Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-24
Daily Short Story
COMPLETE IN THIS ISSUE
Out of the Lap of the Idle"
ny LILLIAN E:STEILE u>,r.u,>


tracks and human footprints Rcd
perspring. bareheaded men were driy
,nS matted, overhcated horses. All Chi
Gag" seemed to have collapsed into an
inert. sluggish heap. Did we saw ali
Chicago? 9"
In the blue fountain room OF tho la
san" the THERMOMETERS remained stead
lily at comfortable degree The f..
nous fountain was like cool shaded
vale. The music came softly. dcIt-
.iousiy from some secluded corner: the
men and women who sought pleasure
while others worked.
Al table in the coolest and pref
place Of pleasure sat Amy Russell. and
opposite her. lollinS comfortably. with
:, rehiicd glass at his elbow and a
WAS Charles Holz. society's Idol.
Amy, if you persist in gazing ran.
turously At the fountain. I'll have the
management remove it. I'm jealous
tell you-and a jealous man stops at
nothing" Charlie told the ,,irl
Don't be silly" Amy answered. 70.
moving with difficulty here eyes from
tho sparkling mist. and smiling slowly
Its not very complimentary to
questions remained unanswered and
his wittiest remarks fall fiat. tell
YOU Amy. | won't have it," nc com
planned.
interest on him. and smiled her sweet
est--thc way that he could never with
stand Charles Hoz was surely hand
some. with the poiSe and easy grace OF
an aristocrat--and he WAS wealthy, OK
trcmely wealthy. Girls of her set were
looking with envy at Amy Russell
Well. what was the last bit Of wis
dom that was lost?" snc asked archIv.
out with something of sarcasm.
Il was just trying to tell you one OF
the ripping good jokes that I heard at
the show Yesterday afternoon"
Yesterday afternoon! Charlie. don't
you ever put In good days work?'
He raised his glass and swallowed
it's contents in single Gulp. The
cagleteyed waiter rehlled it unobtru-
sivcly.
What's the use of tllng the soil
when there's plenty of soil in the till?
besides working is such bore. 1t
roughcns ones hands" he laughed, re-
suininS his cigar.
An,y's great eyes lowered to tho
level OF the mans hands. then, with
slight curl Of her lips, she turned them
away.
"A man" she said IAN able bodied
The man WINGED.
But it's father" he cried. You
surely wouldn't call that charity9'
Her cool gaze nc, his.
Your father is merely following out
home.t' she answered.
You charming little preacher, IL
you don't Quit this moment, I'm going
1t from YOUR lovely lips" he said play
fully. ION tho level Amy ! don't know
the how or the what about work"
y man in officers uniform, with q
little old lady in stiT, black silk on
has arm. passed their table and they
seated Themselves at the one opposite
He waved off the polite waiter who Of
tered To assist the woman and he him
self gently. very gently. in the wonder
full way that good, st ons men have for
the weak. helped her with her wraps
and chair.
y sudden Hush dyed Amy's face and
neck, as she said to her compa Mon:
There's your answer"
AS Amy Russell and Charles Holz.
| rose TO 20, the soldier raised his head
ana his yes met those OF the girl. He
flushed little under his tan, and thea
riri stopped short. She recognized In
him her sewing woman's brother,
whom she had barely favored with a
glance. tIe knew her rs the beautiful
and proud society girl.
tmpulsively. she extended her slen-
dor white hand and he rose Now it
was her turn to Hush. Her hand felt
SO little and useless and pitiful in his
Mr.: DENLY, believe" Amy asked
les, Miss Russell. and Mrs DENLY
my mother" he answered with tender:
Amy smiled and murmured her greet
boy, thcn turned to Introduce her es-
rort. For the first time in her life
s sIr ic Ell sense of shame in presenting
MI charles iiolz the millionaire. the
arl%toHrat. the idol of society, He
looked so weak. so efreminatc. so fop-
niSh before this great, stalwart SOL
When she found herself on the side
wa ma'k oeinG handed into the limousine
ny tne attentive Charles, she was still
uin n e., me spell Of the frank eyes and
me lrm clasp. She sat speechIess, lost
Suddenly she awoke with n Iittic shrin,
Of terror. Something soft warm and
She I LmE Was rrsepinS over her nand
liol"s soft, white. beautifulIy-kept An.
serS; ep' ~" -
What in the world has frightened
her ear. " ne "'"r""red close to
",Nothins-nothine." she answered.,
" "Hmyy gehm IN h piushins him from her
" gray, her to him, II love You.
S ANN sb bns + to ~ marry AIRY, me soon now /
men with So much admiration umct
nave yoU--now,' ''hst
M S enc shrank from his embrace and
P"o in,onhie "c:vs and words
"on: please. please. ch ha iRiesf I Cant,
The mans ardor died aw 'aV
on must hate mc-to shrink ,ba,
W." No ron" mn me- ne, ne said huskily
Then why not he married at once D..
u" whispered earnestly
On YOU don't understand can,
troubled eyes VIII
When: my darling. when?" he asLed
Won men Snc6 Slowly Amy answered: When
'hariie Hol@ shr"nk back against
me cushions IN 'nery. hurt pride, and
FOR long time they sat Thus in
strained silence. Then, slowly. he bent
ms handsomc head until his Inns
brushed her fingers reveNently
understand" he said simply
|, was late in November. The wind
sighed and Sroancd oIninously through
naked trees. The creators OF Thanks
giving Day were wise and kind. In
decd T. is the only warm, cheerful
SPOT in chilly brcathed November
In inc great. luxurious living room
Of the Russell mansion tongues and
fingers were busily engaged. All
worked seriously. All We're bent on