Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-07-06
- Last Dance
With Her
BIZ CLARISSA MACKIE
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MARION WOODS heard the news
AI the week after her misunder.
standin" with Rolfe Burton-Sadie
Smith brought the word as she al
ways did, of every event in the town.
My dear" said Sadie Smith, 81
just came in to talk 1t over with
you-of course you would know all
about IT,"
IF knew what you were talking
about" began Marion when Sadie
burst in with an amazed expression
on her chubby face.
"Why-it's about Rolfe-they say
he is going to sail for South Amer
lea the last of the week. Why,
Marion, how pale you are !"
"That need not stop your flow of
news, Sadie" smiled Marion. ITO re-
assure you, really; l did not know
that Rolfe expected to go to South
America"
Sadie's large bright eye had flashed
to the third finger Of Marlon's left
hand. 1t was quite barrel Always
she had seen Rolfe's engagement ring
on the slim finger. Now 1t was gone
81 thought you were engaged to
Rolfe," she said suddenly.
"Did yOu?" asked Marion sweetly.
"They say that Mrs. Burton will
give party for Rolfe before he
sails" went on Sadie. 81 suppose
you will be there, MarionI"
81 have not been invited" said
Marion
None of us have, silly. sup.
pose Mrs. Burton wifi write notes to
US or telephone. Well, must be
on my way-so busy this morning"
And she was away, Marion knew,
primed with the additional infOrma-
ton that as she was no longer wear
Ing Rolfe's engagement ring, the en-.
gagement must be broken.
Among those who heard that phase
OF the affair was Tom Lincoln who
was studying law in Judge Carriers
office, and he closed his books, at
tended to one or two important mat
tiers and went home early. That eve
ming he called upon Marion Woods
at isn't a matter of the law" he
said with grlmace on his hand
some face.
81 came up for air" remarked Tom
"And speaking of frlvolty, did you
receive an invitation to Mrs. Burton's
dancer
81 am hoping that you will let me
be your escort"
"Not you, Tom, but father will
drive me there. | am very glad that
you will be there, though"
How many dances may | hayeT
ASK me afterwards, Tom. | am
usually engaged for the last dance
think the others are open"
Tom swallowed hard. "Who Is she
saving that last dance fort" he asked
himself savagely, and suddenly be-
fore his jealous eyes was a vision OF
gay Rolfe Burton. StIll, Marion was
not wearing an engagement ring this
evening and Tom took hope.
On Thursday evening Mr.. Woods
drove his daughter to the Burton
house, and. as Marion ran up the
front steps, she felt the old thrill
that used to come when she went to
her first dances-the CULVER of I'M
certainty now that ROlfe no longer
protected her.
When she came down stairs and
was greeted by rather cool Mrs.
Burton, Marion was charming In
pale green georgette party frock
There was little rush OF young men
toward her but Tom Lincoln reached
her first
Marion danced every dance, and at
times she quite forgot ROlfe, who,
danced great deal with a pretty,
dark-halred girl, Malzle Flather.
Once his eyes intercepted Marlon's
merry gaze and he bowed stlffly,
angrly, In response to her gay nod
of greeting. Deep In her heart was
little sore spot. Would ROlfe ask
her to dance? Would he ask her to
dance the last dance just for old
times sake?
She was afraid he would not, but
he did come and ask her to dance to-
ward the end Of the evening.
As they danced, she could feel the
almost savage pressure OF his arm
81 could run away with your he
said savagely
"But you won't" she suddenly
laughed at him. "YOu know that you
are angry because | will not marry
you at once and rush Off to South
America with you'll couldn't do that,
Rolfe. And / think II must have been
the real test of my love. As for you
your vanity Is wounded and"
"May I have ghe last dancer he
asked roughly.
81 am sorry" she was beginning
when he flung himself away. Marion
looked around the room, seeing the
whole scene with new vision. There
was sense OF freedom that she had
not known since her engagement to
ROfe Burton. She had not realized
how he had dominated her, and how
his proud, oyerbearing disposition had
at last worn ner love to brittleness
Now II had snapped, and she was
free.
When Tom Lincoln came and asked
again for the last dance, she nodded
gayly, and under Toms guidance she
found that dancing was new pleas
ure. When he put her IN her fathers
car, Tom whispered: as this just
dream--or might II happen again"
And she murmured: a hope, very
often 7"