Judge — March 3, 1923 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Mrs. Ramsay looked again at the passing dancers.” On Second Thought HE VARIED LIGHTS, the garish colors, the vocal buzz and the jazz were d been before an intended to be revolutionary. nd strong waters may have passed surreptitiously. Not that observers could see them served, for the old ostentation of bottles and their elaborate manipulation by waiters was lacking. Yet as the evening wore loud- ness increased, and here and there the gaucheries natural to the class that had made the Great White Way a naughtily descriptive phrase were noted. John Blount and his wife, from the hinterland, like so many others who have made this metropolitan locality profitable to caterers and their hangers-on, were guests, They had finish dinner in some details strange to them and, se ingly bored by each other, were watching the mildly exciting scene from a small table that had two empty chairs opposite them. While the Blounts were sipping mild drinks ordered to insure their places —for although they took no pleasure in each other’s ny they found enter- tainment in the place—a waiter placed another couple at the table. As the four began to scan one another a surprise developed. Blount blushed as he caught recognition in the second woman's face and bowed to her with an air of embarrassment. The other man there, as the enactment t by J. A. Waldron Tilustration by Robert Patterson also showed confusion, for Mrs. Blount had recognized him, and he smiled weakly as he held out his hand to her. A clumsy introduction followed, initi- ated by the women, who nervously in turn made the men acquainted and included each other by incidental gestures. The newcomers were the Ramsays. And then embarrassment settled on all four. Blount and Ramsay eyed each other guardedly, with a suggestion of antagonism, yet tried to make conversa- tion on subjects not related to the situa- tion. The women, more adept, disguised possible hostility. under superficial smiles, and chatted aimlessly. But the immediate matter absorbed the men, and Blount returned to it. we know one another—in a fashion, said, “or rather that I know your wife and you know mine!” “So it seems,” replied Ramsay uneasily. The women saw that the situation rested with them. “Oh, I knew Mr. Blount in Chicago, ages ago!” said Mrs. Ramsay. confirmed Blount, “we met in “And I knew Mr. Ramsay in Pitts- burgh,” volunteered Mrs. Blount. “The lady is correct,” Ramsay ad- mitted. “That was the place all right.” And then to Blount: “So you're from Chicago?” “Not lately. Used to live in the Windy as they call it. We're from Kala- mazoo. That's my headquarters if 1 have any steady place. I've made a little money and like to look around, Do you like Pittsburgh?” “Oh, I don’t live in Pittsburgh now,” returned Ramsay. “Located in Kansas City. I've got a few iron men too. We're here on a little vacation.” “Same here. We all come to the big town. “New York’s all right, eh?’ Ramsay cracked a smile. “For a few da es, but not per- manently unless got loads of money. Millions. othing less will do here. I'll take Kalamazoo for e with my stal “What's the idea? A man can get along all right here on a fair income “Perhaps—in a way. As a piker. rather be a big toad in a smaller puddle, as they say.” 6 (hac womEN had failed to negotiate mutual subje and tried to seem satisfied with things as they were, but unsuccessfully. Mrs. Blount was timing the music with an air meant to be uncon- cerned. Mrs. Ramsay, who had _ her vanity case out, was inspecting her latest powdering, forgetting that it was but a minute old. She seemed to doubt Mrs.