Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-13
Continued

There was no more sleep, however,
in the big dark eyes than there had
been in Billy's the night before. Mrs.
Stuart herself drew the blinds in the
delft-like blue and white cretonne
| room, and covered her grown-up
daughter to the chin with fluffy
blue and white coverlet, and tip-toed
away; but she was called back be-
fore she had quite closed the door,
and was hauled down on the edge of
the bed, and was talked to most
allotted nap time. There was so
much to talk about, with all these
gay parties coming 'on. She hoped
that Billy's friends would like her;
and Mrs. Stuart smiled happily over
that absurd trace of worry in Tavy's
tone.
Now began the hustle and excite
ment of making ready for the the
ater. There was a brand new gown
of black lace for Mummy Stuart, or
dered in defiance of her wistful pro-
test, and this was to be it's very first
wearing. For Tavy there was a pearl
white gown of soft chiffon. quite
simply made, and needing no other
adornment than the sloping shoulders,
and the graceful neck, and the su-
perbly beautiful head of Tavy~ herself.
such innocent pleasure she took in
the picture of the two, one in black
and one in white, with Billy between
them so big and strong and hand
some.
Now they had to stop and bother
with dinner. And now they were in
the full drive and furry and hubbub
of dressing. And now they were all
ready, gloves in hand, full twenty
minutes before the time and look
ing at the tiny Dresden clock on the
mantel every three minutes, and gaz-
ing down out of the bay window to
see what machines were stopping at
the door.
Now it was seven-thirty the time
Billy had said he would call! And
now 1t was seven -thirty-five. Tavy
sparkling quite enough TO make up
for the beautiful diamond she was
concealing, began to draw on her
gloves. The tiny Dresden clock was
probably fast. Mrs. Stuart was sit
ting with that smiling patience in her
eyes, her hands folded loosely in her
lap. She already wore her gloves.
She was very handsome indeed, in her
black lace gown and her gray hair,
and her black cloak, with its touches
of silver lace, lying on the chair be-
side her.
Seven n-forty- Tavy was sitting
perfectly still, with only an occasional
Jerky rock. OF course it was impos-
sible always to be punctual to the
minute. One shouldn't expect it in q
city where the traffic is so frequently
blocked; and besides, there is always
a defective tire to consider. Tires
were not made for schedule purposes.
Eight O'Clock! What could be the
matter! Billy has never been late
before. Mrs. Stuart sits in quiet
patience, but Tavy is walking the
nd IN,
Watching the clock, and sitting down,
to keep sweet and unflurried.
Eight-fifteen! Eight-thirty! Wild
visions of dreadful accidents pop
through Tavy's head, one after an
other. Something terrible has surely
happened! She sees Billy manned and
mangled in a dozen different ways:
she sees him hauled out from the
wreckage of his car; she sees him
lying dead on the pavement, unidenti-
ned; she sees everything, each flash
ing vision more terrifying than the
last! She is half frantic. She wants
to call up the police. She listens for
the shrill cries of newsboys in the
street. There may have been some
awful disasteri
Nine o'clock! Tt is maddening to
be woman, and helpless, and given
only the privilege of waiting!
Nineteen! The enchanted elevator
stops with a click outside in the hall.
Before the bell can ring, Tavy has
hurried to the door and has swung
1t wide open, and there, at last, stands
Billy, at the entrance to the en-
chanted parlor!
Billy is not in his. dress clothes
He is in gray business suit, and his
race Is red and his hair tousled. His
eyes are bleared and glistening. and
there is foolish grin on his face.
Guess I'm little late" mumbles
Billy with hearty fellowship
but with a thick tongue. BROKE
away at last, and I'm here"
The silence in the poor little en-
chanted pink and gray parlor is ap-
palling! Tavy stands some distance
pack from the door, stiff and notion
less, her big eyes staring, and every
trace of the delicate tinting gone from
her delicate cheeks. There is a moan
and sob from Mrs. Stuart, as she
realizes the truth. Billy is drunk.