Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-08-19


fornia poppy in a daring gown o
burnt grunge. red flower In her blacl
hair.
She saw him standing there an,
called out a welconN across the room
There Is my toreador." she erie,
and crashed Into the first act prelude
from Carmen. Caleb felt himself tn,
focus OF stares that were ffiendl,
enough. but embarrassing. A ligh
laugh weH=r0und. though he senset
that it was not at his expense. anC
hands applauded. Mrs, Yedder saveC
a stage walt by coming swiftly tC
him.
"You see. you are known already
she said Now l must make them
known to you"
She led him round the room, intro
ducing him. Everyone seemed TO be q
writer, a musician, an artist. Vedder
greeted him at the punch table.
Better fOrtify yourself while II
lasts, he said. "Fhis is an anniver-
sary, mine and Mrs. Vedder's, and we
celebrate. but we are limited. Meet
Carquinez."
A short man with an enormous
shock OF straight black hair rough
~ modelled face in which black eyes
twinkled genially, dark-skinned almost
as an Indian. shook hands with Caleb.
He spoke with a Spanish accent. To
Caleb he seemed to-hHve stepped d.
reetly across from the Quarter Latin.
His wife was In absolute contrast.
She was an ashen blond. with great
masses of hair braided above and
partly about an oval face that had
perfect complexion, untouced by APP
piled aid.
She looked Ike madonna, Caleb
thought until he noticed her eyes.
They were Oriental in their piquant
slant and they were the color of jade.
He mentally docketed her as a woman
of personality and unusual brains.
Carquinez, It appeared, was an artist.
Caleb and his hostess wound up at
the piano. BromptOn was with Car
men. He had a stranded air, an APP
-pearance of having been left there by
the tide of his own feelings, wishful to
stay but conscious that he cut a figure
out Of pose, out Of harmony. Carmen
flashed eyes and teeth at Caleb as
Mrs. Vedder fluttered away with a:
"And these. you know
THAT wasn't quite fair" said Caleb.
your bringing me into strange
company with an orchestral accom-
paniment. You mustn't expect me to
live up to the role of EscamillO.'
II don't think you leave much to be
desired as q matador. In so far as |
have seen you in action"
You forget the inspiration. OF such
a Carmen"
why, you are a true caballero.
thought you must be like all the New
Englanders. l never understood that
they possessed any gallantry. If you
keep that up all evening, you viii do
very nicely" she said. And began to
sing very softly. Brompton was ig-
nored. Caleb felt sorry for him. 50
evidently in love with the girl who
made a mock Of him. but he saw no
way Of altering matters. He stood by
the lamp and the girl sang up at him.
her face,fuff in glow, her Hips shaping
the syllables OF Garments song witch
Ingly.
sGais, 81 js t.aime, prenez xous garde.
at was the toreador whom Carmen
said Caleb.
'Perhaps he didn't need It. Brom-
ny-get us some punch before it's all
gone"
Brompton departed obediently. Car
men made room for Caleb beside her
IN the plano bench.
"She hasn't come yet" she said as
Caleb looked about the room.
"She is expected, understand" he
coOlly.
Carmen gave him a queer little +,
mile. Of appreciation perhaps-or OF ,
HAS she ever thanked you properly
or saving her from the bull? haven't :
Tut / intend to-"
Brompton came back with the punch -.
nd they slipped at II, listening to the :
ak.
But Caleb found his enjoyment
larred by a creeping doubt Of Betty
'linton's appearance. Carmen per o
APPS perceived It. At any rate she Ia
eemed to have definitely attached d
aleb as her cavalier 9
Come on up into the conservatory" le
le said. 'sThe room is getting hot Il
here Is a wonderful view OF the
raft. II.
They mounted three steps together u
I'd went IN among the palms and Nc
mes. leaving the door open behind IN
EN-. m
This IS better. isn't itH- she asked N
le stood close beside him and Caleb 70
n fangibIy aware OF the appeal OF IL
r. she spoke softiy The light sub %
led her vivid eol0ring, the nAring hue 70
ear gown. bat sometime amanaknd Ia