The Washington times., 1921-03-04
By Jane Mclean.

~IRCUMSTANCE were 20 help
him out. but he could not
know that. and so he waited
for Carlotta with some trepidation.
1t was to him the most embarrass-
ing thing in the world TO feel. when
he walked with Carlotta. that even
her. dazzling looks and efferves-
cent charm could not connterbal-
ance his small size. He could al
ways imagine people saytng.l"What
q pity he's so littler Wouldn't you
have thonght she'd have married
. tall man7" and remarks OF SINH
lar tenor.
And the consciousness that these
thoughts were passing In the minds
of the onlpokers Lmade Homer
Carleton the most miserable OF
men, He was almost gloomy oy the
time Carlotta returned. She slipped
a hand through his arm, and chat
ting voiubfy pulled him along to the
center of the room.
The conversation hushed for q
moment when she raised her hand
and laughingly announced:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: May l
beg your Indulgence for a minutef
I have here tho most famous OF all
living prestidigitators. Signor
Homero Garletoni-at great In con-
venience to himself he has consent
ed TO show you some of the mar
velous tricks which have made his
name a byword for cleverness.
Signor. permit me- and with bow
she presented to him the cards she
had been at such trouble to secure
MANIPULATE FINGERS.
Now IL Mr.. Carleton could do
nothing else weli-and he could
he could manipulate his fingers
with weird effect He could shuf-
ne . pack Of cards Of. ordinary size
ana cause them to dwindle in his
hands until they appeared no
larger than the center of his
thumbnail. He could make them
disappear in the most amazing
manner and cause them to reap
pear with eqpal cleyerness. In z
word, there was not professional
. before whom he' needed to have
blushed.
There was certain pride In
Cariotta's eyes as she, watched her
fiance begin his role as magician
1t was evident that the guests were
more than politely amused; they
vere Interested. and intensely SO.
for II IL worth while remarkfng
that, when anyone excels that any
ono receives tho respectful atten-
tion of his fellows. -.s.s
While Homer was showing tho
company how to swallow pack OF
cards without the slightest incon-
venience Carlotta bethought her
self of q trick which required =
cup and saucer. and rather tnan
summon a maid she slipped out 10
the pantry. where Peter was now
helping In the preparation OF re-
freshments.
Mr. Mendoza was in his shirt
.leeves. Mas barley was seized with
An inspiration. She came very Close
much closer than was necessary.
~Mr. Carleton is doing some
tricks. Peter, and I want a cup and
saucer-not the best ones-he might
break them--those are all right
and she leaned against him ana
standinR on tiptoe attempted 10
reach the articles on q high shelf.
This was not an easy task. but
ma managed 1t while the astonished
Clare Conway, also assisting In the
pantry, opened the door and gazed
on the unusual scene
sCar0 Tricks arc Vofy
Peter" said Carlotta After were
married Homer shall do them Tor
me at night-it will save theater
tickets"
RIDICULOUS. =
rhs idea Of tho rich Mr.. Carleton
Anfnw tricks TO save few dollars
supoared to Peter tho height OF the
ridiculous- He laughed outright ana
then remembered himself.
II beg your pardon. Miss Dariey;
sOh. it's all right Petervts All
r4rhH I've made you smile-lve
dona' better than that. I've made you =
laugh we'll. who would nave
thought try
She tripped toward the oooI'
vaustnr there: "Put on your coat.
Peter. and como along in and sec
the tricks-you can do 1t without
being noticed"
Miss Darley slipped out OF the
pantry as Glare. her eyes abiasAs
slipped In.
~How long IL this going TO iastF
she demanded. with All tho anger
Of wounded pride.
NOW, Clare" Peter sootned'
svhat's wrong~ .r .' .'...