San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-13

little circle:
"Why not invite this quaint ole
bird of Tina's to join US? What
colossal idea?"
There was general approval
only Tina demurred. Somewhere
inside of her-somewhere in the
lovable Tina-there was a voice
that whispered: "All very well for
you to heap ridicule on him, but
would you allow them to regard
him as a buffoon? After all, he
was very sporting in his attitude
toward you tonight"
NO." she said, firmly, "the idea
doesn't appeal. After all, I've got
to live near him down there in the
country, and he may kick against
this"
"Quite right" said Charlton, but
he smiled down his nose at the
others and they were content to
leave the rest to him.
Half an hour later he dispatched
a letter to John Humphrey inviting
him to meet a few friends at Lady
Pinter's place in Lancaster Gate,
and assuring him that Miss Car
teret, who was of the party, would
take it as compliment.
Then some hours of aimless talk,
music that was more narrowing
than debts, controversies that were
based on ridiculous theses, gossip
and Tagging" that would have in
suited any intelligence not dulled
by wine and more daring excuses.
Tina was beginning to make COM
parsons between the beautiful
simplicity" of John Humn'. ICY and
the faded smartness of the crowd
about her when Lady Pinter whis-
pered that she looked tired and
should go to bed.
an come along to ee you safe
~ tucked up" she aoL d, and there
was something almost maternal in
her solicitude. Perhaps (who shall
say?) Tina's youthfulness made
reproachful appeal to her own
consciousness of the advancing
wears and the wrinkles Immediately
beneath the enamel-the folly of
sacrificing the glory of youth in
order to be numbered among the
clever and the go-ahead.
And she did go along to the bed
room after Tina was between the
sheets. She sat by the side of the
bed and looked down enviously at
the golden hair and the healthy
cheeks, the full red lips and the
glorious curves of the neck and
"Teil me, Red Mouse" said Lady
Pinter, "are you too tired to squeak
little?"
81 can keep one eye open, dear"
as there anything in this story
of the Humphrey man ?"
''Do you mean anything serious?
Between him and me ?"
"Umps."
"Good heaven, no! He's aw-
fully keen, of course. At least /
think he is, but
"He has plenty of money!"
"The usual tons of t."
might love you and be the nice,
quiet, devoted fellow that you
wouldn't mind looking at across
the breakfast table now and them"
"What are you driving att"
Lady Pinter bent lower as she
whispered:
"Why don't you, my dear? A
rich husband who takes things
quietly and understands that
young wife must have her liberty
is not to be sneezed at. There isn't
one of the women in that other
room who would blame YOU"
"But / have no regard for him
in that way, Lady Pinterw
Don't be sloppy, child. The pro-
lection of a man like that is al
ways worth while. No woman of
today is ever really free to do as
she likes until she's the pampered
slave of some dear old fellow who
can afford to humor her every
whim. I'D love to meet
him."
Tina laughed mildly.
81 believe you'd tumble into his
arms like a shot, ," she said. ooh,
you funny, funny woman"
Lady Pinter leaned further over
and kissed the red lips.
GO to sleep" she said. '1'm
going back to the crowd. ] can
hear them raging and you
know what Charlton is when he lets
60"
But Tina had been aroused. She
lay awake for a long while and
listened to the chatter that came
along the corridor to her room.
Doors were wide opem; servants
were packed off to bed; the men
folk of the party were acting as
waters; a piano began to tinkle;
there was the sound Of dancing
somebody was playing the trap
drummer" with the fire-irons.
CHAPTER VII.