The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-10

there were many cars parked along
the block. When they entered the
house they were directed to dress
ing-rooms on the second floor, and
Clavering met Madame zattiany at
the head of the staircase. She
wore a gown Of emerald green
velvet, cut to reveal the slipping
line of her shoulders, and an
emerald comb thrust sideways in
the low coil of her soft ashen hair.
On the dazzling fairness of her
neck lay single. unset emerald
depending from q fine gold chain.
Clavering stared at her helplessly.
It was evident she had not
made her toilette with an eye to
softening blow!
Am I overdressed?" she muir
INJURED. II did not know -.
thought I would dress as if--
well, as If I had been invited by
one of my own friends
Quite right. TO dress down
would have been fatal. And Cora
must spend small fortune on her
clothes. But you !.
you have never seen
YOU
= am fond of green" she said
lightly. sfCouleur temperance.
Shall we go DOWN."
He followed her down the stairs
and before they reached the
crowded room below he had man
aged to set bis face: but his heart
was pounding. He gave Cora,
who came forward to meet them,
a ferocious scowl, but she was too
much engaged with Madame zat-
tiany to notice him; and So, for
that matter. was the rest Of the
company. Miss Dwight's gown was
black satin painted with flaming
poinsettias, and Clavering saw
Madame zattiany give it + swift
approving glance. Around her
thin shoulders was a scarf Of
red tulIe that warmed her brown
cheeks She looked remarkably
well. almost handsome. and her
strange pale eyes were very
bright. 1t was evident that she
was enjoying her triumphs; this
no doubt was the browning one,
and she led Madame zattiany into
the room. leaving CIavering to his
own devices.
It was certainly the "distin-
guished party he had promised.
There were some eight or ten
of the best known novelists and
story writer's in the country, two
dramatists. several of the young
er publishers. most Of the young
editors. critics, columnists and
illustrators, famous in New York,
at least; few poets, artists; the
more serious contributors to the
magazines and reviews; an arclli-
tect, an essayist, a sculptures.
a famous girl librarian Of great
private library, three correspon-
dents OF foreign newspapers, and
two visiting British authors. The
men wore evening dress. The
women, If not ALI patrons of the
ranking .sl1ouses'- and dress
makers. were correct Even the
artistic gowns stopped short Of
deIirium. And IL many OF the
women were their hair short, so
did an Of the men. Everybody
in the room was reasonably young
or had managed TO preserve the
appearance and spirit OF youth.
Clavering noticed at once that
Mr.. Dinwiddie was not present.
No doubt he had been ordered
to keep out OF the way!
Miss Dwight led Madame Eat.
tiany to the head OF the room
and enthroned her. but made no
introductions at the moment;
young man stood by the piano.
violin in hand, evidently waiting
for the stir over the guest Of
honor to subside. The hostess
gave the signal and the guests
were polite If restless. However,
the playing was admirable; and
Madame Zattiany. at least. gave
it her undivided attention. She