The Washington times., 1923-11-30
BLACK OXEN:-:By Gertrude Atherton

AoE dA ZIG noLlce she took OF
the restaurants other guests.
A Tense Moment.
Clavering rose and grimly await
ed the onslaught. Even the wait
ers were staring, but for the mo-
ment only at the flashing little
figure whose cheeks matched TO
a shade the American Beauty rose
of her wisp Of q gown.
Her big black eyes were spark.
ling wickedly, her vivid little
mouth wore a twist that can
only be described as a grin. She
had come for her revenge. No
doubt Of that.
She bore down on him, and
shook his unresponsive hand
heartily. i've been telling them
how dear and noble you were last
night, dear Mr.. Clavering, Just
like real uncle, or what any one
would expect OF one Of sranny's
pets. No doubt you saved my life
and honor, and I want to tell the
world" Her crisp clear voice was
pitched in G. 1t carried from end
to end OF the silent room.
''Would that I were your uncle!
Won't you sit down? I believe
that you have not met Madame
Zattiany."
Miss Oglethorpe had not
cast a glance at her victims
companion, assuming her to be
some writing person; although
he did once in a while take
out Anne Goodrich or Marian
Lawrence: old girls-being all of
twenty-four-in whom she took
no interest whatever.
She half turned her head with
barely perceptibIe nod. The
tail Of her eye was arrested. She
swung around and stared, her
mouth open. For the moment
she was abashed; whatever else
she may have submerged, her
caste instinct remained intact and
for second she had the un.
pleasant sensation Of standing at
the bar Of her entire class. But
she recovered Immediately.
Grandes DANES were out of date.
Even her mother had worn her
skirts to her knees a short time
since. What fun to ''show this
leftover" And then her spite
ful naughtiness was magnified by
anger. Madame Zattiany had In
clined her head graciously, but
made no attempt TO conceal her
amusement.
Eyes, I'll sit down. Thanks"
She produced cigarette and lit
it. "Granny's got a lot Of an
cient photographs of her girl
hood friends" she remarked with
her insolent eyes on Madame
Zattiany, land one Of them's
enough like you to be you mas
querading In the get-up Of the
eighties. Comes back to me.
Just before mother left I heard
her discussing you with bunch
Of her friends. Isn't there some
mystery or other about your"
Eyes, indeed! Is it not so?"
Madame Zattiany addressed her
glowering host, her eyes twink
ling. 1t was evident that she
regarded this representative of
the new order with a scientific
interest. as If it were a new sort
Of bug and herself an entomolo-
gist. probably" she added in
diligently, ''the most mysterious
woman in New York What you
would call an adventures If you
were not too young to be un-
charitable. Mr.. Clavering is kind
enough to take me on trust"
Miss Ogiethorpe's wrath waxed.
This creature of an obsolete or
der had the temerjtv to laugh at
her. Moreover-slle flashed a
glance from Clavering's angry
anxious face to the beautiful
woman opposite, and real color
blazed in her cheeks. But she
summoned a sneer.
''Nohle again! Has he told you
Of our little adventure last
night?"
"Last night?" A flicker crossed
the serenity of Madame Zattiany's
face. But no. do not fancy
Mr.. Clavering is in the habit Of
telling his little adventures"
"Oh, he wouldn't. Old stand
ards. Southern chivalry. All the
rest Of it. That's why he's gran
ny's model young man. Well,
I'll tell YOU"
you've been drinking again."
Kissed Clavering.
"Of course. Cocktail party at
Donny's@"
The Command.
- ''Well, moderate your voice. It
isn't necessary to take the entire
room into your confidence. Bet
ter still, go back to your own
table"