The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-05-18
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DeriSive cackleS and gutfaWs or
clowns broke out on all sides, a space
was cleared around the unfortunates.
Are you all right, Cinda?" Dobbln
asked. She nodded and tried to smile.
Lets get out Of this"
mo, wait" Lucinda insisted. Per
haps she's hurt"
She brushed his, arm aside, only to
discover that the overthrown woman
had regained her feet. and now stood
watching her partner in shrewish fury
as, grinning foolishly. he scrambled up.
"You clumsy dumbbell"' she stormed
in raspng voice that must have car
ried clearly half across the room. Il
hope TO Gawd ! got enough sense not
TO dance with you again when you're
pickledr
And catching the first glimpse of the
mans crimson face, Lucinda yielded
all at once to Daubeney's insistence.
But she never quite knew how they
| got back to their table.
XI.
But even with the three sides of the
box affording their false show OF pri-
vacy, 1t never entered Lucinda's head
TO sit down and pretend nothing had
happened, the instinct to fly at once
from this theater of disgrace was still
predominant only for moment she
rested standing, while her eyes, darkly
dilate, sought Daubeneys.
You saw him, of course"
Dobbn made vague gesture OF
sympathy. "Frightful!y sorry -
Lucinda shrugged Don't be. 1t
wasn't your fault"
Il presume we couldn't have been
mistaken e" Dobbin Ventured
half lf-heartedly.
NO: it was Bel. think I'd like to
go. Let me have the carriage check
and I'll wait in the car"
Daubeney surrendered the paste
board slip and called for the check as
Lucinda went out.
At the street door she gave the at
tendant the carriage check together
with coin. And hurry, please' The
man saluted respectfully and vanished
She hastened to the street, a move
which she found immediate reason tc
repent. Only a few feet away Bellamy
stood with an affectionate arm around
the shoulders of the door porter. A
knot of grinning bystanders had already
begun to gather.
Bells derby was perllously perched
his overcoat, donned in haste, was
poorly settled on his shoulders, though
he had contrived to worry two buttons
through the wrong button holes, ano
he was explaining, unconsciously 10
everybody within a wide radius the
personal service he required in return
for the ten dollar bill which he was
waving beneath the porter's nose.
Now, lishn, Jim DO mlno
my calm you jim do you oil scout
Get thish straight. M'wife's
here tnight. nd | don want her u
know | wash here shee? II she don
know | wash here, she's got nothin oi
me. nothin' tall. shee? So you don
know me. YOU never heard OF me, sheer
Yes, Mr.. Druce."
Sick with modification, Lucinaa
turned from the sound OF that baobhnf
voice OF a fool-and heard her Owl
name pronounced.
THE car is here. Mrs. Druce."
In a wild stare she identified the fac'
Of her chauffeur. saw that he under
TODD the situation and was anxious L
be helpful.
Wait" she quavered.
And then by miracle Of will powe
she managed TO master her nerves an
putting aside her horror and humilia
tion. took thought quickly and cleari,
"All want you to do ish remember
n Mishish Druce asks II you've see'
me. YOU never heard OF me, don know
me 'tall-shee, Jim, get what l mean
As Lucinda approached the porte
must have guessed who she was, for II
. spoke TO Bellamy in a low voice. an
the latter swung around with startle
, eyes and dropping jaw. She close
= her fingers on his wrist and put all he
: strength into that grasp.
Come. Bel" she said clearly and no
unldndly. please don't keep me wal
{ ing. The car is here, were goln
home"
For moment the balance wavereI
then Bells eyes fell. and she knew 81
had won.
"oh. Alright" he mumbled with
/, strange docility. "Didn' know you wer
waltin'. Linda Get ri IN the carl
with you In jush u minute
NO" she said firmly-"youre con
!, ing with me now.
She drew him away. He yielde
!. without remonstrance. permitted her !
lead him to the door Of the car. stun
- bled In on his knees and orawled u
10 the seat.
Lucinda followed. the door closed b