The Tomahawk., 1918-05-30

guese pirate, arrived at the Morton's
masque, that night, the dancing had
been under way for some time. +,
"The Poinsettia must be some pro-
fessional dancer" Dunton heard some
one behind him say. "I've meyer seen
anything like her in our set. She's
great"
DuntOn's glance swept the floor
where crimson flash swirled on a
yellow background. There was clap
ping of hands and the other dancers
fell back and left the floor to those
who were receiving the applause. The
girl was gOwned in a shower of pOtn-,
settias cut from scarlet silk and flung
over yellow satin underslip, and she
danced with poiseful perfection and
supple surety that was startling.
"Ah" murmured Dunton, "Poinset-
tia" And he stepped through the
fringe of people on the edge of the ball
room with his hand on his sword.
Crouching ferociously. he advanced
slowly In step with the waltz threat
ening the dancers. There was an in
stant's hush and then sudden applause.
Everyone thought it was arranged-a
bit of entertainment, as it were. Even
the Spanish grandee who danced with
Poinsettia played his part, for he
swung his fair partner behind him and
drew his rapier. -
Dunton knew him ina minute. 1t
was Ferris, with whom he'd crossed
feils at the club many times. Poin-
settia lowered about them as they
circled there, the ring of their blades
swinging in time with the music. Then
suddenly the grandee slipped on. the
polished floor. Dunton leaped over his
PROSTATE form, swung the surprised
Poinsettia over his shoulder and sped
straight through the applauding crowd.
into the conservatory and out, to the
balcony beyond. Here he slid her
down from his shoulder and Struggled
her into his arms, sitting the while
against the balcony rail- She never
moved-and said not word, so he
stripped the mask up over her fore
head and looked down into her wide
gray eyes.
"You-you wouldn't" she protested,
struggling bit when she saw mis- In
tention in his eyes.
ooh, wouldn't l." chuckled Dunton.
do you suppose a man who would
steal purse would miss chance to
steal kiss"
LET me go, pirate DEAR" she insist
ed. my aunt is so fussy about who
kisses me-and I think she's on your
TRAIL"
Dunton released her swiftly. For
so long a time had he been lodging
aunts and mammals bent on garnering
his scalp for matrimonial purposes,
that the reaction was almost autOmat-
ic, and before he could recover him
self, Poinsettia had slipped out of his
arms and danced back into the house.
Nor, try as he would, could he get
within reach of her alluring, elusive
self again that evening.
At eleven the next morning, Poin-
settia turned reluctantly from her
toast, and reached for the telephone.
"It's Mr.. Dunton, MISS" said the
maid.
Goodness" thought Poinsettia. 1T
took seven years to get that man
started, and now suppose it'll take the
rest of my natural life to get him
stopped. Men are so contrary!"
"Oh-Mr. Dunton? Let me see
did I meet you last night at the Nor
ton's?"
His answer must have been an Inn
patient one. r
"You seem to be in such hurry,
Mr.. Dunton. and I'm only just getting
up. Would you mind calling me to-
morrow, or-the day after?" And she
hung up with little laugh.
An hour later she had just finished
dressing when her aunt ent4 red, a lit
tie breathlessly.
do hurry, like a good girl" she
begged. "Wilbert Dunton is waiting
downstairs-says you're expecting
him.
"Expecting him! That robber? The
idea! Seven years ago he stole my
young heart-yesterday he stole my
purse-last night he stole, well, any
way, he kissed me against my will.
Now what does he want?' She leaned
over and looked into the glass, giving
her hair a pat. evil I do?" she
asked brightly, twirling around on her
toes. And then she tripped down the
stairs demurely as her aunt smiled ap-
prevail.
"Poinsettiaw Dunton caught her as
she tried to elude him.
"Pfrate!" said POinsettia, with back
flung head and wide eyes full Of mys-
terry.
And five minutes later Poinsettia's
aunt tiptoed by the door, pretending
not to see them.
'Young people are 500 elemental"
she murmured, $50 elemental"