Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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dance. As Diantha was going to bed that night, he set off for it, magnificent as ever in his evening dress. He was not much impressed by the “ bril- liance””’ of the occasion. An old story to him. After all, less exclusive parties were more amusing. There were plenty of gay young people present, but there was also a line of hang-overs from the previous gen- eration, who constituted themselves censors, and only succeeded in being wet blankets. Having satisfied himself that Mrs. Guyon was present, and letting her see him, the colonel quietly bided his time. Sutliffe was present, and it would hardly have been safe for him to ask Nancy to dance, or to be seen talking with her apart. His chance came when he saw her danc- ing with Forbes Bostwick, a much-run-after man in that set. The colonel picked up a neglected former beauty, a Mrs. Carmody, and sat out with her, meanwhile covertly following the other couple with his eyes. The colonel never danced. When he saw Nancy and her partner turn into the long corridor at the rear of the ballroom, he sug- gested to Mrs. Carmody that they take a stroll. The two couples came face.to face in a verdant alley. All four were acquainted, and they fell into light talk. Other couples passed them continually. Nancy was ex- quisite in white messaline and silver lace. She saw in the colonel’s eye that this was no accidental meeting, and helped him out. Mrs. Carmody, too, charmed to have an op- portunity of talking to Forbes Bostwick, helped him out, too, unwittingly. In a mo- ment or two the quartet had divided into two couples. In another moment or two a@ yard or so separated them. Since Mrs. Carmody had lowered her voice it was perfectly natural for the colonel to do so, too. “ Nancy,” he murmured out of a smiling masklike face, ‘‘ 1 want you to enter into ne- » gotiations with Sutliffe’s lawyer to buy those letters.” mask. “But you know I have tried that, He asks a preposterous price.” pes eee eee a rr in the way they think. I along for a few days. Next Thursc mark this well—write and t whatever his latest offer may be, and appoint Satur- day morning for a meeting.” sh “I understand,” she said, laughing deli- cately as at a jest. ges: ‘Listen hard. You must stipulate that Sutliffe personally is to hand over the let- ters to you, and receive securities in return. | And you must appoint the hour of eight thirty on Saturday morning for the meeting. Give any reason you like for this hour.” She nodded gayly. “It doesn’t make any difference il you appoint the meeting to take place, for 1 don’t want you to go there. Nor, unless my plans miscarry, will Sutliffe be there, either. You understand?” | “ Perfectly.” | “ That’s all, then. Very enjoyoble affair, isn’t it?” Me: Mrs. Guyon stole a lightning glance at the other couple. The flirtatious Mrs. Car- mody still held Bostwick deep in whispered | converse. “Oh, Crispin,” she murmured, “I do so want to have a real talk with me. — pose it isn’t safe!” He shook his head. “ Sutliffe is here. Doubtless watching, you. We mustn’t start him eP wanted to ask you about this girl, Diantha Lore.” ‘What have you heard about her?” he asked sharply. ‘‘ Oh—what every one hears. Is she—is she like the last one you had a your” “Good God, no!” he said, ie never thought you'd believe such talk. She’s a girl in a thousand, Nancy. A itl a fter your own heart!” ae “They say—they say,” pay rrr breathlessly, “ that you have be v much attached to her.” end ay She has changed the \ nole life!” ct we: Mrs. Guyon "leomicbooks. com