Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-19

tGsstissed sssm Yesterday
In spite OF herself. the intosiea,io
OF the music was getting into he
blood.
Her feet, in their smart little slip
pers. began uncouseiously 10 keel
time with the music.
Farmer ben, suddenly and, catch
ing both her hands, drew her to he
feet. Come along. just oneP
lie swept her into the room beior'
she could resist, and for one vii,
momen, Elizabeth closed her eye
and tried to believe that ano,hei
mans arms heidi her. that she wa
back in that hohr OF her life tina
had been the happiest OF all.
She drew a long breath when j
was at an end. and looked up into
Farmers flushed face.
Enjoy it," he asked. and Eliza,
beth said. yes"
He kept her hand within his arm
as they went back to their seats
There's an exhibition stunt now." hs
said "thc sort OF thing Royston does
Hello! By Jovc! II il isn't Royston
and the dark-haircd girl who are on
tonight
Elizabeth sat up stiffly; the blood
was singing in her ears, and every.
thing seemed long way off; then
the mists gradually cleared away,
and she saw Pat Royston and Meta
walking up the empty center Of the
room together as she herself had
walked with him on that one never
to-be-forgottcn night.
And Meta wore the blue frock;
that hurt more than anything, and for
moment Elizabeth felt as il she
must get up and run away before the
pain in her heart conquered her; bu:
she was afraid to move.
And then the music began-a slow,
dreamy waltz; she saw Royston take
Nctta's hand. and saw the way she
smiled up at him, and then she could
look no more. She sat with her eyes
downcast till the applause breaking
out told her that the dance was at
an end.
Not so bad, eh?" Farmer said,
and she forced herself to answer that
she thought it was excellent.
But the dark-haired girl canno:
dance like you,' he whispered.
Elizabeth made no answer; she
was looking at Royston. 1t seemed
lifetime since she had seen him,
and every nerve in her body was
urging her to go to him.
But she sat stiffly still, her hands
clasped together.
The dance was encored, and as
they left the ballroom Meta and
Royston passed quite close to where
Elizabeth sat.
Would he see her? She held her
breath as he passed, so close that
she heard his voice distinctly as he
spoke to the girl beside him, heard
his laugh.
Then they were gone. and the
band began to play noisy fox-trot.
Elizabeth looked at Farmer.
Il think we ought to go; madame
may be looking for us"
He laughed recklessly.
"She won't mind; she knows you
will be all right with me-"
Il would rather CO." Elizabeth
said.
He shrugged his shoulders, but
followed at once, and together they
went out into the hallway.
There were great many noisy
persons about, sitting out on the
stairs and at little handicapped
tables, and Elizabeth shrank with
dread lest they should come face to
face with Pat Royston. 1t would
be more than she could bear, she
told herself tremblingly.
Farmer put his hand through her
arm.
1--WE shall get out Of the crowd
better this way"
He pushed open the door on the
left, drew Elizabeth in and closed it
quickly behind him.
Elizabeth turned sharply.
I'VE cannot get out this way"
she began, then broke off with
stifled scream, as he caught her in
his arms, and began showering
kisses on her white face.
"You little Puritan! You know
I've been longing to kiss you all the
evening. You belong to me, Eliza
beth, the sweetest, dearest :"
She tore herself from his arms;
fear Of him gave her strength.
Let me go-how dare you-oh,
how dare you insult me?"
She ran to the door, but he reach
ed it before her; he caught both her
hands in his, looking down into her
white face with passionate eyes.
You're clever" he said breath
lessly. you know how to make sure
Of man. don't you? To look at you
one would almost believe you never
been kissed before He laughed,
and at the sound of it Elizabeth |
"But the county rose is
not quite so fresh as l thought" he
went on. THAT fellow Royston has
had few kisses, I'll wager. He
you little spitfre" for, half mad with
rage, Elizabeth had struck him across
he eyes.
He relaxed his grasp Of her.
and she wrenched open the
ioor and. turning, fed away across
he hall!
She did not care who saw her, did
1ot care what people thought. She
vas afraid as she had never been
lfraid in her life before. There was
curtained doorway in front Of her,
md she tore the curtain back, and
llmost fell into the room, painting and
;obbing.