The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-05
CHAPTER X-Continued

Again she startled him. He looked
at her wonderingly. But before he
could frame a bantering reply. Marcia
had involuntarily gripped at his arm
with look upon her face that first
was sheer bewildered astonishment,
and was crying for him TO look yonder.
Judith had come.
Across the floor, now nearly desert
ed. Bud Lee and Marcia stared at her.
She was coming toward them, her
dainty slippers seeming to kiss their
own reflections In the cleaning floor.
1t was Judith and not Judith. 1t was
some strange, unknown Judith. A
wonderfully gowned, transcendently
lovely Judith. A Judith who had long
hidden herself. masquerading, and who
now stepped forth smiling and bright
and wildly beautiful a Judith of bare
white arms, round and soft and rich in
their tender curves; Judith whose
filmy gown floated about her like a
sun-shot mist; a Judith whose skin
above the low-cut corsage was like a
baby's, whose tender mouth was red
flower, whose hair was shimmering
mass of bronze-brown, whose eyes
were Aphrodite's own, glorious. dawn
gray; Judith of rare maidenly
charm; glorious, palpitant, trium-
plant Judith.
1t might have been just because Ii
was fitting that they should greet
their hostess so; 1t might have been
,bn
this new Judith were caught suddenly
in compelling current of admiration,
that above the hum of voices rose from
everywhere quick clapping of hands
as she came through the room. The
color of her cheeks deepened, her eyes
flashed a joyous acknowledgment of
the greeting. and bright and cool and
self-possessed she came on to Marcia.
Marcia, DEAR" she said, taking Mar
cia's two hands-and Bud Lee found
that even Judith's voice had taken on
new note. deeper, richer, gladder,
fraught with the quality of low music
forgive me for being late. I want
ed TO be here every little second TO see
you enjoy yourself" She put her lips
closer to Marcia's ear, whispering
"You are the prettiest thing tonight
ever saw
Marcia shook her head, her eyes
filled with frank wonder.
Don't ffb. Judith, DEAR" she an
swered. And. for Marcia, she was
very grave. Il know you have a glass
In your room. You wonderful, Won
derful Judith"
Their voices were indistinct to Bud
Lee. Now at the moment when she
was so rich In the splendor of her own
sweet femininity he filed hi heart
with her, Judith had come in the only
way Judith could come, surrendering
herself utterly to the hour.
She turned to him, no surprise at
his own costume in her happy eyes,
and gave him her cool hand A swift
tremor ran through him at the contact,
a tremor which was like that of the
night in the cabin, which he could not
conceal, which Judith must notice
She said something, but he let the
words go, holding only the vibrant
music OF the voice.
She had stirred him. and nov he did
not seek a theory for buckler;; the
sight of her. the brushing of her fing-
ers against his, made riotors tumult
in his blood. -
The first strains OF a waltz Joined
the lure of Judith'r warm loneliness,
whispering. cOunseilng. commanding !:
"Take her" Marcia gasped and
stepped back, startled by the look she
saw in the eyes Of This man who. hav-
ing spoken no word since Judith came,
put out his arms and took her into
them. Judith flashed at him a look
of quick wonder. His face was almost
stern: no hint of smile had come
into his eyes. He merely caught her
to him as though she were his. and
swung her out into the whirl o.
dancers.
you are rather = abrupt, aren't
your said Judith eoolly.
Am II" he asked gravely. 81 don't
know. 1t seems to me that ! have
been lettering. just lettering while"
He didn't attempt to finish He held
N.le
room was emptied of its gay throng,
the music no longer pulsed; Its beat
was in the rhythm Of their bodies,
swaying as one.
The dance over. she was lost to him
In the crowd of men who came eagerly
to her. His eyes followed her wher-
ever she went. slow anger kindled
in his heart that she should let other
men talk with her. that she should
suffer another man to take her in his
arms
A number of country dances fol-
lowed. He stood by the door waiting
little before he went again to Ju-
dith. 4Ie saw Marcia across the room
beckoning to him with her fan. There
was nothing TO do but TO go 20 her.
He frowned but went, still watching
for Judith. Marcia. wanted him TO
meet some of her friends He shook
hands with Hampton. was introduced
TO Rogers. Marcia explained that Mr..
Lee was the gentleman who, achieved
perfect wonders In the education of
his horses. She turned to introduce
Farris, the artist. But Farris broke
into Marcia's words with a sudden ex-
cIHmation
'Dave Leei" he cried, as II he
could not believe his eyes. "You,
Here,"
Hello, Dick" Lee answered quietly.
"Yes, I'm here / didn't know that
you were the artist Hampton had