The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-17
ALICE ADAMS
by BOOTH HARRINGTON
Copyright. 1921. by Doubleday. Page Co.

Palmer in a billiard-room across the
corridor.
Mr.. and Mrs. Adams had not been
invited. "Of course papa and mamma
just barely know Mildred Palmer"
Alice thought, land most of the other
girls fathers and mothers are old
friends of Mr.. and Mrs. Palmer, but
do think she might have asked papa
and mamma, anyway-she needn't
have been afraid just to ask them;
she knew they couldn't Cone" And
her smiling lip twitched a little
threateningly, as she concluded the ST.
lent monologue. IT suppose she thinks
I ought to be glad enough she asked
Walter!''
Walter was, in fact, rather notice
able. He was not Mildred's only
guest to wear a short coat and to ap-
pear without gloves; but he was sin
gular tat least in his present sur
roundings) on account Of a kind of
coiffuring ne favored, his hair having
been shaped after what seemed a.
AIongol inspiration. Only upon the
top of the head was actual hair per-
ceived, the rest appearing to be
nudity And even more than by any
! difference in mode he was set apart
| by his look and manner, in which
there seemed to be a brooding, secre-
| tive and jeering superiority; and this
was most wildly expressed when he
/ felt called upon for his loud, short,
/ lop-sided laugh. Whenever he uttered
/ it Alice laughed, too. as loudly as she
could to cover it.
Well" he said. How long we
goin' TO stand here? My feet are
| sproutin' roots"
Alice took his arm, and they began
to walk aimlessly through the rooms,
| though she tried to look as II they
had a definite destination. keeping
| her eyes eager and her lips parted;
people had called jovially to them
| from the distance, she meant 70 i'm.
| ply, and they were going to join
/ these merry friends. She was still
| upon this ghostly errand when a
/ furious outbreak Of drums and saxo-
phones sounded a prelude for the
! second dance.
Walter danced with her again, but
/ he gave her n warning. Il don't want
J
her, but I cant stand it. I got to
] get somewhere 1 don't haf to hurt
my eyes with these berries; I'll go
blind if I got to look at any more Of
EN-. I'm goin' out to smoke as soon
as the music begins the next time,
| and you better get fixed for It."
Alice tried to get fixed for 1t. As
| they danced she nodded sunnlly to
! every man whose eye she caught.
| smiled her smile with the under lip
caught between her teeth; but il was
not until the end Of the internission
after the dance that she saw help
| coming.
Across the room sat the globular
lady she had encountered that morn
| ing, and beside the globular lady sat
la round-headed, round bodied girl; her
| laughter. A. first glance. The family
| contour was also as evident a char
acteristic of the short young man who
stood in front of Mrs. Bowling, en-
! gagged with her in a discussion which
was not without evidences of an earn
estness almost imprisoned. Like
Walter. he was declining to dance a
third time with sister; he wished to
go elsewhere.
Alice from a sidelong eye watched
the controversy; she saw the globular
young man glance toward her. over
his shoulder; whereupon Mrs. BOWL
ing. following this glance, gave Alice
a look Of open fury. became much
more vehement in the argument, and
even struck her knee with a round,
fat fist for emphasis.
I'm on my way" said Walter.
There's the music startin' up again.
and l told you
She nodded gratefully. It's all
rignt-but come back before long,
Walter"
The globular young man, red with
annoyance. had torn himself from
his family and was Fastening across
the room to her. "C'n I have this
dance?"
why, you nice Frank Dowling!"
Alice cried. How lovelyr'