The Washington herald., 1917-07-16

. ..eSiecteu WIZ, Ihe woman
" Etc.
There was a stirred silence as Miss
Irene Benton, dramatic reader, made
her entrance. She also affected the
Grecian draperies. Her gown OF dull
blue, having only one shoulder strap,
barred the other shoulder and half of
her back. A silver cord girdled her
waist and a silver fillet handed her
heavy dark hair. combed low over
her ears
"A fine lot of nuts" muttered War
rem. who detested any affectation In
dress
Il shall first read you a love SON.
net by Lucille Witherby. You are
all familiar with Miss Witherby's ex-
qulslte verse. This sonnet in particu-
lar has aroused much comment"
Then with a bowling smile to the
pianist. MIR. Phillips has very kindly
arranged the musical accompani nj
ment"
After the applause that greeted this
announcement. Miss Benton, in u
tragic. deep-throated voice that
wrestled with Mr.. Phillips untunefuI
accompaniment. proceeded to read.
q love,I cannot touch thee with my
yearning
My naked soul is faint with raptur-
Gus Churning.
/ was thy love. ], whom thou drea med
and wOOCd
In swooning ecstacy thy vision
stewed.
Beloved. o how sad the Springtime
Our souls have seen the passings of
our jeans.
The sea and earth TO wall our pas
siOn's wane
The voice of our lost longing howls
with pain
a deep hush followed this rendition.
a hush that was meant to imply an
appreciation too profound for ap-
plause. Then whispered comments
of How exquisite! What feeling.
What color"
What rot" mimicked Warren un-
der his breath. and Helen, alarmed,
nudged him to silence
Two other love sonnets equally i'm
pasSioned and equally meaningless
followed. Miss Witherby seated near
the piano, leaned back with closed
eyes as though in soaring ecstacy at
the beauty of her own lines.
oh, LOrd.' groaned Warren, as
Professor Emile Berkerwitz." pallid
and long haired. in an ill-fitting dress
suit, was now introduced for a piano
solo.
His light caress OF a few treble
notes was a misleading prelude to
the frcnzied onslaught that followed.
The piano qUaked under the stormy
charge and was appeased by a
soothing. almost soundless, trill. The
bass cannonading alternated with
a weak, high quaver. The finale was
ear-splitting, the fury gradually dy-
ing down to an exhausted, expiring
note.
He might give us the 'Barber-shop
Rag as an antidOte," muttered War
ren, when, in response TO an enthu-
siastic applause, Professor Berker-
witz resumed his seat for an encore
selection even more nerve-racking
and discOrdant.
Il should say this program called
for pretty stiff bracer," was War
ren's grunted comment, as two wait
ers with punch-laden trays, now ap-
peared.
Having washed down a morsel of
pink frosted cake with a half-filled
glass of weak claret punch, Warren
was now glumly intent on making his
escape.
There's another draped female
just showed up! Come on, let's beat
it before she pulls OH her stunt"
Fearing his caustic comments would
be overheard if she forced him to
stay, Helen approached the hostess
with an effusive assurance of their
enjoyment of the evening.
Never again!" announced Warren
grimly, when, a few moments later
they reached the street THE next
time you want to take in one of those
nut parties-you'll go by your lone
some"
In her efforts to repress warren's
criticisms, Helen had forgotten the
rouge. But as their own glaringly
lit elevator took them up, in the mir
rored panel she met his gaze fixed
upon her with a sudden stern intent
ness.
Her protecting head scarf had fallen
back, and Helen was panicky con-
scious that no rouge could defy the
merciless light from those unshaded
bulbs.
1T must be after one," nervously,
when they entered their hall. "I'n hur-
ry all l can. You don't have to un-
hook me-this fastens in front"
But her hasty escape to her room
was checked by Warren's ominous:
Come in here"'
why. dear; it's SO late, I'd bet
ter"
Come In here. tell you," with a
grim. menacing note. as he switched
on the lights.
Fearfully Helen shrank back, as
with a firm grip on her arm he drew