New Britain herald., 1927-06-04
CHAPTER xl Lyea Makes Coeapartoons

EHlIlp Wyuo A14Cy &V Ouly uve
 for the touch of Lyra Hilliard'
 beautiful hands-oniy saw the shift
 ing light that turned her brilliau
 eyes from gold to black-only hear, the sounds of a tender, caressin, voice speaking his name-everythinl else was forgotten. He counted tn, days by the minutes that he hat passed by her side.
 After the invitations had beer sent out. his friends, being vel bred young people. called upon hi. mother and his mothers friend That is, all of them called except Natlee.
 One evening six of them dropped in at the same time and he pro- posed that they should take up a rug and dance to the victrola. This was hailed with great joy by every one, the young people being a little shy in the presence of Mrs. Hilliard.
 Naturally the couples first paired off together as they had come, and to his great delight his mother said: Son, ask Lyra to dance-she still likes it.'
 He stood before her and she lifted her eyes to his. He caught again that wistful childish expression he had surprised in her the first day. Oh, how could he comfort her? For a moment her eyes wandered about the floor where the twinkling feet of three couples were already dancing. and then, as she slowly came into his arms, she whispered: Don't ever forget. dear Phillip. that there is absolutely nothing in the world but youth. Love it, appreciate it. keep 1t as long as you can. for afterward-there can be nothing but regret"
 Phillip could not answer.
 He could only sense that. light as thistle down. he was holding the woman in his arms who made all other woman shadows, and was guiding her about the floor as he had already begun to dream that by some miracle some time he might guide her through life.
 His fantastic fancy did not last long. for the other young men had already perceived that Lyra Hilliard was quite the best dancer in the room, and at the end of the record they rushed with one accord to en- gage her for the next dance.
 When he was perfectly sure that he must give her up to some one Of them. he asked Lucia Carr to be his partner, but was quickly sorry that he had done so. for she began im- mediately to ask questions and make comments.
 II haven't seen you with Natlec Jones lately. Is she out of town, Phil?"
 "I'm not sure. I don't know-l have not seen her lately myself" he answered in a tone which he hoped would make her understand that he did not like to talk while dancing.
 well. I'm glad. Phil. that at last you have seen that it would be i'm possible to foist Natlee upon the girls of our set. Of course. it didn't matter so much when we wore younger, but I though the other night at Arrowhead you were going to try and make us receive her no" that we are grown up"
 'I don't know, Lucia. what you are talking about. Natlee Jones and I have been chums ever since we could talk, and as for me foisting her on any one. think even I would find that impossible if Natlee did not want to be foisted. even if t were perfectly agreeable to you. With both of you against 1t, l cer- tainly should know better than to butt in.''
 He stopped abruptly as he realized that he was fighting Natlee's battle with surprising vigor for person who had treated her in the way he had lately, and who probably. in the near future. was going to humlhate her in way that she had never been humiliated before.
 Lucia had noticed his tone and she answered.: Well. you needn't get so high hat about 1t. Phil.' Then in her usua! manner she changed the subject as quickly as she had begun it.
 "Teu me about this lady that's dancing her head off with Jack. l wonder If she does not know yet that time has ruled her off the tracks:." Having won ribbon or two at the horse show, LuelIa though, i, smart to occasionally give her conversation sporty flavor.
 "1 just hate those females she continued yiciously, 'who. because they still remain thin and can put on their rouge artistically, thlnK they can fool us younger ones 10 whom the world belongs. They only fool themselves.
 "she seems to be foolinS Jack Kilgore all right. Look at h1m no" he is dreaming that he is on nice shimmery cloud dancing with radiant golden angel made for ms special benefit
 yuella Carr missed a step in the dance.
 ''Hy the way. Lucia, do you th'nR i''s just the thing to accept my mothers invitation. come into her home. and viciously attack her friends? Of course, know that Jack has been your ahject admirer for so long that one can hardly blame you for having an attack or blind staggers when you see him absorbed by any other woman
 Well, I must say Phil l am heart- fly sick Of that lady. I don't care if she is your mothers friend. Jack has not talked of any one else since