Adventure Magazine, Mid-September 1917 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

94 Gaston joined in the laugh, but in his heart there wasnolaughter. Bradley was out on the floor dancing with Ethel. The smile on his face as he looked down at the little head near his shoulder was not nice to see; and Ethel was looking away, and tried to smile, and she was very young and unhappy. “Gad! It isn’t right, by ——! It isn’t right.” The woodsman’s lips moved as the words formed themselves in his thoughts. “‘She’s too young, she’s too fine, she’s too sweet.” The couple whirled past, Bradley’s clasp unnecessarily firm. ‘And he’s too wrong. Yes, by ——! ain’t right.” “Speaking to me?” Gaston turned and found Walter Loomis at his side. The two young men looked at one another and each knew what the other thought. “Why aren’t you in there, dancing?” Thorson’s question was almost a demand. “Oh, Bradley’s doing most of the dancing tonight,” was the reply. “He likes to dance—with young girls.” “Do young girls like to dance with him?” “T think there’s one that doesn’t care par- ticularly about it.” ‘“‘Why does she do it?” Loomis shrugged his shoulders. _ “Why do young girls, in certain positions, do certain things? ‘Too deep for me. It’s Bradley’s doings; Ethel’s the guest of honor, and Bradley’s keeping the honor pretty close to himself. I’ve got the fifth dance, though, a waltz.” Gaston ran his eyes over the few women present. “Introduce me to somebody, will you, Loomis? . Anybody. I just want to get out there on the floor.” ‘“‘Well”—Loomis grinned good-naturedly —‘‘the ladies are in very great demand this evening but I’ve got the next dance with old Mrs. Davis, who runs the tea-room and— come along, you can have my dance.” There was a flutter as Loomis led Gaston across the floor at the end of the first waltz. His size, his youth, and the eagle look of him were enough to attract attention any- where, but here he was in possession of a certain amount of fame. Mrs. Davis was delighted. She was a widow of twenty years’ standing; she had been beautiful in her youth, and she was not to be blamed at It Adventure feeling pride in having for her partner the most striking man, and the best dancer in the room. For Gaston danced with a grace and finish that might have delighted mas- ters. The sense of rhythm was in his blood, handed down by his French mother, and his movements, always graceful, rose as if by inspiration under the spell of music and pretty women. He whirled old Mrs. Davis around with the care and grace that might have been the due of a belle; he smiled and he chatted; and when they passed Bradley and Ethel he smiled most broadly and nearly laughed at the look of surprise that came upon Bradley’s face. “‘Let’s see, Thorson,” whispered Bradley, coming over at the end of the dance, “have you an invitation to this affair?” “‘No,”’ whispered the young man, and looked him full in the eyes. “Invitations were issued, you know.” “No; I didn’t know.” “You know now.” “Ves.” The mining man looked significantly toward the door. “Is anything more necessary to be said?” “Nothing,” replied Gaston. Bradley bowed and moved away. Gas- ton bowed, and—got a dance with Mrs. Davis’s neighbor. “IT thought you understood?” whispered Bradley coldly when that dance was over. “I do,” said Gaston. ‘I understand that you won’t make a row on the floor here, Bradley. It would be a whale of a row, too, if you started it. But you won’t. You don’t want your party spoiled. That’s what I understand, and that’s why I’m here.” Bradley smiled coldly but appreciatively. “T didn’t think you had the nerve, Thor- son. I didn’t think you were so foolish.” “Foolish?” “You had enough load to carry, my boy; you didn’t need to handicap yourself by doing this.” He turned away: ‘‘You’re done for now.” ‘‘Maybe,”’ laughed Gaston, and wandered over to a seat half hidden by the orchestra. The music struck up again; the dancers moved out upon the floor, and Gaston » looked in vain for either Bradley or Ethel. Presently he saw the former near the door occupied in his duties as host. A moment later there was a swish of dainty skirts past COMmiclsoo ©