Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-24
Daily Short Story
Out of the Lap of the Idle.o
COMPLETE IN THIS ISSuE
, ny =, ,, LILL, H EsrEL,.E HALrEn,s.

inert. sluggish heap. Did we say all all
| Chicago?
| In the blue fountain room Of the La
| Sale the thermometer remained stead,
| NY at comfortable degree. The ia
nous fountain was like cool. shaded
vale The music came softly. deli
| ciously from some secluded corner; the
| lights were low and soft. and attentive
walters battered solici;ously about
| men and women who souCh, Measure
! while others worked
At table in the coolest and pref
| TEST spot Of the coolest and pretticst
! place of pleasure sat Amy Russell: and
! opposite her. lolling comfortably with
Z rehlled glass at his elbow and
| cigar between his long. slender fingers
was Charles Holz. society's idol.
| Amy. If you persist In gazing rap
tell you-and Jealous man stops at
nothing" Charlie told the ..irl.
Don't be silly" Amy answered. re-
| moving with difficulty here eyes from
| the sparkling mist. and smiling slowly.
IT'S not very complimentary to
sentiemans self,esteem to have his
his wttiest remarks fall fiat tell
! YOU Amy. / won't have it, he COM
| planned.
The girl forced hersel- to center her
| interest on him. and smiled her sweet
cst-the way that he could never with
| stand Charles Holz was surely hand
some. with the poise and easy grace OF
| W
tremely wealthy. Girls of her set were
looking with envy at Amy Russell
| Well. what was the last bit of wis
dom that was lost?" she asked archly.
| but with something of sarcasm.
II 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 i good days work."
Hc raised his glass and swallowed
eagle eyed waiter refiied It D, unobt rue
| sively.
Whats the use OF tiIling the soil
whoa there's plenty of soil in the till?
Resides. working is such bore II
rouGhcns ones hands," he laughed re-
Stunning his cigar.
Amy's great eyes lowered to the
! level OF the mans hands. then, with a
/ slight curl of her lips. she turned them
| away.
"A man" she said. IAN able bodied
| The man WINGED.
surely wouldn't call that ch iGu: on
Her cool gaze met his.
| Your father is merely following out
the saying that charity begins at
home rW, she she answered;
fou charming little preachers! II
TO cut short your sermon by kissing
II from your lovely lips he said play
fully. On the level. Amy. don't know
| the hoE or the what about work.
\ man in officers uniform, with a
| little old lady in stift, black silk. on
mas arm, passed their table and they
| seated themselves at the one opposite
| lie waved OF the polite waiter, who Of
| tcrcu TO assist the woman and he him
self gently. very gently. in the wonder
ful way that good st ong men have for
the weak. helped her with her wraps
| and chair.
y sudden flush dyed Amy's face and
neck. as she said to her companion:
There's your answer"
AS Amy Russell and Charles Holz
and his yes met those of the girl He
flushed a little under his tan and the
girl stopped short. She recognized in
him her sewing woman's brother
whom she had barely favored with :.
glance. lie knew her as the beautiful
and proud society girl.
der white hand and he rose. Now it
was i,, her turn to flush. Her hand felt
Mr.. DENNY. I believer" Amy asked.
1es. Miss Russell. and Mrs. DENLY.
pride. wy" 'e"uei
Amy smiled and murmured her greet
ing to tho little mother of the great
cort.. For the first time in her life
S SIr t Sh, sense OF shame IN presenting
h;rlstoGTat. the idol of society," He
l9oked SO weak. so effeminate, SO for
5iisn before this great, stalwart SOL
When she found herself on the side
IVA ma' . oeins handed into the limousine
ny tne attentive Charles. she was still
under the spell OF the frank eyes and
in inc h hrm a. cIl;asp. She sat speechless. lost
suddenly she ,awoke with a little shr;nI..
OF terror. Something soft, warm and
sShsI oak w Was do Sreening over her hand
| holZ soft, white. beautifullv-ksnt fn
gers; : e'e mn
you So DEAR" he murmured Close +"
Eui MitGiityn'n rs IN, she answered
ANY he whispered passionateir,
want vor her 10 him. Il love you. /
cannot bear to have You look a now ";h l
ih,. nIa WIN SO much admiration / must
she shrank from his embrace
p"ssSSionate voice and words ''
oh. niease me n,s amS'" l,h he begged.
Tha not now" Amy cried
INC mans ardor died away
way J from, must ISL !! nate me-to shrink that
No, no, charlie!" the girl Cried
| ne whispered earnestly.
Oh. you don't understand. c,n,,
troubled eyes win
T WhenI my darling. when?" he asked.
| you become a man.
Charlie Holz shrank back against
the the cushions ,h in angry. hurt pride, and
I N
| strained silence. Then, slowly. he bent
| MS handsome head until his Inns
| brushed her fingers reverently.
understand he said simply.
II was late in November The wind
sighed and groaned ominously through
| naked trees. The creators OF Thanks
| giving Day were wise and kind. in
| deed. II is the only warm cheerful
| spot in chilly-breathed November
In the great, luxurious living room
| Russell
| fingers were busily engaged All
| worked seriously. All were bentson
the Improvement of time, not tho Kill
! ing of it. Necessity had touched the
! idle dowagcr" and frivolous debut
! tante at last. They felt it through their
sons. their brothers: their .sweethearts.
sitting more quietly hut not less
| busily was Amy, the beautiful dauEh-
ter OF the house. She sighed. rose and
! walked to the window. with half
| finished dust-colored garment hang
ing from her arm. Something on