The Washington times., 1924-01-28

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Tom had originally planned to
have only Irma, her uncle and
me. Mr.. Haldane and Lorraine
Thurlow, however, were convinced
that this was a charming ar.
rangement. And Tom declared.
with his large poise:
"This is the jolliest possible
surprise! I've always thought it
stupid. that I didn't know the
Thurlow-Stanley group. I'm sure
our grandfathers hunted together
down on the Island in the good
old days of knee.breeches and
snuff boxes"
Lorraine Thurlow, who is a bit
Of a flirt, was evidently i'm
pressed by TOMS florid good.
looks and seIf.confidence.
The obvious thing then would
be for Lorraine 70 turn the bat
terry Of her charms on Tom. Gal
lantry plus instinct would make
him respond. HU had no way Of
knowing that Peter was particu-
larly interested in Irma, and !,
felt sure that an exhibition of his
philandering tendencies would do
a great deal to disillusion Irma.
Mr.. Haldane played up to my
lead with the chivalry which
would make him devote himself
to anyone who seemed to need his
advice. This seemed a good time
to discuss the statue and to say
something along the lines of M
pride in this opportunity of
Jim's.
But when I had told Loren Hal
dane all about how much il
meant to Jim to represent the al
forces, Lorraine Thurlow leaned
forward and asked with sweet
ness which kept her intrusion
from being at all rude:
"Anne, dear, Mr.. Haldane's m,
partner. We have such lots Of
things to talk over. Do turn the
light Of your countenance on
Peter. I can see he's brtmminF
with things he just must say te
you"
noticed that she was unusu
ally flushed ana that her eyes
were too bright. Something had
happened to ruffle her calm and
to offset her poise. And when l
glanced at Irma I saw something
like a smile Of triumph playing
over her lips. Then ] realized
that Tom was leaning toward her
with an air Of devotion not UNI
mingled with proprietorship.
Quickly I turned to Peter. His
smile was a thing Of cynicism
and disbursement.
Lorraine tried her charm on
Mason" he told me under cover
Of the dance music which was
sounding with an insidious
rhythm above the clatter Of
dishes and the murmur Of con-
versation. But Mason would
have none of her. I have an
idea my beautiful sister feels
. snubbed-serves her right! She
hasn't learned that pretty ladies
mustn't grab at the angel on the
Christmas tree"
you're being a little brutal"
I replied, a bit brutal myself. "Its
to cover your disappointment with
yourself. isn't it?''
what do pou mean?" he asked.
IT mean-you're not fighting
for what you want" replied.
Whats the use of wanting an
other mans girl?" he replied, his
mouth twisting one-sidedly.
Whats the use of starting out
to be friends with a girl, drop
ping the idea without explanation
and then sulking because the girl
is interested in an old friend?' /
demanded.
She doesn't know I've left the
table where / was at first" com.
planned Peter, so boyish in his
disappointment-so childish even
that I COULDN'T keep from laugh.
Ing.
whats so funny?" said Ir1na,
leaning forward suddenly with q
tiny twist to her lips which made
me wonder If she wasn't decided
ly piqued at Peters unexplained
and sudden indifference to her.
"If Tom can be persuaded to
remember that I love to waltz
and will invite me to try this one.
I forced myself to say boldly,
maybe Mr.. Stanley will tell you
the joke"
Nothing could be more delight.
full than a dance with you, Don.
ma Anna" said Tom with gallan.
try which refused to be feazed
by the fact that he knew per-
fectly well that was manoeu-
wiring to get him away from Irma.
And as we swung through the
measures Of waltz he said CURLY:
"My lady, know just how keen
you really are to waltz with any
man on earth, save your husband
only. So don't think you're fool.