Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-26

| the menu. chris EllerSlle nau SCraWl
| ed Delighted" across It in letters
about an inch high, and Elizabeth was
duly triumphant.
Marcia Lane found herself wonder
| ing about the rather silent man at hel
side. She thought he was watching
them all.
He had a quality OF aloof detach
ment whoich puzzled her. He was not
shy-no, certainly he was not shy
neither was he bored.
On the contrary, that there was
something in the people or the situa
ton which interested him to an un
common extent. she felt convinced
She asked him if he was n keen dan
GER, and at once he countered with q
request for the first two dances.
Marcia said. "All right; and then
You didn't answer my question:
II was afraid you wouldn't dance
with me If l told the TRUTH
Marcia's very blue eyes stared a lit
tie. When she looked like that they
bore a certain resemblance to the
round. blue. painted eyes of cloth
doll; her black cropped hair went
oddly with them.
What is the TRUTH"
Promise you won't back out"
II never back out
well. then-I haven't danced for
ten years"
Marcia gasped.
Where have you been?"
Laydon's look was one OF amuse.
ment. His voice had a tinge of irony.
Farming" he Said-"just farming"
And then Elizabeth broke in, talk.
Ing to the whole table at once while
her ice became strip.
1T was an absolutely priceless book.
/ fund it on aunt's bookshelf. ] be-
lieve it was called The Art of Dress
Perfectly and absolutely priceless. my
children. No, listen-it really was.
Giles, tell your wife I'll never speak
to her again If she interrupts. There
was a woman in 1t who for so years
had the reputation Of being always
well dressed. and how did she do it?
All. you may we'll ask"
I'VE didn't ask" said Barbara Mos
tyn with her delicate drawl.
Tommy asks-don't you, Tommy
and all my really nice guests. She
did 1t on three black velvet gowns.
Yes, they were gowns in 80 years.
After about 10 years the original
one descended to second best occa-
sions like family gatherings and SO on.
The woman who wrote the book laid
down the law like nothing you've ever
read. You either wore black velvet,
or else you had to match your hair in
the daytime and your eyes at night.
Think of me black all day and
changing into a nice dark brown for
the evening: And oh! my angel chill
dren. what price Evelyn walking down
Bond Street in frock that matched
her hair?"
Ripping" said Tommy Lane with
conviction.
Els it really 10 years since you
danced?"
Layton looked down at Marcia
Lane in her tight, short dress. The
ballroom was filling rapidly. All the
women wore dresses of the same
scanty type: nearly all of them had
short hair.
Marcia's dress would. in color, have
satisfied the arbitrary lady quoted by
Elizabeth. since II was a very bright
cornflower blue, though nearly COW
cred by a shawl Of black net embroid-
cred all over with brilliant silken
flowers.
In every other respect both Marcia
and hsr dress would have shocked the
poor Victorian lady past recovery.
women were dressed in 1914. Not
like this. anyhow. He said:
Eyes, it's 10 years
How oddr'
Eyes, isn't IL? Shall we begin?"
''But look here. You won't know
any Of the dances. What did you
dancer"
"Oh, one steps. Bostons-"
"Oh!" said Marcia. well, II I'm for
1t. I'm for 1t. Come along"
Before they had gone the length of
the room Marcia's spirits had risen.
Modern dancing does not require much
knowledge of steps. but makes unlim.
tied demands on a sense OF rhythm,
poise and balance.
Laydon was holding her as only a
good dancer holds his partner. with a
firm lightness that promised well.
When they were nearly around he
Eaid:
This is quite easy. What do you
call TT"
Marcia's suspicion nared.
Look here. are you spoofing me?
Don't you really know a fox trot?"
"No-Im pure savage"
Honest Intun?"
He nodded.
"Yes-really."
Chris Ellerslie's party was just
coming in. AS they passed the arch
lined with mirrors Evelyn stood there
reflected, her dress a golden sheath.
her neck and arms as white as pearls.
Marcia threw her a nod.
I'm back again. Yesterday"
Laydon did not speak. He saw Chris
and Evelyn melt into the sliding crowd
and lost them there.
Where was your farm" asked
Marcia abruptly.
"A little past the back Of beyond.
Miss Lane. I'm really not civilized at
all. ! didn't even see newspaper or
get letter for 10 years"
Marcia showed that she was
startled and he laughed little.
mo, ii wasn't penal servitude or a
iunatic asylum. IT really was a I rm. ~
And now you've come back?
Doesn't IL seem stranger"
Yes. very strange"
I'VE must all seem queer to you
different TO the people you remember.
IL that why you watch us?"
"Do | watch your"
"Yea 4 noticed IN af 1nre and