Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-17
CHAPTER XII
The Serpent's Tolls

TNHE dance ended, and Norman. with
L his hand under my arm. propelled
me toward the veranda where min
ute ago flash of scarlet had disap-
peared. A second later we had joined
II group gathered at one end of the
porch. Margaret and Jim, Ruth end
Arthur. Alice and Ted Hall. nice
boy. whom I did not know very WE'LL
but who was obviously bound up in
Alice's tolls. and-IIerbert Livingston !!
I had not seen Herbert since my
marriage to Norman and in the darkness
l felt my checks flush.
They all stopped talking MS we cnme
up and were watching me curiously to
see how l would greet Herbert. was
conscious Of the almost malicious gleam
of Alice's eyes, and I saw in fash
what I hadn't recognized before. 1t
had been Allce's intention to warn me
against Norman in the hope that would
turn to Herbert before It was too late.
Every one in our little crowd had known
Of Herbert's attachment to me. and
they had all expected me to marry
him. That was before Norman ap-
pearcd on the scene. but Alice had been
more concerned than any one else. be-
cause she had expected to win Norman
for herself. l could see It all now.
At that moment longed desperately
for Alice's aplomb. her carelessness Of
manner. She would have managed the
situation beautifully, while I felt shy
and i'll at ease. But as usual. Herbert
made things easy for me. His hand
closed on mine and his greeting was
one Of assured friendship. In a mo-
ment I had forgotten everything but
the fact that we had been close friends.
and was chatting gayly. 1t wasn't
until the music started for the next
dance that some Of my earlier feeling
returned. for as I turned in my chair
l saw Norman's dark head bent low
over Alice and almost Immediately she
rose and they went into the ballroom
! together.
Jealousy rose in my heart. in spite
afraid of Alice. / hated to have Nor
subtle fascination she exerted over him,
and something Of all this must have
been in my face rs turned toward
| Herbert in response to his "Shall we
dance?" His honest blue eyes were
suddenly very tender. and his quick
sympathy brought sob to my throat
but ] choked 1t back Where was my
pride? Was I going to let Herbert see
that was unhappy Herbert of all
people, who had asked me to marry him
and whom I had refused?
! forced smile to my lips. and mo :
ment later we were in the ballroom
dancing. But my heart was heavy with
in. and In spite Of all my efforts
found myself feverish!y looking for Nor
man and Alice as they circled the room.
when we had danced to the phonOgrnph
Norman was Oblivious Of every one else
! in the room. lie never took his eye.
! from Alice's face, and she had tan.
talizing way Of looking up at him. and
then turning her face against his shoul.
der. l tried not to look at them, and
yet every time they danced by US
found It impossible to turn my eyes
away. ! breathed a sigh Of relief wher
! the dance was over, but Alice ant
! Norman did not return to the group or
the porch.
Tie conversation hummed around me
and / tried to concentrate on what wa.
being said, and to respond myself, but
! IeIL tlul my iEltuuS WcT6 MAKING
talk in order to relieve the tenseness ol
the situation. and that was more thar
I could bear.
Inwardly began to pray for Nor.
mans return. II for no other reasor
than to save my pride. How could Ii,
stay away like this with Alice Wilson
No matter what his feelings were, hat
he no consideration at all for me? Blu,
the moments drifted away and the mex,
dance began, and still Norman and Alice
had failed to put in an appearance.
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