Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

548 ‘ “ Like to dance?” suggested Breedon. “ I haven’t the figger for it myself, but I see plenty young fellows here who are crazy to be introduced.” “All right,” said Carola. She did not see Breedon make any signal. By magic as it seemed, an elegant young gentleman appeared before them, and was introduced as Sandro Belisario. When Carola extended her hand he kissed it with perfect grace and assurance. She was deeply thrilled. He was a romantic look- ing young man with languorous black eyes like a movie star, and two fetching little love locks that crept down his cheeks and ended in a point. Carola thought him slightly ridiculous, but very fascinating. They started to dance. The young man was lost in a dreamy daze from which he issued very in- frequently to speak. Speech, however, was scarcely necessary, for he danced like an angel. Through the shoulder upon which her fingers lightly rested, and through the hand which grasped hers, Carola could feel how his whole body yielded to the music. It was dangerously intoxicating. In order to keep her feet she felt obliged to say some- thing. “ How beautifully you dance, Mr. Beli- sario.” “That is because I am dancing with you,” his silky voice whispered in her ear. Oh, dear, thought Carola, American boys will never learn to make such pretty speeches. On the wrist which was extended, she caught the glint of a heavy circlet of gold. He saw her looking at it. “A gift from a friend,” he murmured. “It is welded on my arm. I swore to wear it until I die.” Carola felt as if she were living in a novel. When the dance drew to a close he began to quote poetry in her ear: “Ttter no softly whispered vow There is no need For any now. Dance silently warm hand in hand With beating hearts That understand.” That was all. No explanation. How preg- nant with warm and mysterious meaning. Carola was thrilled afresh. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. * Well, how did you like the wop?” asked Breedon when she returned to the table. ‘“ He’s too good-looking to be left around loose,” said Carola. “His father is a laborer,” said Breedon carelessly. “ Paul picked him up shining shoes in City Hall Park.” “So much the more credit to him then,” said Carola. “ His manners are beautiful.” “Hm!” said Breedon. When the music started again, Mr. Beli- sario hastened back to ask for another dance. At the same time arrived a blond young man who was introduced as Jack Winters. He had light brown hair that looked as if it had been marcelled. Carola, not wishing to favor Mr. Belisario too signally, accepted the blond. He, too, danced beautifully. Unlike the other, he talked all the time; it was a gay rattle signifying little. He represented him- self as being perfectly worthless, and ap- peared to expect to be liked for it. Carola did like him, but he was unable to efface the impression that the romantic Mr. Beli- sario had made. Her next partner was Claude Tanner, a young man with slightly protuberant brown eyes which somebody must have told him were “ compelling.” He bored her through and through with them. He asked Carola if she didn’t think he looked like Mussolini. She didn’t. To her his eyes had no more expression than a pair of gumdrops, but she kept that to herself. He impressed upon her that he had been to Harvard, and was acquainted with all the prominent men ir his class. This one bored Carola. He was succeeded by a dainty little fel- low called Freddy Earl, who had a soft, reedy voice, and a killing manner. He im- mediately took Carola into his confidence in a certain way that was new to her, whispering innocent little morsels of scandal concerning the people in the place, just like one girl to another. He was a new type to Carola. But all four were desirable partners, and undoubtedly the best dancers in the room. It was highly agreeable to Carola’s vanity to have them hasten to the table, and con- , tend half seriously for the honor of dancing with her. Other women who had nobody Gomichooks (E©)