Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-01-22
THE
EGG
DANCE
By A. HALLIDAY-ANToNA
"a py Snort story pub. Coz

Mediterranean and started as
lie glanced down the tortuous
ascent of the driveway. For a moment
he stared at red sunshade, held
above dainty toilette, and which
made a bright splash of color against
the green background Of semi-tropieal
shrubbery. Presently, as the sunshade
drew near, 1t was tilted slightly back
ward, disclosing the features Of the
owner. With an exclamation BEDFORD
sprang down the piazza steps to meet
her.
"By the gods Mabel Carruthers
And five minutes ago / was picturing
her In Central park"
She of the red sunshade looked up
ward with a smile Of recognition, which
was in itself proof that Redfords
unexpected appearance was an agree
able surprise. Then Redford found
himself apologizing for the excessive
Iscordiallty Of his greeting, by explain
ing that any patriotic American should
always be exuberant at meeting one
Of his countrywomen so far from home.
IL SuuuclIly OCCuIIcu " min that tHAS
was rather an impersonal compliment,
and he promptly foundered deeper by
| trying to express the vast difference
between Mabel Carruthers and other
American women AS this did not
seem to strike exactly the right chord
| of his intention, he mentally cursed
his tongue because 1t was unable to
gather the points his mind wished to
convey. Redford's laundering attempt
| to twist an appreciative note into his
excuse made her uneasy. On her part
the girl remained silent. She glanced
down a little path leading to the lower
! terraces, with the shimmering blue
waters of the Mediterranean beyond,
and appeared somewhat relieved on be-
holding Mrs Carruthers climbing up
YEARLY.
81 ran away" she laughingly ex-
planned, as Redford's eyes followed her
gaze. Mother will be glad to see you.
The sight of an American makes her
forget the state of her health"
4 BEDFORD glanced quickly into her
face, and she blushed prettily
"There," she exclaimed, my compli-
ment was even more awkwardly ex-
pressed than yours, but won't try to
rectify It."
The welcome Redford received from
Mrs Carruthers was evidence that she
regarded him as more than a chance
acquaintance She gave him to un.
derstand that he was human oasis
In a desert of European snobocracy
BEDFORD was both surprised and de
lighted. Mrs. Carruthers on the River
( side drive and Mrs. Carruthers al
I Monte Florino displayed two different
personalities. 1t set BEDFORD to won
dering. 1t appeared that the Ameri
can, like the European, acquired ar
additional value when away from hi:
country. He glanced at the owner o.
the red sunshade, and wondered i
she had also changed her relative
opinion. At the bare hope that /
might be so, his heart beat quicker.
Ten minutes afterwards, as he saun
tered by himself down the path Mrs
Carruthers had toiled, he tried to ap
proximate the values Mabel set upol
certain Of her friends. A score 0
times he brought himself before hi
minds eye, and then flushed at hi
own vanity. 1t seemed so utterl
ridiculous, yet there were some littl
things that pushed themselves forwar
to be tested and assayed. Redfor
sighed over these little happenings I
the long acquaintanceship betwee
himself and Miss Carruthers. Pile
one on top of the other they could nc
make a footstool of hope, and yet tr
as he would he could not push theI
into the background. They perslste
in putting an estimate upon then
selves. They were defiant memorie
that refused to be shut out. A lunc
at Lesbert's, an opera supper. sun
MGR evening at the Polo grounds an
half-dozen rose-pink patches Of h
life stood up and claimed values ths
he knew were little more than dream
delightful. undoubtedly. but nethir
In them that was really tangible I
definite.
At last. at the end of long wal
he admitted that II he was ignorant
the trend of those moments so far I
they concerned the cementing Of Il
friendship between himself and Nab
Carruthers into an abiding and deep
sentiment, there was chance thu
might signify more than he scarce
dared to hope He could only. discov
by one method. and 1t was with
smile of gathering confidence
walked up the hotel steps on his !
turn.
The Fates seemed kind to the you
!. American on that spring evening.
= found Miss Carruthers on the wi
,m..promenade outside the ballroo
through the open windows came t
Irans of military band and t
Of the dancers, but the mer
merit and the music annoyed Redfo
e proposed walk down the moon
terrbces. al d his pulse quickened VIII