The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-12-18

ASdln sue startled MIN. He lOOKe
at her wonderingly. But before h
could frame a bantering reply, Marcii
had involuntarily gripped at his arr
with a look upon her face that frs
was sheer b%ewildered astonishment
and vas 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, he
dainty slippers seeming to kiss thei.
own reflections in the cleaning floor
It. was Judith and not Judith. 1t wa.
some strange, unknown Judith. A
wonderfully gowned, transcendently
lively Judith. A Judith who had Ions
hidden herself, disappearing, and who
Cow stepped forth smiling and bright
and wildly beautiful a Judith of bare
white arms, round and soft and rich in
their tender curves; a Judith whose
flmy gown foated 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 a red
flower, whose hair was a shimmering
mass Of bronze-brown, whose eyes
were Aphrodite's own, glorious, dawn
gray; a Judith of are maidenly
charm; a glorious, palpitant, trium-
phant Judith.
1t might have been just because it
was fitting that they should greet
their hostess so; it might have been
because the men and women who saw
In a compelling current of admiration,
yhat above the hum of voices rose from
everywhere q quick clapping Of hands
as she came through the Dom The
color of her cheeks deepened, her eyes
dashed a joyous acknowledgment of
the greeting, and bright and cool and
Self-possessed she came on to Marcia.
Marcia, DEAR" she said, taking Mar
Ria's two hands-and Bud Lee found
Ghat ever Judith's voice had taken on
, new note, deeper, richer, gladder,
fraught with the quality of low music
forgive ne for being late. l want
I'd to be t.ere every little second to see
you enjoy yourself" She put her lips
closer to Marcia's ear, whispering:
sYou are the prettiest thing tonight l
sver sawr'
Marcia shook her head, her eyes
nlled with frank wonder.
Don't fb, Judith, dear" she an
Ewered. And, for Marcia, she was
very grave. Il know you have a glass
In your room. You wonderful, won
derful Judith! !"
Their voices we're indistinct to Bud
Lee. Now at the moment when she
sweet femininity he filed his 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 i'll her happy eyes,
and gave him her cool hand. A swift
ran through him at the contact,
4 tremor which was like that Of the
aight in the cabin, which he could not
conceal, which Judith must notice.
DIG oAlu SOlIClLluS, Dul uC icl Tie |
words go, holding only the vibrant
music of the voice.
She had stirred him, and now he did
rot seek a theory for a buckler; the
light of her, the brushing of her fing-
RS against his, made riotous tumult-
n his blood
The first strains Of a waltz Joined
ne lure of Judith's warm loneliness,
whispering, counseling, commanding:
Take her. Marcia gasped and
back, startled by the look she
in the eyes of this man who, hav-
ng spoken no word since Judith came,
tut out his arms and took her into
hem. Judith flashed at him a look
f quick wonder. His face vas almost
tern no hint of a smile had come
ntO his eyes. He merely caught her
0 him as though she were his, and
wung her out into the whirl OF
ancers.
You are rather - abrupt, aren't
said Judith coolly.
Am II" he asked gravely. II don't
now. 1t seems to me that I have
cen lettering, just lettering while"
He didn't attempt to finish. He held
Judith in his arms while for him the
was emptied of its gay throng,
he music no longer pulsed; its beat
as in the rhythm Of their bodies,
as one.
The dance over, she was lost to him
the crowd Of men who came eagerly
!, her. His eyes followed her wher- I
yer she went A slow anger kindled I
his heart that she should let other {
en- talk with her, that she should
lffer another man to take her In his l
{
A number Of country dances fol-
wed. He stood by the door waiting
little before he went again to Ju-
tn. He saw Marcia across the room S
,ckoning to him with her fan. There
nothing to do but to 60 to her. S
frowned but went, still watching /
Z Judith. Marcia wanted him to J
soma Of her friends. He shook ,