The Washington herald., 1922-06-30
continued from Yesterday.

OF Cairo;
On the Midway she NEWER
stray-y-y-ed,"
he gave over the CHASTITY task of
song leading and asked. respect
fully:
what up-to-date tunes have
taken the places Of those old war
horses? Start up something that
you folks all can get together on.
somebody. How about you. wade?"
I'm sorry" came stiffly. yet
with utter courtesy. from one cor
ner OF the humping wagon, but /
don't sing. I'm sorry"
-Thetis, them begged Dirck.
Cart"
Il wish I could help you. But,
really, don't sing. In public. any
way. I'm sorry"
And, after thousand hideous
centuries. that wretched straw ride
was ended. In the big hallway of
Dirck's house huddled the guests.
the men ruefully picking wisps of
straw from their coats. the girls
glancing unhappily at wrinkles and
creases in their hlmy summer togs.
Nealy Wsde's stare roamed in
aimless dreariness across the hall,
and rested by chance on an oblong
blot OF maroon stun that hung on
the farthest wall. Dirck followed
his glance. and the hosts squelched
spirits rose.
7 see you have the right taste"
he said, approvingly. That's one
of the very best bits I have. Wait
a second and I'll switch the lights
on II. It's a genuine Ahkout. I
was lucky enough to pick II up
ir--"
90" broke in Wade, apologetical-
~. Il thought, in the dim light, you
know, thought 1t was a rug OF
some kind What did you say 1t
- sir? An Ahk-"
an Ahkout rug" said Moy-
lanNrieny. Just a camel saddle
rug. Dating from the Khallfa Pc
/ Rod"
The term Sir had hit him like
q whiplssh, destroying even his
sense OF sacrilege at the young fell
lows Grass ignorance of treasures.
I suppose, sir" spoke up Kath-
arlns Brearly. II suppose you have
ever so many art curios and such
funny rug and"
to the soul.
Raliying. he brought forth one
or two all-precious relics such as
could scarce have failed to ensnare
the envying admiration OF a saw
age. Civilly the guests surveyed
them. Dirck. In his role of lee
turer. stopped short as. IN a vene-
tian mirrors merciless reflection.
he saw the Brearly girl stiie a
yswn and Wade wink dolorously at
one of his fellow victims.
How about a dancer" suggested
Moylsn. his merry plans making one
last pitiable stand. This big hall
Is just the place for II. An old
fashioned dance. EN-? What do you
| people say to a Virginia reel7"
There was a worried pause. Then
Dorcas Mervyn said. regretfully:
why. It would be delightful.
But I'm afraid 1 don't know it,"
Neither do IT, came with COB
bling promptitude from three other
| gnesta
20, nensenser" cried Dirck, cut
ting a truly acrobatic pigeon wing
and doing a valorous double shuf-
| ne as he spoke. Take partners and
line up while i start the music box!
|
It'll be no end of fun. Then I'll
show you how to do a hoedown.
IFS
I think" broke In Thetis varick,
sob In her throat, II think I'll go
20 bed-I'm very tired-if you don't
mind"
Instantly half the party discov-
| cred a like fatigue. They discov-
cred 1t very courteously. indeed. but
none the less firmly. While Dirck
stiIl was starkIy worried over the
heart-broken note in Thetis' voice
the others were making their haw-
| iessly correct good-nights.
He was able to get rid of them
and catch up with Thetis where she
had paused. behind the rest, in an
unlit angle of the stairs. Coming
close to her. he saw she was crying.
why. Thetis" he exclaimed in
wonder. Whats the matter? Has
anything happened?"
20, everything's happened" walled
the girl. thrusting him away with
one hand. while with the other she
still shielded her face Everything!
Let me 60. pleasei can't say any
thing. i won't say anything! Let
me go. I'm going to bed"
You're going to tell me first
| what's the matter" he insisted.
And, because she was still a child
who had just received an impera-
tive command from a grown person
mot at all because she was a
woman yielding to the caveman or
der Of a lover-she obeyed.
'1t's-its all so horrible"' she
| sobbed
The way you're feeIing7" he
asked In eager solicitude, yet noting
| with wonder that his anxiety was
rather that Of an adult for an i'm
mature guest than of a wooer for
his lass. Are you i'll: Or"
TO the ragingly ! disillusioned
Thetis his tone carried hints OF
| paregoric and hot water bags And
Il swept away her final barriers OF
reserve and of self-control.
-O!s she gasped furiously. Cant
you see. even yet? Are you too
dull? Or are you really in your
dotaEes That's what heard Dicky
verinder whispering to Hilda when
you did those clumsy elephant
dance steps down there just now.
He said you must be in your dotage
pr Isn't 1t enough" she ragged
on.>in the fine melodrama of youth.
'isn't II enough for you to shatter
my idol-my vision of the super
man. the genius, the demigod-isn't
II enough to have done that, with
out-
What in blazes are you talking
sboutr demanded Moylan In dire
hewi lderment s"What-"