Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-08-02
CHAPTER 8

small dark head tilted upwards, her
teeth agleam and eyes sparkling--with
Martin James, powerful, blond and a
trifle condescending. What were they
saying? "Your fiancee certainly can
dance" a friend congratulated him.
"She's a wonder-prettiest girl in the
room-you're a lucky devil, Pete"
The engineer flushed happily. "You
bet l am"
"a good thing you know it-there
are a dozen men crazy over her-bet-
ter watch out. She's too lovely to be
careless about. See you later
Peter was about to cut in on Cara
when in the colorful lowering about
the edge of the dance floor, he started
on seeing a face that evoked host
of pleasant and half-forgotten child
hood memories. With that beaming
smile of pleasure which was one of his
greatest charms, the engineer turned
aside and STROBE across the floor.
Helena Merwin!" he cried delight
edly. ooh, thou gentle wanderer,
where in the world have you been?
India? China? Or was it Timbuctu
Haven't seen you about Baltimore in
a coon's age"
At his frank enthusiasm the girls
delicately patrician feature flushed
deep rose.
"Good old Peter!" she smiled, ex-
tending a slender, white hand. "I'm
just back from abroad and it's so very
nice to be home again-especially for
the spring hunts. Where've I been?
Oh, drifting here and there-a bit of
Biarritz and Budapest. I was going
to Murren-but well, I had to come on
some tiresome business matters.
How's my old playmate? How's the
great engineer?"
Peter sighed and frowned a little.
"Don't mention business. I've had my
troubles. Isn't it funny-we never
knew how lucky we were when we
were just kids chasing around the
countryside on ponies. Doy you re-
remember 2"
Indeed do. Could I ever forget"
she smiled, as into her patrician fea-
lures crept a fresh tinge of color.
what fun we had on them? Remem-
Der the time I fell off, tainted and
Remember Bucephalus and Rosinante,
and" Dark lashes, surprisingly long,
suddenly lay against the pale contour
of her cheek and Peter glanced up con-
siderably amused.
"You mean the time kissed you?"
eyes," said she, laughing lightly.
ats funny, in all these years we've
been apart 1--we never forgotten it.
1t was terrible surprise-then when
the danger was all over you were so
worried for fear I'd hurt your pony.
You were a funny grave little boy,
Peter"
AS they stood reminiscing on the
edge of the dance floor, both were ut
terly unconscious that more than one
pair of eyes fingered on them openly
admiring. 1t was no novelty for Hell
ena Merwin's slender and almost mill
tarily erect figure invariably COM
manded admiration as did her pale
beauty crowned by ash blonde hair
that was slightly waved and gather
ed into neat, cleaning knot at the
nape of her neck. Then, too, the pale
powder blue evening gown she wore
became her with stunning negligence
that bespoke an infinitely skilled and
expensive costumer and her tiny silver
slippers were work of art. AS it
happened her gown afforded perfect
and unconscious contrast to Peters
gravely brilliant scarlet coat, gleam-
ing white shirt front and black trous-
ers. A moment Helena gazed levelly
up into the engineers eyes, her soft
scarlet lips slightly parted.
''Is it true, Peter" she demanded in
deep, rich tones, "that you're going to
be married? Some one told me it's
to be right soon."
All the demons of uncertainty drove
their pitchforks into Peters heart and
he flushed miserably. eyes, we've set
no definite date yet-you'll like Cara
I'm sure" He would have spoken fur
ther, but the Master of the Fox
Hounds, cordial, gray haired aristo-
crat, strobe up, red faced and BEAM
ing.
"Well, WE'LL" the M. F. H. cried
heartily, touching each on their Shout
ders. ut looks like the good old days
to see you two together. Hope you're
home to stay a while Helena"
eyes, Uncle jack" the girls smile
wavered little uncertainty. 81 rath-
er imagine I'll be here for quite long
while nOWO