Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-10
ly||yE DANCING MASTER
Bv RUBY AYRES
a., f "Ths Phanton, Lover" "A Baehslos Husband,"
l@no' " 1.-THE One Unuantsd," etc.

| less on tne Otner b1ue, tndnkful to mn
herself alone--thankful to have es
capped her cousin and tho mockery o
those innumerable mirrors, and for
less, her hand on her heart.
She was in a small room, with
door which apparently led out into
supper room, judging by the noise an,
laughter and popping Of corks going OF
on the other side; but for the present
at least. she was alone, and, summon
ing her courage, Elizabeth crept acros.
| the room and turned the key in thaV
communicating door.
Then she gave a great sigh Of relie
and sank down into an armchair, Al
from the ballroom the band started
again.
The room in which she found her
self was only dimly lit, and from her
chair Elizabeth could watch the danc-
ing unobserved.
How dainty the girls were. She
longed to be able to dance as they
could. She stuck her feet out In front
of hSr and looked at them with angry
eyes.
They we're small feet. with slender
anklcs-feet that could have looked
quite as pretty and twinkling II only
thcs Idu UeeH eHChseu IH SuOeS llho
those Dolly wore.
1t was unfair that she should be 20
out Of it! For the first time tears
swan into her eyes.
She was twenty. and she hnd never
had any fun never had any money
to spend. or pretty clothes to wear
never been taught to dance never
had any attention or admiration, un.
less one counted Walter Sneath--poor
Walter! who hnd been 30 terribly op.
posed to her visit to London.
She liked. him. too. in a quiet sort
OF way. but somehow he seemed
rather an old-faslioned sort Of figure
when abe contrasted him with the
men in the ballroom outside: just -
In the same way she supposed as
she must seem old fashioned when con-
trasted with the girls dancing with
them.
She looked back on her life with a
sort OF dull resentment; 1t stretched be-
hind her in many drab. colored years.
Each day had brought the same round
OF monotonous duties-looking after the
house. looking after her uncle, who
grumbled from morning till night at the
expense she was to him.
She smiled family as she recalled
his anger when she had shown him
her. auht's invitation and asked for q
little extra money so that she would be
abe to accept II.
80 your aunt has remembered your
existence Mt last, has she?' he growled.
well. It's about time Not one penny
piece has she ever contributed toward
keeping you. Well-you can have five
pounds and tell her to find you a hus.
band"
An Old Fashioned Lover
A little thrill OF excitement had
touched Elizabeth's heart mt his blunt
words, and she had wondered IL per.
haps-in wonderful London there
might be man waiting for her in the
good. old fashioned story book fashion
She had even hoped that there would
below foolisl, when the first hour of
her visit had killed that hope forever.
She thought Of Walter Sheath in
spite of his old fashioned ways--with
almost passionate longing; to him at
east she was pretty; he cared for her
more than he would care for all the
lainty butterflies huttering about in the
ballroom. She wished with all her
heart that she had taken his advice |
md stayed at home.
though Elizabeth did not know |
twas the latest hesitation waltz; but |
The was vaguely caught by the haunting
wing of it. and her slim body, in
is old fashioned frock, began to sway
little. and her feet to move restlessly.
t only she could dance-she looked
hy!y round the room was empty-why
ot try? She had risen to her
eet to yield to the temptation when
here was q step outside the half closed
oor that led to the ballroom, and a
nan walked In. He was whistling the
valtz tune softly, and broke off In
he middle of bar to light a cigarette.
The dimness of the room after the
lare of the light outside prevented him
rom seeing Elizabeth, and it was not
ntil he had finished lighting his Gig
rette and glanced around, apparently
I search of chair. that his ewes fell
pom her, standing there In her too
'ng frock, looking at him with scared
yes.
There was moment Of silence. then
@ took the cigarette from between his
ps and miled--quite a kind smile,
nd not in the least amused or con-
'mptuous. as Elizabeth realized with
rofound gratitude.
81 beg your pardon" he said. II
id not know there was any one here"
He waited, but Elizabeth said moth.
,g. and. with a comicai air Of EN-.
arrassment. he turned to 20. She
'und her voice then.
"Oh, please don't go!" she said,
eathlessly. "At least--I don't mean
aat want YOU TO stay because I'm
,rc onIy-if YOU want 70 star