Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-19

| Bobby scarcely heard. lie hurried
forward and welcomed the woman.
She tapped his arm with her fan.
'Leetle Bobbyp she lisped. 81
haven't seen very much of you late
ly. So when Carlos proposed-you
see | don't dance until late. Who is
that behind you? Mr.. Graham, is
it not? He would, maybe, not re-
member me. | danced at a dinner
where you were one night, at Mr..
Wards. Even lawyers, find, take
enjoyment in my dancing"
II remember" Graham said. ut
is very pleasant we are to dine to-
gether." He continued tactlessly;
But, as I've explained to Mr.. Pare
DIES, we must hurry. Bobby and |
lhave an early engagement"
| Her head went up.
IAN early engagement! l do not
often dine in public"
"An unavoidable thing" Graham
explained. Bobby will tell you"
Bobby nodded.
ITS nuisance, particularly when
you're so condescending, Maria"
She shrugged her shoulders. With
Bobby she entered the dining-room
at the heels of Paroles and Graham.
Paroles had foreseen everything.
There were flowers on the table. The
dinner had been ordered. Immedi-
ately the waiter brought cocktails.
Graham glanced at Bobby warm
ingly> He wouldn't, as an example
Bobby appreciated, touch his own
/ Maria held hers up to the light.
Pretty yellow things! I never
drink them"
She smiled dreamiiy at Bobby,
"But see! I shall place this to my
| lips in order that you may make
pretty speeches, and maybe tell me
it is the most divine aperitif you
have ever drunk"
She passed the glass to him, and
Bobby, avoiding Graham's eyes.
wondering why she was so gracious,
emptied it. And afterward fire.
quently she reminded him of his
wine by going through the same
elaborate formula. Probably because
of that, as much as anything else,
constraint grasped the little COM
pany tighter. Graham couldn't hide
his anxiety. Paroles Knocked it with
sneering phrases which he turned
most carefully. Before the meal
was half finished Graham glanced at
his watch.
"We've just time for the $780," he
whispered to Bobby, IF we pick up
tax"
Maria had heard. She pouted.
There is no engagement" she
lisped, "as sacred as a dinner, no
ENHANCEMENT except marriage that
cannot be easily broken. Perhaps
I have displeased you, Mr.. Graham.
Perhaps you fancy l excite unpleas-
ant comment. 1t is unjust. assure
you my reputation is above re-
proach"-her dark eyes twinkled-
certainly in New York"
ut isn't that" Graham answered.
1--WE must go. It's not to be
evaded."
She turned tempestuously.
"Am I to be Inundated so? Car
los! Why did you bring me? Is
all the world to see my companions
leave in the midst of a dinner as if
l were plague-touched Is Bobby
not capable of choosing his own
company?
"You are thoroughly justified,
Maria" Paroles said in his express
sionless tones. Bobby, however,
has said very little about this en-
gagement. I did not know. Mr..
Graham, that you were the arbiter
of Bobby's actions. In way l
must resent your implication that
he is no longer capable of caring
for himself.
Graham accepted the challenge.
He leaned across the table, speaking
directly to Bobby, ignoring the
others:
you've not forgotten what I told
you. Will you come while there's
time? You must see. | can't re-
main here any longer.
Bobby, hating warfare in his pres
ent mood, sought to temporize.
ITS all, right, Hartley. Don't
worry. Tn catch a later train"
| Maria relaxed.
"Ah! Bobby still chooses for him
self"
I'll have enough rumpus," Bobby
muttered, when l get to the Cedars.
Don't grudge me little peace here"
| Graham rose. His voice was dis
couraged.
"I'm sorry. I'll hope, Bobby"
| Without word to the others he
walked out of the room.