Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-11-24
An interrupted Party

Surprised, Nadia Courteney jump
ed off the running board of Star
mounts car from where she had
been leaning over him.
Her laugh was that of a maniac.
All the beauty that had made her
the toast Of men-about-town van
ished as she shrilled in frenzy:
80 you are choosing them from
the slums now, Malcolm, are you'll"
"Stopl L have had enough, -
Starmount commanded her. His
words only seemed to inflame her
the more as she stood there, her
eyes blazing like the diamonds that
glittered on her scantily-clad body.
We'll, you may get more than
you bargained for she threatened.
II want you to know that l am not
to be put aside at your whim, like
an old shoe. I'll make you pay
high for this, Malcolm"
"ShalI I run her in, Sort" asked
Officer Mulcahy, interrupting Nal
da s wild TRADE.
She turned quickly to the good
natured Irishman whose face now
was red and serious and disgusted.
"And what have you to do with
tg What are you butting in for9"
'he demanded heatedly, quite un-
mindful of her bizarre appearance.
Hold on to yourself, young lady,
Hold on to yourself for a minute
,r two while l tell yon who l am.
You cant monkey with an officer
If the law"
The chauffeur, at silent gesture
rom Starmount, had moved around
0 the other side of the car where
dary Deylin was looking and list
ming with fear-staring eyes.
He waited to take her mother
rom the car. Just now the old
ady was alternately trembling and
oughing.
Eddie had followed Pat Mulcahy
o the ground and had wandered
lown the path and forgetting, child
ike, the, to him, uninteresting
rama about him, was looking de-
ightedly up into tree from where
bird was softly calling to its
nate.
From the terrace came the mauld-
n voice of man saying; "Shay,
dal, you re delaying the proshes-
ion. c. mon on up here. We're
us goin' to open another bottle
# your ninety-eight Cliquot in
lonor of your birthday, OF man,
Starmount whirled and sent his
'oice ringing back furiously. Don't
rouble yourself, Tenant. When I
want my birthday celebrated l will
invite the guests myself"
I'm goirlg, people," broke in
'alda to her astonished group. "It
GEMS we have made mistake. Mr..
dalcolm Starmount, puritan, does
lot want us after ALL" she added
n taunting tones as she shot
'enomous glance at her late friend.
Not satisfied sac tried again to dis
omfort Starmount with:
From the looks of those he does
want, l think he has Joined the Sal
alton Army"
THAT viii do, Nalda," snapped
'tarmount angered by her jibes at
is guests.
Turning to the others he said: 81
hould be pleased if you would all
cave Immediately"
The jewellers gazed at him dumb
ounded. What had come over Nal
tarmount, so recently the very soul
nd spirit of their wild gather
ngsf
Starmount felt a slight tugging
I his coat. LET me go, my
ord" whispered Mary. ''You re
iaking all your fine friends mad. |
We've had nice ride and wen
ave another nice ride going back |
home" Her voice trembled a lit
le over the last word.
Starmount Interrupted with: "You
ill stay here.
Just then the one properly dress
d man in the party came forward.
: was Theodore Parker. Hove you
one mad, Malcoimf" he asked, as
e helped Starmount take Mary
'evhn out of the ear.
II think I am sane for the first
me in my life, Ted. The mood may
OF last long, but give me chance
it while it does, Don't try to
iop me, Ted, in the first decent
! unselfish act l have ever tried.
Your friends win not understand,
Lal. You have really insulted them.
isten."
From the open windows of en- up
airs room came oaths in mascu-
ne voices mingled with furious
nprecations in shrill tones from the