Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-17
use Of in describing vick's character
would be Touch-me.not. believe

use Of in describing vick's character
would be Touch-me-not. I believe
there's a flower called that-noli me
tangere-or some such name. Wen,
that's Vicky Van. She'd laugh n
jest with you, and then If o said
anything by way Of a personal COM
pliment or lirtatious foolery. she was
of and away from your side, X q
th~istle-down in a summer breeze. She
was a witch, a madcap, but she had
her own way in everything, and her
friends did her will without question.
Her setting, too, just suited her. Her
living room vas one Of those very
narrow, very deep rooms so often seen
in the New York side streets. 1t was
done up in French gray and rose, as
was the, dictum of the moment. On
the rose-brocaded walls were few pic
lures, but just the right ones. Gray
enameled furniture and deep win
dow-seats with r~osecolored cushions
provided resting-places, and soft
rose-shaded lights gave a mild glow
Of illumination.
Flowers were everywhere. Great
bowls of roses, jars of pink carnations
and occasionally a vase of pink
orchids were on mantel, low book
cases or piano. And sometimes the
odor of a cigarette OF a burning
pastille of Oriental fragrance, added
to the Bohemian effect which is, oft
sense of smell.
Vicky herself, detested perfumes or
doors of any kind, save fresh flowers
hemianisn, when it meant uncOnven-
fiona1 1rocc mr. mopnarS mr. 1O1l6.
voiced jests or songs.
Her house was dainty, correct and
artistic, and yet, I knew it's atmos-
phere would not please my Aunt
Lucy, Or be just the right place for
Winnie.
Many of the guests I knew. Cassie
Weldon was a concert singer and
Afladne Gale an artist of some prom
inence, both socially and in her art
circle. Jim Ferris and Bailey Mason
were actors of a good sort, and Bert
Garrison. a member of n of my
best clubs, was a fast rising archi-
tect. Steele hadn't come yet.
Two tables Of bridge were playing
in the back part of the room. and in
the rest Of the rather limited space
several couples were dancing.
"Mayn't we open the doors to the
dining room, Vicky?" called out one
Of the card players. THE calorics of
this room must be about ninety in
the shade"
"Open them a little way" returned
Miss Van Allen. But not wide, for
there's a surprise supper and I don't
want you to see 1t yet"
They set the double doors a. few
inches ajar M went on with their
p0 m Tho 13njnr t01rN On r 1~nxy
a wide room that ran all across
the house behind both living-room
and hall. 1t vas beautifully decorat-
ed in pale green and silver, and often
Vicky Van would have a surprise
supper" at which the favors Of en-
tertainers would be well worth wait
ing for.
Having greeted many whom I knew,
I looked about for further speech
with my hostess.
She's upstairs in the music ROOM"
said Cassie Weldon, seeing and in
terpreting my questing glance.
THANK you, lady, for those kind
words" 1 called back over my
shoulder. and went upstairs.
The front room on the second floor
said, because there was a banjo in it.
Sometimes the guests brought more
banjos and a concert of glees and col
lege songs would ensue. But. more
often, as tonight, it was a little haven
Of rest and peace from the laughter
and jest below stairs.
1t was an exquisite white and gold
room, and here, too, as 1 entered, pale
pink shades dimmed the lights to a
soft radiance that seemed like a
breaking dawn.
Vicky sat enthroned on a white
divan, her feet crossed on a gold-em-
white satin footcushion.
In front Of her sat three or four of
her guests all laughing and chatting.
But he vowed he was going to get
ing.
whats his name?" asked vicky,
though in a voice of little interest.
"Somers.' returned Mrs. Reeves.
Never heard of him. Did you, Mr..
Calhoun +" and Vicky Van looked up
at me as I entered.
mo; Miss Van Allen. Who is he?"
II don't know and I don't care.
Only as Mrs. Reeves says he is COM
ing here tonight, I'd like to know
about him."
Coming here! A man you don't
know?" I drew up a chair to join
the group. How can he I"
MIR. Steele is going to bring him."
said Mrs. Reeves. He says-Nor-
man Steele says, that Mr.. Somers is
a f%rst-class a%ll-around chap. and no
end of fun. Says he's a millionaire"
Whats a millionaire more Or less
to me?" laughed Vicky. II choose
my friends for their lovely character.
not for their wealth."
yes, you've selected all Of us for
that, dear" agreed Mrs. Reeves. but
this Somers gentleman may be
too"
Mrs. Reeves vas a solid, sensible sort
Of person, who acted as ballast for
the volatile Vicky, and sometimes
her in a mild way.
II love the child" she had said to
once, land she is a little brick.
But once in a while / have to tell her
a few things for the good Of the COM
munity. She takes it all like an
"Well. don't care" yickv went
on. Norman Steele has no right to
bring anybody here whom he hasn't
asked me about. II / don't like him,
shall ask some Of you nice. amiable
men to get sme a long plank, and
we'll put 1t out Of a window. and
make him walk IT,. Shall we?
We all agreed to do this, or to tar
and feather and ride on a rail any
who might in any way be
unfortunate az to fall one iota short
Of Vicky Vans requirements.
"And now" said Vicky, 'If you'll
all please go downstairs. except Mrs.
and Mr.. Garrison and my Dwn
sweet self, I'll be orqy obliged to.
The sweeping gesture with which
she sought to dismiss us was q wave
red lips. and /, for one. found It i'm
to obey. I started with the
rest. and then after the gay crowd
part way down stairs I turned
back.
"Please. maXn,t ] ioin YOUR little