The Washington times., 1919-10-16

Copyright 1915. king Features Syndicate
Inc.
II Twas with q gasp OF amusement
that stepped over the
= threshold Of the ballroom at
Carriers. Naturally Valerie Cosby
had taken charge Of the arrange
ments for her own dance, and those
arrangements passed any flights Of
which my imagination was capable.
The thought pf the cost staggered
me
A soft green light psrvadsd
everything, The great ballroom
had been made to look like a fairy
tale grotto under the sea In the
center was a fountain OF crystal
spray, sparkling in green and blue
light, and in the pool below tt float
ed white water. At one end Of the
room there was a crystal grotto
leading OF to a conservatory hung
in rare sea plants. At the further
end two giant shells Of pale pink,
one 70 hold the orchestra, playing
Hawaiian Waltzes. was draped IN
green aeaWeed and red hibiscus.
The other was half hidden behind
moss-hung rocks that looked like
ellis. From 1t the band blared out
ons-steps. The chandeliers were OF
crystal, and green lights played on
them and the crystal balcony.
In this strange light the women
moved around like pale WFaiths,
weighed down with brOcades and
tissues and cleaning Jewels
"Eyeryone looks half-droWued,"
muttered Jim. You're white lilac
now, Anne" he looked critically at
my simple costume OF pale green
silk, hung with petal on petal Of
cloudy lavender tulle.
Now a soft gold radiance lighted
the crystal gTotto. and q big sea
she'll chariot, drawn By white
ponies, swung out OF ft. In this sat
Valerie Cosby, creamy and beauti-
ful in the light. that served to
soften her ripe lips and bring out
sea-Weed glints in her lacquer
black hair Valerie. smiling IN
ianguorous triumph. and kissing
her hand and crying aloud a well
TO every one. Valerie resplen-
dent in the blue and green robe
about which she had built her
whole evening.
There were dozens OF people I
did not know handful I knew
slightly. And our own party-Vir-
ginia, Phoebe, Envy, the RoyceS.
Sheldon, Dick West. Jim, and /
Tom Mason would come later.
At first I dreaded his coming.
Then, as I began to be uncomfort-
ably aware that our party was
short one man, I started to wish he
would hurry. And presently I
found myself mischieveOusly re-
d inc "a HaHH
when told Tom that / was at last
rid OF his unwelcOnhe gift
I was dancing with Lane Cosby,
who numbered heavily in middle
aged. uninspired fashion, when sud
denly the lights shimmered from
green to silver shot with blue
Pretty nifty moonlight eject
eh, what2' asked my host. Little
Val got this all up herself and made
'em turn their decorators loose
Cost a pretty penny-but wen have
to send the market down a few
points so some fools unload, and
thatll pay for Vars party"
IT'S wonderful" I said family,
trying not to understand Lane Cos
by's ideas OF finance.
Walls ball-Or, how I pay VaPs
bill?' asked Mr. Cosby loosely,
aGAAA4AA6 on NY AGAk AAAoANp aAoE @AANAAu
50 I know that he was as heavy
OF foot as Of wit.
I laughed, being fairly sure no
more was required Of me- We were
approaching the door in the side
wall and I saw Tom Mason come
in and stand for a second looking
around the magnificent blue and
green and crystal sea cavern shi-a-
mering in it's man-made moonlight
After an evening Of Lane COsby's
heavy y-handed. heavy footed, heavy
witted attentions was frank
enough with myself to acknowelge
that i was glad to see Tom. Sup
pose he did frighten me a little?
could take care OF myself. as / had
Ofen demonstrated, and a little fear
must prove . great deal more thrill