The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-03-04
THE DANCE.
Chapter 10t.

1t was impossible to talk except with
greatly raised voice while the sing.
ing was in progress. The singer had
piercing soprano, the orchestra &C
companied her as loud as il could, and
the voices of the diners were ANYTHING
put low, even under normal conditions.
Claire hoped the general din would
silence Maisie. There was less noise
when they played dance music. most
OF the tables were empty then, and
they talked less while they danced.
Beside, that winters dance music
was low and seductive, dances were
quiet, comparatively modest, lacking
in eccentricity. Claire ate her salad,
and watched Jim's table when she
could. Jim's girl looked at the per
former with slightly shocked ev-
preston, then, eyes dancing, she turned
with amusement to make some COM
ment to Jim.
Little country cousins shocked"
remarked Maisie, whose eyes never
left Clarke's table.
Claire looked toward the stage. TIE
performer was singing an old fashion
ed song played to rag time accompani,
ment. ner dress was an antique flow
cred taffeta, sleeves to the elbow, low
cut neck edged with the modest frill"
of lace. stiff paniers draped from the
Northumberland then the charm
ingly simple Colonial costume ended
and the white silk tights began.
II don't wonder she is shocked, |
am too" Claire defended suddenly,
IT'S the most indecent costume ever
saw. | suppose it is because the upper
part of the dress is SO modest"
She stopped, looking around the res
taurant suddenly with new eyes
What vulgar place it was anyway
The din was making her head ache.
the diners were as immodest as the
performers. She was suddenly cen
scious of her own bare shoulders, the
many inches of her back that the low
cut dress showed, her ankles, the
clinging lines of the whole dress.
Would Jim bring his fiancee over
10 their table? OF course not, he
never had liked Maisie very well.
That he would not want to intro
duce his future wife to Maisie was con-
celvable-but why not to her? They
had been really good friends-and she
was conscious of the vast gap between
herself and the good-natured, loud
voiced Maisie.
The music started Luther touched
her hand and they went out with the
rest of the crowd to dance. People
were leaving the floor was comfort
ably filled It was one of the old-fash-
toned dances being revived that winter
where at the sound of whistle, every
body clasped hands and danced in
ring around the edge of the floor, thoh
at another whistle caught up which
ever partner came nearest. and danced
until the whistle sounded once more
Clarke and the girl were dancing
Claire tried not to look at them But
her keen eyes took in every exquisite
detail of the other woman's gown, anu
envied the simplicity that made het
the best dressed woman on the floor
How did she do it? How did she carry
her shoulders that way? Slender
Claire felt fat and heavy and awkward
beside her.
The whistle sounded, the grand
chain began, women going one way,
men the other. weaving in and OUT,
claspina hands, laughing, breaking the
chain as some missed the right hand
Claire was whirled away from Luthe"
Everyone was friend for the mo
ment, in the brief sociability of tbs
dance.
Claire was conscious-as always
that every man held her hand as Ions
as possible, hoping the whistle Nigh
blow again while he held her, so tha
he could claim her for Il partner.
was a compliment to her prettines'
that she was used to, but that amuse,
her and pleased her as much as !!
ever had
Far down the line of dancers sht
saw Clarke. A handsome young gian
was passing her, keeping her hand, ;
splendid dancer. she had seen hin