Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-08
Author of "rhat Lass o. Lowric's." "Louis
ANA" Through One Administra-
ton e e., etc.
y I{T' |


In one of the prettest rooms in one of
the prettiest cottages in that very pref
test of summer resorts, North Brabant,
two very charming women were spending
the morning together rs they had spent
their summer mornings, indeed, for
number Of years Among the brightest
recollections of Nell Huntingdon's life
were the su MINER mornings she had spent
in this room with her mother She had
spent them as Il child playing with her
TOYS, as IL school girl with her lessons, and
now, having left dolls and lessons behind,
she spent them with score or so OF pleas
ant trifles, but never without the old
sense of summer holiday enjoyment. In
the first place her mother was her delight
and pride, and at North Brabant life at
the gayest left them so much leisure
wherein to make much of each other. In
the second the whole world looked beau
tiful from the windows, though there
seemed less green earth than blue, far
reaching sea, since the water almost
Tapped the slOping velvet sward of the
lawn when the tide came in. Thirdly.
the room was so harmonious; and fourth
ly, she was SO harmonious herself, though
this last fact chad never presented it
self to her as it frequently did to other
people On this particular morning she
was standing before an easel putting the
finishing touches to Il little picture and
making the most attractive of pictures
herselt-a trim and lovely figure i'll Il
close white gown, and with the freshest
of sea breeze blown color on her fresh
cheeks and lips, and the clearest, limpid
light to be imagined in her large, candid
eyes. They were very sweet and happy
eyes, and the face was sweet and happy
one, of delicate high-bred cast, dainti
ly and rather proudly cut, the small head
set on long throat and given to pretty
airy movements, wonderfully expressive.
LAS If, said one of her cousins when she
first appeared in society, las if she hadn't
enough without having that added. Why,
just one or two of those little turns of her
chin would be Il fortune for any girl.
There is no use in trying to initiate her.
| have done it by the hour before the glass
and at the end could only toss my head,
which you never see her do"
She made one of these charming, indie
scribable movements when her mother
who had been talking to her. ended with
the words:
would, Nell"
81 should certainly never think Of it,
mamma" she said, and in the turn of
her pretty throat there was a touch of
hauteur.
"What crime" her mother went on.
has not that young man committed 1t
is unfortunately too true that there can
be no donbt that all that is said is said on
good authority, and yet there are girls
who are as familiar with him as they are
with Donald, who is the best and manli-
est fellow in the world"
Nell lifted her head again most charm
ingly.
''IIe will not know me familiarity" she
said. Il may not be able to avoid meet
ing him, but think | can avoid knowing
him very we'll"
Mrs. Huntington glanced out of the
window, held her embroidery poised Il
moment and then uttered II faint eXcla-
nation
There he is !" she said, "at this very
moment. And must say | think his face
bears the imprint of his character"
Whether or not it Is to he regretted that
Miss Huntingdon moved with IA hurried,
gliding step towards the window is Il mat
ter to be settled only by debate among
those who differ. Let those who regret 1t,
palette on her pretty thumb, gazing out
at the two young men, who were passing
the hedge dividing the side of the grounds
from the street.
"He has a bad face" said Mrs Hunting
don; "a cruel, ruthless face. 1t might be
handsome but for that"
''He looks like an athlete" said Nell
with cold little impartial air. "He Is a
great contrast to the other They are
going to play tennis at the Beverly's."
He was Il great contrast to the other.
The other was Il small young man with
blonde hair and Il good but rather unin-
teresting little blonde face, and with thin
little legs which We're not snowy when
displayed by the unsparing rigors of il
tennis suit; he had an innocently pure
complexion and contiding blue eyes, and
he carried his racquet peacefully and with
lInmOnpSt
paniOn lowered above almost head and
shoulders his dark blue tennis suit of
tered Il premium to the punishment of
more prOsac and conventional garments
he was great, strong, swift, muscular
creature; he wore Il red belt and IA red
cap he had dark, strongly marked
aquiine face, big black eyes with Il boldly
rowing glance-rather fierce eyes with
heavy lashes, and he bore his racquet over
his shoulder with jaunty and daredevil
ease.
81 suppose it is the result of the life he
has led, said Mrs. Huntington with IL
Sigh. He would be handsome if it We're
not for that unmistakable stamp but as
it is it is the wicked beauty of some cruel
savage animal. He reminds me of pan
Their"
1t was just at this moment that the two
men passed the part of the hedge directly
opposite the window, and as they did 50
the boldly rowing black eyes, led by some
subtle magnetism, were raised suddenly
and swept with Il broad glance the green
barrier, the bit of side lawn and the faces
in the window themselves and having
noted the girl in the background showed
IL great flash of pleasure before they turn
ed away.
\ light cloud of color swept Nell's face,
but she did not stir.
"They are going to practice for the ten
mis- match" | remember that Marion
Beverly spoke of it yesterday. She said
that both the IIamiltons played perfectly.
You said Hamilton, didn't you,
mammal
Eyes my dear"
"Then," said Nell Il suppose the tall
one is the one they call Jack Hamilton.
He could not possibly be the one they
called Willie | think Willie must be
the little, fair one.
con, | should certainly be inclined to
fancy So" answered Mrs, Huntington,
Though was not told their first names.
They were pointed out TO me when ! was
calling at the Daltons and was told one
or two unpleasant stories ! have heard
others since"
81 feel sure the blonde one is Willie d"