Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-11
THE DANCING MASTER
BY RUBY AYRES
..,bo, of 1.-THE Phantom Lover" "A Bachelor Husbond"
"'' 1.-THE One UntDanfed," etc.
to which the past few months had &C.
customed him.
By RUBY AYRES

|
modern ideas of life and love and mai.
riage that a man knew them all quite
well beforehand.
This girl, in her home. made frock
and low -heeled shoes, was something
different she was so absolutely natural
and unaffected, It was like coming
across a ray Of sunlight and breath Of
fresh air when one has lived for weeks
Ia an atmosphere Of manufactured
scent and artificial light.
He knew that. differently dressed and
with her hair loosened little from its
primness. she would be pretty in spite
Of her ugly shoes, her feet were small
and dainty. and there was a lightness
and grace in the way she moved that
made him think Of flowers swaying In
breeze.
Unconsciously he stopped whistling
as he looked at her. and she swung
round, flushed and breathless.
.'Oh, was I doing the wrong step?'
ROyston started.
mo, It was splendid; come here try
dancing It with me-
He pushed the chairs out Of the way
and put his arm about her. Good;
there's the band starting again. Now
Elizabeth felt as II she were in a
dream; she had forgotten the agonies
of shyness she had suffered earlier in
the evening; her feet seemed to fly over
the smooth floor as II they had wings
when at last the music stopped she
stood for a moment. with Royston's
arm still about her, looking up at him
with dazed eyes.
"Oh. that was-lovely she said
with a long breath,
Yes, our steps 20 together wonder
fully we'll" He kept her hand in his
and drew her back to the chair. "Not
feeling giddy?" he asked.
"Oh. no." She drew her hand from
his and sank back against the cush.
Ions. Il could dance all night" she
said.
He laughed at that.
You'd soon get tired. don't know
anything more firing after an all night
ball than coming out into the daylight
and creeping home to bed"
II should love IT,"
II don't think you would-once the
novelty had worn off," She stifled a
sigh.
I'm not ever likely to have the
chance to try. I-before you came I
had made up my mind to 20 home
tomorrow. just felt that I couldn't t
stand It any more"
There was little silence: Royston
was looking into the ballroom through
the half.closed door. "And--now?"
he asked.
She laughed and sighed.
Weu, II l could dance with you
every day / think I should never want
to 60 home at ALL" she said.
your cousin goes to a great many
dances. believe; she would take you"
"Yes, but you would not be there, I"
she said unthinkingly. "And nobody
else would want to dance with me-"
She glanced down again at her frock
Royston turned his head slowly and
looked at her; she had spoken quite
unconsciously. he could see, and n
faint smile crept into his eyes.
II 60 to a great many dances my
should ask nothing better than to have
me-"
"Oh, do you really mean it?'
Her voice was incredulous; of course.
he could not be serious; how could
such man care to be seen dancing
with any one so dowdy and countrifed
as she?
He colored with faint embarrass.
ment.
with a little practice you will
dance beautifully" he said rather con-
strainedly.
There was momentary silence, then
Elizabeth drew a quick breath Of deci-
sion.
Elizabeth Decides to Stay
II shall not go home. then. II my
aunt will let me stay" she said.
Royston made no answer, and she
went on eagerly:
Haven't you got any ono to dance
with-1 mean, except me? Dolly
she's my cousin--says that every one
has a dancing partner nowadays. and,
Of course, any one who dances as beau.
tifully as you d.
He laughed rather dryly.
"Ch. I've plenty Of dancing part
.aH "Arent 1sfr:sSmin. 70" hungry Don't you want
She laughed happily.
Il believe ! am hungry-just a lit.
tie. but I'm 30 excited I should never
have thought Of 1t II you hadn't asked
me-"
1--WE can get to tho supper room
this way" he said. and turned 70 the
door which Elizabeth had locked.
She stoned him With an exclnma.
ton.
"It's locked u mean-''
Her ewes fell in confusion. ~ Iocked
II because / was 40 afraid some on.
would come in and find me-,
"Find Won o., he echoed No. undor,
standing
"Ycs"and lauub ot me- oooi,
know thcv'vs nil bcen ,augb;nc a. NV
frock md me nil rho eveninr ana