Oxford Democrat., 1921-07-12

(@. 1891. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)

!
O. 1891. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Gavis stopped abruptly when he
saw the man and girl in the balcony.
he swung about and blindly found his
way through the dancers until he came
to q quiet, unused card room. where he
could be alone.
He lighted cigarette. but did not
smoke. The picture he had seen In
the belcony-Latimer fitting ring
upon Gracia Moore's slim finger-had
frozen his face into a stern mask,
while his heart thumped in an odd
way. From his pocket he extracted
a small jewel case and, pressing
spring, his panied eyes were dazzled
by the brilliance Of the splendid dia-
mond he had chosen for Gracia If she
should accept him. He had waited
until tonight because, in the crowded
house, there would be many quiet
nooks-he had just arrived and he was
too late-Dick Latimer had won her!
Yet, he had been so sure Of her love
and she had fooled him. Well, she
should never know the hurt he had
received.
The door opened and his host ap-
peared and dragged him out to the
ballroom to swell the thin ranks Of
dancing men. ''This will never do,
old man." said Whyte. "There are
rows of wallfowers whiting in the
shade-just hear that orchestra! Go
to It'll"
Gavis smiled wryly and found a
partner. She danced exQuisitely, bur
he felt no thrill in the touch OF her
hand or the nearness of her fluffy hair.
So he danced several times, and at
last he went to Gracia, who sat In a
deep chair, for once unattended. Her
sweet face was quite pale and her
dnrl, blue eyes were little frightened
as she lifted them to his stern face.
She managed to smile when she
gave him her card and with his keen
eyes scanned 1t eagerly. Latimer's
name was down for two dances
there were other initials scrawled
here and there and several blank
spaces.
II saved several for you," she said
gently.
~ was late-too late" he remarked,
scratching his initials in the blank
spaces.
In moment they were weaving
through the maze Of dancers. All
the old-time witchery possessed Gavis
now that she was with him. She was
so different from the other girls-there
could never be another one in the
whole world to fill her place when she
married Dick Latimer. His heart
thudded In rhythm to the music. She
smiled once and shook her head at
Dick Latimer as they passed him In
the dance.
"You are very quiet" she ventured
after a while.
II am sorry" he apologized. I'm
afraid I am rather dull fellow after
all, Gracia."
"No, oh, no, Bob" she said little
breathlessly. "Just think Of the bril-
liant speeches you have made in court.
Perhaps you have had busy day and
do not feel like chattering to women.
Listen, the orchestra Is playing some
thing you love-"
He bit his lip fiercely as they.
swayed to the dreamy waltz music.
something he loved!" Did she guess
that the only thing he loved was going
from him to another mans armsf
Perhaps she did know all women were
deceivers-well, he could and would
talk. He eleverly led her from one
topic to another in the brief pauses be-
tween dances and at last he resigned
her to Dick Latimer. who claimed the
supper dance. Bob Gavis made sew
eral swift decisions in the interval.
He sought and found his host.
"Whyte," he said, "you were talking
about hunting trip to Canada-is the
party completeT
"Not without YOU" returned the
other promptly.
'Thanks. When are you going%
Tuesday"
"Good. Count me in," and Gavis
went away unsmiling.
When he reached his bachelor apart
ment he did not 60 to bed, but spent
the hours overhauling his hunting gear
and packing his outfit for the expedi-
ton. After cold tub and brisk
walk downtown he prepared to argue
an important case which had been
pending for some time.
Two days afterward he met Latimer
on the street. congratulations j.
cried Dick.
Bob's eyebrows went up.
winning your case,' explained Lat
inner cheerfully. "Wish you luck, old
man, when it comes to matrimonial
casesw He went away chuckling, and
Gayis realized that he was beginning
| to dislike Dick. Once they had been
very good friends, but since Gracia-
he squared his shoulders and tried to
whistle. The North woods would cure
all that, he told himself.
He was wrong, after all. The woods
alleyiated his pain, but 1t did not cure.
He heard the voice of his love in the
softest bird song-he thought OF her
in the daytime and he dreamed OF her
at night. He lost many good shot
because he was day-dreaming and he
bore the chatting Of his companions
with equanlmlty. Dick Latimer lett
him severely alone. One. night they
sat together by the campfire, waiting
for the others who had tramped on
for the mail and some additional sup
plies.
The two men sat In silence for half
an hour, smoking, deep In thought.
Once or twice Gavis raped his pipe
against a log and ,..illed 1t; Latimef
was smoking cigarettes In his extrav'
agant way. tossing them aside hall
consumed. He regarded Gavis from
under dropping lids. At last he spoke
Looking rather seedy, old chap
Need some quinine?"
i Gavis grinned. "Not up here"
"Wishing you might land Dii
trout tomorrow, eh2 Maybe you're