The midland journal., 1916-01-28

~ la---z7S~
1t was Alix that discovered Alan as
the Elenic steamed slowly down the
Solent. He was already comfortably
established in his chair with small
pile of fiction beside him.
She paused before she approached
him Alan had always interested her.
Alix had thought of him heretofore
as modern exquisite subject to atavic
fits that, in times past, had led him
into more than one barbarous esca-
pade. Now in London she had by chance
heard things of him that forced her to
readjustment of her estimate. In six
months Alan had turned himself into
mystery.
"Well," she said, coming up behind
him, 'show are your
Alan turned his head slowly and
then threw or his rugs and sprang
to his feet.
saThe sky is clear" he said. "where
did you drop fromY' His eyes meas
ured her. She was ravishing in fur
toque and coat which had yet to re-
ceiye their baptism of import duty.
"Oh," said Alix. "my presence is
humdrum. Just the usual returning
from six weeks abroad. But you! You
come from the haunts of wild beasts
and from all accounts you have been
one"
"Been one! From all accounts!' ex-
claimed Alan, puzzled frown on his
face. "Just what do you mean?"
They started walking. 81 meant that
even in Africa one can't hide from Pic
cadilly. In Piccadilly you are already
known. Not as Mr.. Alan Wayne, a
New York social satellite, but as a
whirlwind in shirt sleeves. Ten Per
cent Wayne, in short" She looked
at him with teasing archness. She
could see that he was worried.
Satellite is rather rough" remarked
Alan. 81 never was that"
"All bachelors are satellites in the
nature of things-satellites to other
mems wives"
"Have you a vacancy?" said Alan.
They both knew they were embark
ing upon a dangerous game. but Alix
played 1t often. No pretty woman
takes her European degree without
ample occasion for practice and ak
had been through the European mill.
She threw out her daintily shod feet
as she walked. She was full Of life.
She felt like skipping. The light OF
battle danced merrily in her eyes. She
made no other reply.
II met lots of people we both know"
she said, at last.
(which one of them passed on the
news that had taken to the ways OF
a wild beast?"
"Oh, that was the Honorable Percy.
only caught few words. He was
telling about a man known as Ten
Percent Wayne and the only time he'd
ever seen tie shirt-sleeve policy work
with natives. When I learned 1t was
Africa. linked up with you at once
and screamed and he turned to me and
said. You know Mr.. Wagner But
just then Lady Merle signaled the re-
treat, and when the men came out
somebody else snafiled Collingeford be-
fore got chance"
"Oh. Colingeford." said Alan, II
remember" He frowned and was 81
lent
"Alan." said Allx after a moment.
''let me warn you. see a new ten
dency in you but before it goes
any further than a tendency LET
me tell you that a thoughtful
man Is a most awful bore. When
I caught sight of you thought. What
a delightful little party but If you're
going to be penslve there are others
Alan glanced at her "Alix," he
said. mimicking her tone. 81 see in you
the makings of an altogether charming
woman. I'm not speaking of the
painstalIing veneer-I suppose you
need that in your walk of life-hut
what's under it. There may be others.
as you say. Pretty women have taken
to wearing men for bangles. But don't
you make mistake. I'm not BAN
gle. I've just come from the unclothed
world Of real things. To me a man is
Just a man and, what's more. woman
is just woman"
SLOW un-American," said Alix-
''It's more than that" said Alan.
sits pre-Ameriean.
Alix was thoughtful in her turn.
Alan caught her by the srm and turned
her toward the vest. A yawl was just