The Colorado statesman., 1919-08-30

worth angling fOr-ull the more deSir-
able since he exhibited no inclination
10 he caught. Divers We're the schemes
mothers of daughters. ready to con
Sder career" inyen ed to entice
he wary fish into the matrimonial net.
For indeed Victor l.uwton was
most desirable specimen of prospec-
i've husband. He was tall. but not too
tall to seem towering with short
companion.
He was stocky. but by no means
1eshy. He was of good family, bui
came from neither blue blood nor yell
low. He was lawyer of sound repu-
tation and good business acumen.
while the definiteness of his income
from n few select clients compensated
for their lack of number.
And that he had personality is at
tested when the fellows dubbed him
n bully chap" and the girls-well, the
girls thought him too handsome for
anything"
"And So" Mrs. Van Dusen. leader of
the towns upper set. complimented
herself. 81 have done well to squeeze
I
TO be present at your debut tonight.
The rest, my darling daughter, is up
TO you" And she extended her hand
toward a pretty and sophisticated
thing of twenty in an I've done my
share" manner.
My name isn't Cecile Van Dusen."
came the reply with a rolling of big,
hazel-colored eyes in the prescribed
fashion commonly known as 'vamp
ing" So saying she tripped across
the soft rug on tiptoe and impaired
a slight smack on her mothers cheek,
making pretty application of pow
der.
II hope So" answered the elder
woman in 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 10 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"
flush, Cecile," chided Mrs. Van
Dusen gazing quickly ut 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 l 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 Cecle laughed out loud.
Bad thing to have a conscience, moth
err" she stated, waggng her head EN-
phatically, but If catch Victor Law
ton on my line" she added. materializ-
ing the hope by the execution of a
dizzy pirouette. "fll-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-rehecting mir
ror. A new wrinkle pear her lips
brought another to her forehead.
I'm afraid we may have to take
Lawton into our confidence. AS he
was war friend of Mr.. Van Dusen
he might be willing TO quietly straight
managed as we'll as"
And further condolences were
drowned in the buzz of preparation.
Such hustle and hurry as the Van
Dusen household saw! Such sour
rytng 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 rs they came.
The great grandfather clock in the
hail had scarcely Chimed nine as Mrs.
Van Dusen. reSplendent in an evening
gown of black satin, brOcaded with
giant figures of black jet, descended
the stairway to take her stand near
the entrance. CeciIe followed, her
daring costume of garner-tnted voile.
hooped with bands of similar toned
velvet. setting off strikingly white
shoulders. exquisite as chseled marble.
The stream of guests commenced to
tlow and kept up steady influx until
the huge house threatened TO become
inundated with the flood of people.
Mrs. Van Dusen had already begun
10 feel a 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:
MIR. 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 far more
worldly wise young man than Victor
| Lawton to have penetrated the
thoughts behind the hostess engaging
smile.