The Press., 1919-11-20

ing. 50 saying Sne Crlppeu dCrCSS the soft rug on tiptoe and imparted a slight smack on her mothers cheek, making pretty application of pow der
 "I hope so," answered the elder woman in a tone that did not reflect her daughters confident assertion ; "but we must keep Madge out of the way as much as we can."
 Your fault again." chided Cecile, who, modern-like, never lost an Oppor- tunity to censure her mother. ''When we thought she was going to get mar ried month ago you shouldn't have refused-though we didn't know who it was."
 Hush, Cecile," chided Mrs. Van Dusen gazing quickly at the door to see if they had been overheard. Il promised your father when he died to care for the child of his first wife. And I shall do my duty."
 However painful it may be-" fin ished Cecile, 'only as relieved by the appropriation of her inheritance"
 Mrs. Van Dusen cast an appeal for silence as Cecile laughed out loud Bad thing to have a conscience, moth er," she stated, wagging her head em- phatically, but if I catch Victor Law ton on my line," she added, materializ- ing the hope by the execution of a dizzy pirouette, "Tll-why, I'll let you come and visit us sometimes"
 Mrs. Van Dusen took the seat be- fore low dressing table and gazed at herself from the triple-refiecting mir TOT. A new wrinkle pearr her lips brought another to her forehead.
 "I'm afraid we may have to take Lawton into our confidence. AS he was a warm friend of MT. Van Dusen en out our financial tangle. I have not managed as well as"
 And further condolences were drowned in the buzz of preparation. Such a hustle and hurry as the Van Dusen household saw! Such a scur- rying around and multiplicity of or ders! The telephone never ceased with instructions to caterer, florist and musicians. The doorbell sounded one continual alarm as delivery after de livery was made of mysterious bags and boxes of endless size and shape, whisked away to various rooms as rapidly as they came.
 The great grandfather clock in the hall had scarcely chimed nine as Mrs. gown of black satin, brocaded with giant figures of black jet, descended the stairway to take her stand near the entrance. Cecile followed, her daring costume of garnet-tinted voile, hoOped with bands of similar toned velvet, setting off strikingly white shoulders, exquisite as chiseled marble
 The stream of guests commenced to flow and kept up steady influx until the huge house threatened to become inundated with the flood of people.
 Mrs. Van Dusen had already begun to feel pain in her right arm similar to writer's cramp, but, undaunted, she held her post until she heard the but ler's stentorian voice:
 "Mr. Lawton."
 All the social training Mrs. Van Du- sens mother had instilled in her and all that she had in turn transmitted to her daughter was brought into play and it would have required a far more worldly wise young man than Victor LawtOn to have penetrated the thoughts behind the hostess engaging smile.
 To Cecile he offered his arm, and they passed into the drawing room the center of which had been cleared for dancing, and to the strains of a soft, mystic melody emanating from a stringed orchestra cleverly concealed behind some palms they circled the smooth floor.
 With her own purpose and her mothers entangling fnanciering in mind. Cecile shortly complained of the close u, losphere and led the way into tiny alcove which had formerly done service as desk space for her father until night thieves had broken in anl stolen valuables locked in the escri toire. their presence undetected owing to the seclusion of the corner Cecile had chosen the location wisely
 And as you make your entrance into society,"" ventured Lawton by way of conversation, 'I had hardly antici pated how charming a debutante you would make"
 Cecile smiled. Womanlike she liked compliments 10 be paid her, and never sought the motive prompting them But his remark was her opportunity "Oh, have other worries besides my coming-out." Lawton laughed. "Yes l have" she reiterated, flor now ] must get married" And in the so phistication of her twenty years Cecile modestly dropped her eyes; knowing how lovely her long lashes appeared resting on her cheeks.
 LawtOn shuffled his feet uneasily and ran his finger around the inside of his collar. Cecile was sitting perilous- ly close. "Well, why not?" he ven- tured.
 Cecile pretended to be taken by sur