Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-20
CHAPTER III


Rae had that sometimes fatal gift
of flattery, way Of leading man
on to talk about himself and OF ap.
pearing to be exclusively interested
in his tastes and pastimes. Guy stud
led her as she devoted her entire
attention to him to the exclusion OF
her companions. Was she attrac-
tive because she had had so much
experience in being young? From
his life at the club they were soon
far a-field Fleaping lightly to the
visit to the Sea Vamp," then ever
city, the shows, the hotels, the night
life. Was she questing to see just
how far the gaiety of this debo-
naire, sophisticated clubman took
him? For his purposes Garrick con-
veyed the impression that the only
limits known to him were the sky
and the horizon. Somehow. how.
ever, he had a feeling that this girl
was learning pretty much what she
wanted to know; though for the life
of him he hadn't quite figured out
yet what that was.
Far down the porch Vira caught
sight of Glenn and had no attention
of playing the lay figure longer.
Girls and fellows were passing and
with a nudge at Ruth, Vira broke
up the party and the three continued
down toward the ballroom, leaving
Garrick to figure it all out, espe'
cially Ruth, who, the moment they
were gone, seemed to- resume leauer'
ship.
Dick had been sauntering alone
about the club, speaking a few words
to friends lolling in wicker chairs,
nodding to others, when he heard the
noise entrance Of a group Of young
people. ~, IT,
Dick Defoe was the quieter type
Of man undoubtedly destined to
make any reasonably normal girl
happy. A gracious, if reserved, man
ner seemed to announce to the world
his reserve strength Of character II
trouble brewed.
He quickened his pace as he saw
Ruth. His face lighted up with one
of his charming smiles. y Ruth was
talking vivaciously to the girls when
she suddenly caught Dicks smile
and answered it.
Ruth" he said as he drew her
aside with eager Difference, may l
have all the waltzes this evening"?
She hesitated, looked at hins bit
shyly, shrugged one beautiful Shout
der as if debating whether to say
yes, then smiled: "Dick-you're q
fast worker! I believe you bribed
the musicians. They're playing O
waltz this minute! Wait till !
pu; my wrap up. I'll be with you
in G. second"
Dick watched her go, glowing all
over. He was going to hold her
close to him, he was going to
breathe the perfume Of her golden
hair, he was going to waltz, a
dreamy and enticing waltz, with the
girl over whom he was frantic.
Then he heard someone call Ruth
It was Jack Curtis. Ruth {.
this is mine! When T want a
dance with girl I just put my
arm about her :. /. like this .. :. {.
and we're OFF,
Ruth laughed merrily, flashed
back a look at Dick. "And when
I don't want to dance with a freshie
I do this and we're not OFF,
Jack had tangled himself with his
own legs or else it was an added
pressure as in Greek wrestling. He
was on the floor while the other fell
lows were laughing and Ruth, snil-
ing, hauled him up.
Did l keep you waiting long,
Dick? I love this one" Dick tingled
with joy as he waltzed off to the
dreamy strains.
1t was half over when Dick felt
himself pushed aside and heard
Jacks voice, ingratiating, "May 7
cut in on this? We all do that nowp'
DICK swallowed: It'll leave it to
Ruth" Ruth's only answer was a
gentle pressure of his arm, a mega.
tive nod in Jacks direction and
she was dreaming again. There was
something SO comfortable being held
closely by Dick.
There was one waltz when he
could not find Ruth. He hunted all
over. She was not dancing; nor on
the veranda. Nor did he see lack
curtis, Rae, Vira or Glenn.
"Firep'
Inc orchestra hesitated at the
sharp alarm Of the club steward
Ciien decided it was not like a. the.
alter, that there was no panic dan.
ger dropped it's fiddles and saxo.
phones and snare drums and ran A
moment later the shrill siren whis+1a
on the village power house sniff The
etner. Dick joined in the iost1ine1
mop In evening clothes. 8
Guess We'll make a de luxe hucL.
e ct brigade" painted Tony Bleecke,.
LIS the East Wingr
Up the corner of the lodge b.oL
OF the club casino. where were 30
ilVlng rooms, licked a hungry raS s
shaIt OF flame. Dick looked in dis.
may. On the third floor We're Coz.
rlck's rooms. E1r'
"A moment later he was boundine
up the stairs and had flung he
shoulders against the door. T. di id
liot yleId-until he turned the knob
1t was unlocked. Through the stif1c
OF smoke he fought his way to the
chest and flung it open. The hat
and the films were gone!
The suffocating fumes of chemical
! extinguishers sent him blindly