The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-08

ings to the morals investigating COM
mittee.
Respectfully,
CECILIA DOANE."
Cecilia Doane," Mrs. Parminter re-
peated, II met her some time ago and
she is a wonder. She is the type Of
girl should like to see you marry. :"
The professor raised his hands in
silent protest. The kind Of girl his
mother approved was not an infre-
quent topic OF discussion between
them. When he gave the matter any
thought privately he felt that he lean
ed toward celibacy.
"Wll, you 4lust marry some time,
Duncan" she reiterated "and this in
vestigation business may help you to
appreciate girl like Celia Doane.
Go this very evening to the Palace
Hall and see conditions there"
The professor reached for his hat.
and as Mrs. Parminter raised herself
on tip-toe 10 kiss him, he hurrielly
gave her a gentle peck on the lips. She
was dear old mother, he thought.
even IL she did not understand that
her son was grown up. But as he
strobe the path she did not see the
tall, developed men, but tiny lad OF
four, toddling to her for assistance.
The professor acknowledged accept
ance of the commission, and accord
ingly that evening it had scarcely
turned 6 o'clock when he approached
the entrance to the Palace Hall FLAIR
ingly resplenGent, in maze of multi
colorod electric lights. Diffidently he
attempted tc push the bar of the turn
stile. but its resistance directed his
gaze to the admission announcement,
and his hand went to his hip pocket.
From a wallet he produced a ten'dol-
lar bill and tsndered the paper to the
epnnrt'on behind the glass window
She looked lcr scorn.
expect me to break q ten-spot for
4 tlime?"
The professor retrieved the Offend
Ing bill, and as he laid silver coin
In its place he felt the turnsttle give
wav The whole thing reminded him
Of those gum vending machines one
secs in railroad stations-the coin OIL
proper denomination having been de-
posited, the mechanism worked
He entered the hall He was alone
was not this the right place? Down
the aisle he noted an attendant, her
laws working rhythmically on gum
which to sustain the truth OF its adj
vertising that the flavor was perman-
snt, still cast forth its scented sweet
ness. The professor wished he had
The temerity to speak. He would In
luire If this perhaps we're a dull night.
"Sure you don't mean to stand there
and tell me you've neevr been to this
here place before, 90 yuh? Nav, the
crowd don't get together till nearly
TO-"
The professor felt himself properly
rebuffed for his ignorance Of so we'll
known custom and passed Surrtedly
On in a direct line for chair he had
sspied in a far corner. He did not
know how lnnk he had remained in
this semi-ccnscious seclusion when
The music with a tremendous bang
from the drummer, suddenly set into
motion innumerable couples on the
floors center. 1t was a good crowd.
Girls, mostly eighteen to twenty to
twenty-five, were in evidence, theI
inexpensive waists and ill.fitting
skirts by no means lettering the lads,
averaging slightly younger, from re-
auesting them to dance. Here and
there the professor noticed a couple
employing the fashionable, If some
What questionable, stranglehold but
altogether he was there for that ex.
press purpose he could not vet see
any evidence Of misconduct, Perhans
ne thought, public dance halls were
not always evil.
The professor felt her coming to-
ward him and arose to escape. But she
interpreted his move as an advance.
and thrusting ser arm through his
With good-natured comraderie, snug
gled up close to him.
Hello, Cutey; music's swell to.
night; amt it?"
AS he tried to determine how he
could most automatically correct her
imperfect English he found himself
on the other side Of the ropes with the
girl. To him roped-in place always
suggested pTize-flghting. The nrofes-
sor did not know very much about
dancing, aui within few moments
the girl knew he didn't. She had ~
hesttancy in telling him so.
~ guess you amt had so much
practice in dancin'. Let's sit out"
And with a sure step she guided him
safely through the maze of dancers
and deposited him in his corner. "You
look better'n you can dance" and
with the parting thrust she was gone.
Tho professor regretted her hasty de-
parturc. Nc wanted to learn tho name
Of the soporilic perfume she exuded
and he did want to tell her that her
nstucoat showed.