The Danger Mark

ight. The fresh odour of roses filled her room when her

ted dressing her about three. Afte

h Avenue and the neighbouring side streets were jammed with motors and carriages on the bright January afternoon th

number of people popularly identified with the sort of society which newspapers delight to revere; and a few people of real distinction; and a young girl, noticeably pale, standing bes

r right by inheritance, but the animation of her clever mother was lacking. Also, some said that her manners still smacked

rived it found her physically and mentally unresponsive; the endless reiteration of names sounded meaninglessly in her ears, the crowding faces blurred. She

h a confusing similarity of contour fore and aft who blocked the lines and rattled on like a ma

and now remembered. And Na?da had taken her white-gloved hand shyly, whisperi

were so many, many youths of the New York sort, all dressed alike, all resembling one another-ma

st dinner dance. Later, when her maid released her with a grunt of Gallic disapproval, she, distrai

he asked Kathleen, w

d you happen to thin

as such a splendid litt

ern said

ndid man. I might as wel

orld do you me

er horrid abroad. Some women don't

rid?

ruinous for a boy. I hate to disillusion you, but for several years people have

y? I am old en

was notoriously wild. There were

r into your cheeks!" exclaimed her b

gown is perfection, dear; are you

I really am, internally; but perhaps I haven't learned how to show it.... Don't I look

gown are charming. Come, we are late,

er married set, who spoke to her amiably, particularly a Mrs. Dysart, who said she knew Duane Mallett, and who was so friendly that a bit of colour warmed Geraldine's pal

American scarab, detained her with the smallest and

ed. If he's pig enough not to talk to you, it wouldn't surprise me-and it's just as well, too, for if he likes anybody he compromises them, but it's no use your ever liking a Grandcourt, for all the men make rotten husbands-I'm glad R

rely switching to another subject without interrupting her steady stre

ostess, then at young Delancy Grandcourt, who, not perceptibly abashed by his moth

"nobody minds 'em.... Shall we exchange nonsens

what?" she as

king to me about not

ine re

ally talk ab

d. "I never ha

don't like débutant

about me.... If you would talk

ome man to pass between them. The very ornamental man did not pass, h

now her name; and, for a moment after she had told him, surprise and a confused sense of resentm

his incident was evidently another example of custom smilingly ignored. She looked up questioningly, and Dysart,

hat I simply couldn't help coming over to hear whether your voice matc

t as you do.... Is it because I look a simp

ng to punish me

d I don't

ext you at dinner," he said with his mos

and, pushing his way toward his h

gh, as she turned involuntarily to glance at her neighbour on the right, it was Dysart's pale face, clean

aid, "when you want a thing very

me whether I want

e made a pretence of rising. His pale, beautifully sculptured f

do such a thing-no

-I'd do anyth

that he had been taking more or less for granted in tormenting h

t offended," he mu

t she merely shrugged. "Then

h pretty shoulders,"

diotic rep

t you thin

ha

y shou

anything abou

s anything the matter

ndsome dark gaze on her while

corners, don't they?" he inqu

t tips up?"

r ey

e delighted malice in Dysart's face; and she laughed a little, and laughed again when he did.

l that moment, had apparently held him interested when his food faile

s. Evidently she was not missing him. Evidently,

t?" he asked wistfully, lea

ced back acros

; and returned again to the impertinent one, quite ready for mor

there was something vaguely caressi

s something almost d

aldine, looking up from her i

ful compliments I pay you, that perh

ly more absu

ily chiselled ring on his little finger, but every few moments his expressive eyes r

ou and I are really equipped for be

observed.... "Isn't th

nd so a

etended no

the room, where it settled lightly as a butterfly on his wife, and there it poised for a moment'

tentions with childish irritation. She didn't know any better. And there was now no time to patch up matters, for the signal to rise had been g

of tobacco-smoke he encountered Peter

nquired, lighti

known in society as a "dancing man." He also led cotillions, and a moral

tle Seagrave girl

wered indi

s output. She's weedy. They all ought to mar

ry w

that no woman is possible unless she's married," yawned Tappan.

him; but Dysart turned around with

-made appeals to you. You think as you eat-heavily-and you miss a few thi

ar from his lips, rolled it meditativ

e been saying that sort of thi

as true now as it ev

ou that I might get tired hearing it....

ndcourt, even as a schoolboy, had invariably been tinged with tolerance and good-humoured contempt. Dysart had always led in everything; taken what he chose wit

lising your dinner partner?" asked Dysart, smili

ar again. "I'm tired of that

ort of

elf with what y

turned as though to go. Around them through the smoke ros

id Grandcourt heavily. "I'm an ass

alted pa

y mother, I've never had a chance; she makes me out

at him with a

Grandcourt's cheek-b

u had better let me h

ance do

u wanted-your shadow always falls between me and anybody I'm inclined to like....

you seem to have of me,"

u. I always was.

d, and stopped short. Then: "You certainly are absurd. Delancy! I wouldn't deliberately

d you are always trying to see how far you can arouse their inte

artaches!" said Dysa

s the reason you find it amusing.... Not t

to damn me utterly. Now go and dance with little Miss

sorry I spoke, now," he said. "I never

d fellows, with a scattering of the usual "dancing" men on whom everybody could always count, and a few middle-a

dle investigations. But this was Sylvia's second season, and she would no doubt learn several things of which she heretofore had been unaware. Just at present, however, her heart was ve

ightened her terribly; that she could not keep away from him terrified h

talking to me during dinner," she faltered. "I was

lp playing his part, even when it no longer interest

he said. "Peter Tappan is only an overgrown boy. If you had rea

y expected to do. For it had, as usual, surprised him to realise, too late, how dangero

ce with her as a great treat, resolving never to experiment any more with anybody.... True, it might have been amusing t

smile or the caressing cadence of his voice, or the subtle, indefinite something in him which irritated men but le

ing any particular trouble to find Geraldine, discovered her eventually as the centre of a

y and their own say; she was not handling them skilfully; yet there seemed to be a charm about this young girl that detached m

t noticed it in her nervous laughter; in a slight exaggeration of gesture with fan and flowers; in the quick movement of her restless little head, as though it were incumbe

the circle, and reminded Geraldine

d her lips to assent-when a young man, passing, swung around abruptly as though to

w him; and at the same moment Kathleen's admoni

stretching out her hand acro

milingly, retaining her hand in such a manner as prac

known me had you been amiable en

he casually inspected Dysart, who, not at all pleased, returned his gaze with a careless unconcern verging

d, with smili

e you again." And withdrew her h

r two? You are not going to dismiss me with that

us about it that t

where she had left him, exceedingly wroth at experiencing the sort of casual treatment he had

ysart meant to a

ett, laughing; "I mean to as

ze, hesitated, then with a nervous, gay little gesture to

e same instant she became aware that something new had been suddenly awakened in he

you have taken me forcibly away

n't c

not at least hav

g short. There was something overbearing in

t. Voice and manner required some proper resp

light pressure of her bare

, and forward once more. It was most interesting; he backed up, guided right and left, and started forward or halted under perfect control. What had she been afraid of in him? She vent

en growing fast, feverishly, and was just now passing that period where the desire for mascul

time their glances met she smiled a lit

me?" she asked. "Are w

ut a dance or two in the

dly. "Here are some pa

about; she saw them, too, note

milingly regarding him while he lugged

, she seated herself

ly looked it. Neither of them resembled the childish recollections or preconceived notions of the other. They found themselves insp

or they were strangers-this tall young man, with his gray eyes, pleasantly fashioned mouth, and cleanly moulded cheeks;

thleen had said about him; looked up, instinctively questioning him with curious, uncomprehending eyes; then her gaze wan

ruptly: "I never expected you'd grow up like this. You've turned into a different kind

id

my temper sparring with Scott. Your hands were small bu

r her knee, and tilted back against the pa

hair flew-it was thick and dark, with rather sunny high lights; and you were always running-always o

aid, watching him over her gently waving

you it

ickly. Do you find Sco

as you. Do you fi

ly as muc

n of polite indifference brightened into

en studying paintin

you been doing a

face. "It has been lonely-until re

l me you were lo

her recollection. She leaned forward, looking at him curiously; the old

impressively grown-up you are, Duane. I didn't expect you t

at kind of an expressi

wise, as though, deep inside, you were tired of something; no, not exactly

rt; and the memory of what she had h

to be, still? You know more than I do-you know different kinds of things: your face and voice and

d and unmistakably the interest of a man for a woman, that he was looking at her as other men had now begun to look at

ust be classed with other men-man in the abstract-that indefinite and int

es all the time you w

went about, was asked to shoot in Engl

you wo

t it disg

n three salons. What

of Lady Bylow and

t a su

They gave me a

exclaimed warmly. "And

'The Witch.' R

t wa

e people around. I don't know why I did it-the painting of textures-her flesh, and the armou

ey rewa

N

the thir

girl," he sa

ive you a p

Only a m

t a po

in a

it? Just

es

was

ust a

she p

we dance t

s she a

pos

edge of her spread fan,

mantic life, isn't

ha

and I found Murger's story in the library. I have also read 'Trilby.' Di

I never saw that species

any romance?" sh

you find in New Y

ny romance

nly one has the instinct to recognise

ios and models and poverty everywhere.... I suppose th

laughing when

o difference. Romance is in

u?" she aske

ence of restrai

entials.... You ask if it is in me. I think it is. I think it exists in anybody who can glorify the commonplace. To make people look wi

d. "I'm listening very hard. You ar

disconcerted, piqued, and withal ch

h not to? Women are usually soulfully receptive when a painter opens a

at," she said, the excitement of her

ctual. See here, Geraldine, it's simply wicked!-you are so soft and pretty, and nobody could suspect y

ng, Duane! How perfe

ou've sc

me. You know well enough that I

hey, in Hea

ers that concern life-th

hint of indifference, something of listlessness, almost fatigue in the expression of his eyes. And ag

nd you," she said

ghost of a shadow p

alking a

think y

y n

resting in softly troubled curves, she thought of what Kathleen

later she rose

id, unconsciou

oss the room

ell you-" he began; and s

ant you to ask her to dance, too.... Please don't urge me, Duane. I-this is my first dinner dance-yes, my very first. And I don't intend to sit in corners-I wish to dance; I desire to be happy. I want to see lots and lots of men, not ju

still watching them. Suddenly

ompensation in me some day,"

paw me, Duane; you hurt my hand. L

'm sorry for anything

aid nothing for a moment; their

to tyrannise over me as you did whe

the bully

hen I'll

on't; it's

if I c

y i

Take me to

have the da

k little lights glimmered in hers; h

or dragging me about by my hair? I want to tell you something, Duane: these blunt, masterful men

ng at heel," he said;

ount on you at all," she re

have it

you th

peak the way I did. Won't y

... I was told you were.... Now I can belie

two he said, not

I'm not a brute. Something abo

t talk about

o see you again, and I d

ed. "I don't know very much about men in the world, bu

as

e easiest way to take with me on every occasion.... Duane, do you know,

slowly. "But-I was never a

iendly manner. "Do let us agree, Duane. Mercy on us! we ought to adore each other-unless we have forgotten

as no girl to equa

ly, not quite knowin

ane! It will be g

ou me

you make me uncertain-you make me uncomfortable. I don't know just what to say to you

up. "No," he said, laughing; "I'll open another

ners, a gay, rosy, eager throng, filling drawing-rooms, conservatory, and library with birdlike flutte

of those carefully thought out intellectual affairs which

he distributed favours-live white cockatoos, clinging, flapping, screeching on gilded wands; fans spangled with tiny electric jewels; parasols of pink silk set with incand

ches, and the inevitable torn gowns and crushed flowers; and a number of young men talking too loud and too much in the cloak-room, and Rosalie Dysart admitting to Scott Seagrave in the

-room, where later she became utterly transfigured into a laughing, blushing, sparklin

ling the gay, unending chorus; life was the hot breeze from scented fans stirring a thousand ros

he boy she remembered; awkwardness of readjusting her relations with him had entirely vanished; she called him dear Duane, lau

oment's preliminary silence; and Duane, dumb, furious, yielded her only when she took Dysart's arm with a finality that beca

o the cause of it, he turned abruptly and collided with Grandcourt, who had edge

wishing him to find Miss Seagrave. He stood, awkwardly, looki

id vaguely. "What a noisy supper-room-eh, Mallett? I'm

ted forwar

s. Severn wants

etter go and tel

o follow Geraldine and Dysart, who had now

nt, the two men stood side by side; t

find her brother and Mrs. Severn"; and w

uided him-Dysart, her fan in his hands, looked up at Duane intensely annoyed, and the young gi

for you," sai

in a minu

ed Dysart insolently,

Mallett's face; he turn

raldine; "Duane

, but she passed in front of him a

wait for

en in their childhood, the resurgence swept the

ua

ha

t for me-here!" Sh

waited. She t

ffering her han

: "But I had

d-ni

speak, thought better of it, made a characteristically grace

h the flower-set dimness a step or two, halted, an

"the champagne ha

nse

skin fits too tight. My legs do

oward him; her feverish

n't it disgraceful?

't let it

act-how to accept my liberty. I don't know how to use it. I'm a perfect fool.... Do you think Kathl

anyway-and you'll

ve talked to-night more than I ever have in any one week.... And it's gone to my head-all this-all these people who laugh with me over nothing-follow me, tell me I am pretty, ask me for dances, favours, beg me for a word with them-as though I would need

ed his ar

Oh, the happiness of this one night!-the happiness of it! I never shall have enough dancing, never enough of pleasure.... I-I'

ng her on the edge of the palms whi

Dysart? Yes-

d, and you'd bette

ous astonishment which set th

course-I di

ean? Isn't it-s

e. Only he's a sort of a pig

er-p

ed her toward the light. She made no effort to c

fore I meant it.... Do let me laugh a little, Duane. I simply cann

so loud," h

nk down on a marble seat be

e champagne has gone to my silly head-and you'll never catch me this way agai

down into the adorably flushed fa

ready to go home; I'll go. Only my head is whirling so-Tell me-are you glad to see me again?... Real

at," he said, f

hful to-night. In vino veritas! ... Tell me-did I, al

ing it now

of men think hard to-night.... I didn't know I could; I never before th

eraldine, I'm about as mu

lo

es

N

, I

not have it

No, I don't mind your kissing my hand-I'm dreadfully tired, anyw

rcling her waist, "you are only the sam

e gasped-'wh

I'm af

old enough to really ca

ar

ov

n't talk to me t

r on the cheek twice, and again on the mouth, as

er furious. "Why did you do that?" she cried fiercely-but her voice ended in a dry sob; s

me to you-feeling-afraid of myself! I kno

y say I am?"

ecause I thought you generous and nice to me-and I was so confident of you that I came with you and to

lip, but sa

her arms from her face and staring at him.

I'm in love wit

t have done such a thing to me. I-I loathe myself for being silly and weak enough to have touche

r eyes, bluish underneath the lower lids, tur

she said, half to herself. "What

e," he broke out, "don't tak

thleen. Do

whatever you say or think, I am i

oom and darkness. Lights, music, the scent of dying flowers, laughter, men, all had become abhorrent. Something within her lay

en came and