The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-01-08

fragrant clarity.
Il see. l Sec" Noble returned pettiShly
when the fine state of this closely ADA
cent weather was wonderingly pointed
out 70 him by his old-nnaid sister. 1T
wouldn't be raining. OF course. Not on
4 night like this" He jumped up. IT'S
time for me to go
Mrs. Dill laughed. IT'S only little
after seven. Julia won't be through her
own dinner yet. You mustn't
But with tremulouS smile, Noble
shook his head and hurriedly left the
room. He went upstairs for his hat, and
. while there pinned a geranium blossom
upon his lapel. for 1t may be admitted
that in regard 10 the matter OF bouton-
; nieres his taste was as yet rather I'M
formed.
Coming down again. he took 4 stick
under his arm and Was about 10 sat
forth when he noticed little drift OF
talcum powder upon one Of his patent
leather shoes. After carefully removing
this accretion and adding brighter
luster 10 the shoe BY means OF friction
against the back OF his ankle, he decided
20 return to his room and brush the at
tected portion OF his trouser leg. Hero
Il new reverle arrested him; he stood
with the brush in his hands for some
time; then not having used 1t, he drop
ped II gently upon the floor, lit an Cd
duma cigarette. descended, and went
, forth to the quiet street
He was better than jaunty as heAwalk-
ed along Julia's Street toward Julla's
! Party; there was something infinitely
more dramatic than mere spr!ShtltneSs
about him. His mlen and look were
those OF one advancing to coronation
both solemn and ecsiattc And when he
| came within sight OF the tnerfable
house and saw its many lights shining
before him, ne breathed with profund-
} ity and half halted. Julia's house was
! as different from all other houses as
! a rose is from sawdust And once more
! Noble murmured:
| ''Oh years so fair: Oh, night 50 rare!
/ For life is but a golden dream So
sweetly."
At the gate he hesitated. Perhaps
perhaps he was little early 1t might
! be better 10 walk round the block.
! He executed this parade and again hest
/ tatcd at the gate. He could see into
! the brightly lighted hall. beyond the
| open front double doors; and II was
! empty Of all save furniture and light.
! Once more he walked round the block.
! The hall was again in the same condi-
ton. Again he went on.
! When he had been thrice round the
; block after that, ne discovered human
! beings in the hall; they were Jul.a's
/ thirteen-ycar-old niece. Florence. in n
J gala costume, and Florence'S mother.
Mrs. George Atwater. evidently arrived
. 10 be assistants at the party, for. with
! the helpful advice OF colored man.
! servant, they were arranging some great
! punches of flowers on two hall tables.
, Their preoccupatIon in this task some
what emphasized the air OF earliness that
: hung about the place, and Noble thought
it better to continue to walk round tho
block. The third time after that. when
he completed his circuit, the musicians
! wore just arriving. and their sIihou'
cites. with that OF the ourdened bass
fiddler, staggered against the light OF
the glowing doorway like fantasia oil
giant beetles. Noble felt that II would
be better to let them get settled and
therefore walked round the block again
Not far from the corner above Julia s.
as ne passed, a hoarish and unctuous
voice. issuing out OF dim lawn set
| with indistinguishable trees, called his
: name, Noble! Noble Dili!' And when
Noble paused. Mr.. Joseph Atwater came
waddling forth from the dimness and
rested his monstrous arms upon the
top OF the fence where a street light
revealed them as shirt-sieeNed and
equipped with a palm-Iear fan.
i Noble trcmbied. This man, who had
once been to him only a fat old neigh
borhood nuisance. was Julia's uncle.
Mr.. Joseph Atwater had always been
Julia's uncle, II is true. but ne had been
L. hxy irtr
office for only the last eight months
or since the night when Noble accord
ing 10 his mothers account OF the ca
taserophc first happened 10 notice what
Julia looked like"
What is the matter. Noble?" Mr.. At
water inquired earnestly.
Matter" Noble repeated. Matter
Were kind OF upset" said Mr.. Atwa
ter. M wife and been just sittin
4 out here In our front yard. not doing
any harm to anybody. and here it's nine
times we've counted you passing the
place-always going tho same way"
He spoke as with complaint. man with
grievance. IT'S kind OF ghostlike,'
no added. Wed give good deal to
know what you mako of It."
Noble was nonplused. why -" he
said. why - How do you get
back? That's the mystery, said Mr..
Aviator You're always walkin down
street and never up. You Know m wire
never been too strong woman. Noble
and ali this Isn't doing her any GOOD
Besides, we sort Of figured out that you
ought really to be at Julias dance 'hAS
! evening" a.,
Il am" said Noble. nervously. I
mean that's where I'm going I'm going
there. / going there. 30, 49,.
That's what's upsetting us So" the
Fat man explained. You keep on Solns
! there. Just when we've decided you
must be there. at last. here YOU, come,
! going there again. Well. don't let me
detain you. But II you decide 70 go IN,
some time. I'm afraid you won't DC aoAe
TO do much daneins' Nooie' % walk ON
halted in sudden panic, Did thus SIMS.
ter fear OF Mr.. Atwater.s mean ina: ID
an uncle. he had word julia wa5 III:
Why won't I?'' he said quickly Is
Your poor feet" said Mt; A,wassF
withdrawing. Good night, Noble
The youth went on. somewhat DIS
turbed: it seemed to him that 'h's
. uncle. though Jul!a's. was either going
queer IN his head or had chosen poor
occasion to be facetlous. NeAI 't'',S'
, probably, Il would be better TO walk
around the block below this.
But u WAS now 40 longer advisable
, TO walk around any block whatever
When he came to the happy gateway
, turning Of Instruments and a fanfare
OF voices sounded from wIthh Ihe
, house, girls in light wraps were lauS,
,ering through the hall with young
men: Il was time for the party And
J Noble went In.
Throughout the accomplishment OF
his entrance, his outside and his In
side were directly contradictory. HIS
inside was one tumultuous flutterinG;