The Washington times., 1922-08-21
By Ella Randall Pearce.

HIOUNt CAhR was III an dH-
noying state of disquie-
- tude. He knew that the
girl Of his choice cared more for
him than for any of her other
suitors, but how much did she
care? That was a question which
Roberta herself would have to an.
swer, and Roberta did not seem
disposed IT, say or do anything
that could be accepted as final.
They had played around"
through several seasons. and
through the period of their grow
ing acquaintance Wallace had
felt sure that when the time came
for a serious contemplation Of their
relations, there would be but one
sort OF settlement.
Lately, however, the young man
had not felt 80 sure Of his ground.
Roberta was just as dear and
charming as ever: just as friendly
and sympathetic: still there was
something new and puzzling in
her manner, discernable at least
to the eyes OF love.
And airy rumors had reached
young Carr's ears to the effect
that Roberta was considering a
career.
So, because OF his pressing
anxiety, Wallace was more than
usually assiduous in his atten-
tions at a dance where they met,
and without an actual word gave
his partner to understand tho
state Of his feelings.
You poor dear" drawled Ito-
berta, with her throaty little laugh.
You seem all fused up this eve
ming. Are you getting tired Of
the social whirl?"
mo, I'm not getting tired OF
anything" replied Wallace eager
ly. But you're different, Rober-
ia. You can't deny 1t. And I was
20 sure"-
He paused in embarrassment.
Roberta laughed again, but her
glance was friendly.
Mustn't be too sure OF any
thing" she rippled. Besides
how come? That sure feeling
mean?"
"Oh, Roberta, don't tease me
You know what I mean. You've
understood right along. I'll put
the question point blank, II you
like"
She held up a warning hand.
Don't do 1t, Wally! Leave the
question unspoken."
Then how am I ever to get an
answer. Roberta? / can't stand this
dangling in the air any longer. SO
long as we seemed to understand
each other, it was all right. But
now
Now we're not going to quar-
rel or sit here like two owls"
Roberta sprang to her feet and
held out her hands. We're 60
ing to dance. Wally. Hurry up
or I'll get another partner.
As he reluctantly advanced. she
tipped her head forward to whisper
in his ear. Come to the house
tomorrow evening"
That was all she said. but her
look gave the words a deep sig
nificance. Tomorrow evening Ro-
berta would give him her answer.
With a sense of nervousness,
quite new to the debonair young
man. Wallace Carr waited In the
Phipps parlor the next night for
the daughter of the house to ap-
pear. He grew more nervous with
every moment, and when Roberta
came at last, he fairly jumped to
his feet.
Then he stood as though petri-
fled, eyes staring, jaw fallen, was
this really Observation-Disclosures Of
the shining bobbed hair and light,
swaying form? Roberta of the
restless feet and hands. and twink
ling eyes and colorful. butterfly
frocks?
A slender, dignified young wom-
an in a straight. dark gown fall
ing to her ankles. with neatly
banded hair and austerely composed
features, came to greet him. So
complete was her self-possession. so
intensely earnest her manner, Wal
lace Carr was confounded.
81 want to talk with you about
my plans, Wally." She sat erect
In high hacked chair, sweetly
serious and--oh. as far away as the
moon! For long time I've been
dissatisfied with the butterfly life
! was leading, and out of sympathy
with all the ambitions Of the girls
Of our set. To dance into marriage
and then keep on dancing-all
needless of woman's glorious oppor.
tunities and higher destiny"
Roberta" gasped young Carr,
miserably, you can't mean