The broad ax., 1926-07-24
Antique
Treachery

ITO think Of you bein' beholden to
such upstairs! Lordyl" Mrs. Mallow
sighed-then shrugged, got up and
took from wax box on the table
something gay. colorful. frilly beyond
expression, and much creased. AS
she spread 1t, many of the creases
broke into long rents. She groaned
at the sight. This was pretty-and l
was pretty-when I wore It," she
said. Hoped could fix it over some
how for you" she went on. ''But
don't seem 1 can"
But 1 cam" Ann cried shaking out
the frilled frock, so full 1t swirled
about her In a cup Of color. "Tu
show you what I'm going to do-be
a heap easier than telling"
Ann had an inspiration, born of
despair. The party at Sunset, the
show place of Bush creek, was her
one chance OF dancing to her hearts
desire. When she stepped upon the
ballroom floor in clouds of creamy
gauze, underlaid with vivid pink satin,
she knew herself apparently, sub
timely well dressed. The satin had
been hard to handle-yet, thanks to
dabs of paste, bits of artistic darn
ing, it showed fair and firm against
its backing of old net curtains. Her
as her draperies, fitted exactly and
were so far from the mode they
seemed of new fashion Ordinarily
she was hardly even pretty, but in
the glow and sparkle of triumph she
outbloomed the fairest rose. Young
Wilton, the heir to Sunset, claimed
all the dances a host decently could
before he let her pass. Then his
cousin, Cecil Verdray, comrade of the
grand tour just ended, tall, dark, mer-
ry-eyed, but with satiric twist to
his lips, laid claim to the lions share
Of what was left. Inevitably, since
men are given to covet what other
men desire, every dance was cut In,
more than once.
Ann, taken 10 supper by Verdray,
with Wilton lowering not far off, was
supremely happy, sitting at ease in
shaded light, with soft outer airs
refreshing her. She was not tired
indeed, she felt that she could 20 on
dancing forever. 1t was intoxicating
to have Verdray leaning down to say
very low: 81 wonder If ever 1 shall
feel as happy as you look right now"
Il hope sol It's nice to be happy.
You may have part Of my happiness
indeed, 1t belongs to you"
How do you make that out?" he
interrupted artfully.
Ann laughed softly, asking hardly
above breath: wouldn't 1t thrill you
to know-every other man was envy
Ing your
Hadn't thought Of it--but it does.
thrills" Verdray began. The music
cut him short. That's too good to
be wasted" he said.
AS they came into full light, Tom
my Cricker, a crude lad of nineteen,
cried loudly: my Lord, Ann! Some
feller's been treatin' you rough.
Danced so hard you're all witch stir
rups' crost the back and under the
arms" -
Verdray's face was murderous-a
glance at Ann showed him the piteous
truth. What with dampness and
crushing the gauze Of her frock was
all in wispy strings, above shreds Of
treacherOus satin, violently misplaced.
Beth Croker, whose eyes had been
among the very greenest rushed for
ward to say to Tommy, still in roars
Of laughter: Hush your noise" and
then to Ann: You'd better 20 to
the dressing room-maybe the maid
can fix you half way. If she can't
you stay here until mother wants to
60 home. I'm engaged three deep for
every dance" Then with a malicious
smile to Verdray: You lost your
chance by waiting until after supper"
For answer, he swept Ann away,
saying no word, until she was safe
In the dressing room. There he made
her turn slowly about, looking the
while critically at the wreck of her
frock Wrapping her in somebody's
evening cloak, he said masterfully:
You stay right here and rest until
l come back
She could do nothing else. 1t was
hard to sit alone, with hands clench-
ing, knowing how the story of her
misadventure was being rolled a sweet
morsel under the tongues of girls and
women, who were 50 much more for
tunate they might well have pitied
her. But she did not cry. Now and
then a dry sob swelled and choked
her, but she made no sound. 1t
seemed that she sat through years,
but at last the time ended. The room
was empty. Mrs. Wilton came In, pro-
PEELED by Verdray through the door.
Her hands overran with something
soft, rich colored, richly fringed.
Patting AIMS shoulder kindly she
said: "Stand up, my child. 1 know
how tricky antiques can be. But this
will cover more sins than charity"
AS she spoke she draped the fringed
length Of rich embroidery about Ann,
In such fashion as to hide everything.
When 1t was fast, she babe Ann:
Powder your nose and run along
Cecil, my pet nephew, won't be COM
Portable until he sees you. I have
something, though, to tell him-just
this A girl who can stand such luck
as this, calamity as you have done,