Atlanta tri-weekly journal., 1924-08-09
CHAPTER XIV
a Dinner Panty

N n AIMING gave dinner for Gloria to
M celebrate the success Of >Eys tastes as IS
the Apple" Even though he had not
directed the picture Gloria was his find, and
he was contemplating starring her immedi-
ately. All the celebrities of the colony were
invited, and Gloria came out of her retire
ment and gayer than she had ever been
in her life.
She a silver dress simple to the point
of severity. Beneath the silver illet that
bound her hair, her greenish brown eyes
shone like stars. There was something lit
tie reckless in her manner as though she
had summoned all her nerve force to her aid
lest she be faced with something unpleasant
during the evening. In her subconscious
mind she knew that this something un-
pleasant" had to do with meeting her hus-
band, and when she gimpsed him across the
dinner table, she evinced surprise.
When she was sure that observed
her, she studied Rolf's face. He had grown
thinner, older. Every feature was sharpen
ed, but in spite of that fact he was better
looking than ever.
Perhaps it was her eagerness to show how
entirely Indifferent she was to his presence
that made Gloria let down the bars to her
reserve. perVerse recklessness seemed to
have her in it's grip and turned her into
a dangerously alluring woman. Her eyes
wore an expression of challenge and she be-
gan to firt daintily with her dinner partner.
There was a great deal of talk and laughter
and Rolf watching the byplay Manning
turn from the woman on his other side, to
strain his eyes in Glorias direction.
Something disturbingly primitive rose up
suddenly in Rolf, something very like jeal-
ousy: Somehow before tonight he had never
thought of jealousy where Gloria was con-
cerned he had never seen her cOquette with
any man; he had never thought her capable
of it, Tonight he saw her suddenly through
different eyes, and the thought of other men
l, irtSy1
leading men on with witchery of her charms,
the thought of her held in some other mans
arms stirred a perfect fury of resentment in
him.
Later in the evening, he deliberately ap
preached her and as she lifted her eyes, a
calm inquiry in their depths he asked her
to dance.
"It will be less likely to cause gossip if
we are seen on the floor at least once"
"Oh, yes we must be CAREFUL Gloria
laughed mockingly, particularly after that
brilliant article in Screen Snaps. That was
a masterpiece. You can imagine how much
| en- joyed reading it,
He did not answer, and the next minute
she found herself little breathlessy in his
arms The orchestra was playing waltz
a particularly nsdious dreamy melody and
Templeton danced well. Try as she would
not to yield to the fascination of a perfect
partner and the seductive wailing of the
vioins Gloria after time gave herself up
to the music and let him carry her where
he would. She did not know it but the utter
surrender of her went to TempletOn's head
like wine, and it was only when his arms
tightened around her that realization came
to her Then instead of drawing her bar
riers of reserve around her, she yielded
to the perverse imp of mischief that had
been stirred in her all evening.
She turned her head to look up at him,
and their eyes met
"You dance very well-for a husband"
she said little breathessly, but at the
strange expression that spread quickly over
his face, she suddenly sorry she had
spoken those words, sorry and ashamed.