The Washington times., 1920-09-27
CHAPTER LxIx.


asins 10 do before her scheme
IL would be perfected. She stifled
sny oualms OF conscience with the
stern reminder TO her naturally frank
self that Il WAS all her dear Bab's
sake.
When the music ceased she re-
Leased Robert, suggesting that ne talk
for a while TO one OF the other girls,
and sought out Mary Jameson.
Mary smiled at her al she ap-
/. preached
Robert Elliot has asked me to give
him a dance after supper she re-
marked. II am quite pleased when
/ consider how many other girls
there are here. OF course II was
natural that he should dance nrst
with Birbara-his hostess-and tnen
with you as her best friend
"Oh, asked him 10 dance with
me-" Daisy told her calmly.
Asked him." Mary gasped- "Oh
Daisy! How could your
because I was determined to SEE
something of him, and he Is so pop
uIar that / knew when other people
got at him ! would not have a
chance. was really rather sur
prised that he consented TO give me
that fox-trot."
That's nothing" Mary remarked
in sffected indifference. "He is al
ways awfuliy good-natured."
II know IT," Daisy agreed, and
yet there Is something l wish ne
would do-soon, while we are walt
ing for supper. Yet I don't like to
ask him."
what is it?" Mary inquired.
"I want awfully to hear him sing
again. Do you suppose he would?
II am sure he would" Mary re-
piled. .if someone he really liked
asked him."
'Then you ask him-won't you?"
Daisy urged.
Mary dimpled at the implied COM
pliment. She looked across at Rob
ert who was talking with Matilda
Chambers.
"Oh, Bobr she called. will you
do me a favor?"
"If / can" he responded.
"Sing something for us-please,
Others took up the request An
yes, Bob-pIease do" they pleaded.
But / am not in very good voice,
Bob began. Then. as the demands
Increased in volume, he laughed
.Tf you really mean it-and II
you will pardon any faults. ne
said. "Ili try. But really it's an
imposition upon you people for me
TO break in upon a dance with my
singing"
II myself think it is rather hard
on you" Miss Cynthia cut In. ana
frankly. l would suggest that you
wait"
She got no further, for her broth.
er interrupted. And j suggest that
L
noww he exclaimed. "Will you'
my lad?" laying his hand on Rob-
Certainly. If you wish it, Rob
ert answered.
without further protest he went
to the piano, the musicians moving
aside at his approach.
"Oh, do you sing without your
. notes and play your own accom-
paniments?" Cynthia asked. as II
to defer the ordeal as long as she
could.
"Yes, Miss Paige. 1 do-if my
friends can stand it," Robert re-
piled briskly. a gleam in his eyes
that made her face flush and turn
away.
Arthur looked about for Barbara
She was standing in the doorway.
her slender figure outlined against
the dark portiere.
In her white dress, with her
shapely head held very straight on
her perfect neck, she made a won
derful picture. Arthur saw Robert
glance at her as he played the open
ing bars OF Kipling's "Gipsy Trail
then drop his eyes to the keys
again.
She did not move when he began
TO sing. nor through the entire
song. The corsage bouquet of deep
red roses. she wore rose and fell
with her swift breathing. Beyond
that, she seemed perfectly com
posed,
Perhaps the eyes were wider and
darker than usual: perhaps the lips
twitched little now and then, but
only the keen gaze of love would
have detected these signs.
BARBARA JOINS IN.
When the song was ended she
Joined in the clapping Of hands that
followed.
mo don't stop yet" Arthur
urged as Robert started to leave the
L..