Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-09-19

i
the mass she has on her head this after
noon cost eco"
Nora was about to cry "For shame"
when vision of Berry in the doorway
checked her. She had returned upper
ceived and stood half hesitating mo-
ment. Then she advanced slowly, the
soft white train of her dress rustling in
her wake, her face crimson, her eyes
flashing, and in spite of her anger a sus-
picion of tears.
81 wouldn't take a thousand pounds
for the hair I'm wearing today, Mr..
Lewis" she answered.
And she was scarcely coquette enough
to hide the pain in her voice.
Fred flushed holly, and he would have
given almost anything to be able to re-
call his words.
He rose to his feet and bowling said:
"Miss Berenice, humbly beg your par
don for my i'll natured remark. l only
made it to tease Nora, for of course l
had no idea"-
apologize to Nora, then, not me, ="
she answered quickly. and turning left
the room.
She crept away by herself and sat
down, feeling, in spite of her efforts to
conquer the sensation, hurt and sore at
heart. 1t was nothing, she told herself;
she surely didn't care what Mr.. Lewis
thought about her, or said, either. And
then came sigh as she thought he did
not care for her, or he could never have
ridiculed her in any way, even to his
sister.
And then, though she was not vain,
she had always looked upon her hair as
sacred birthright bestowed by her
dead mother, and had ever associated
the beautiful constellation "Berenice"
with thoughts of her mother in heaven;
childish fancy, but it had chung to her
as childish fancies will cling to us all.
That night, before retiring, she braided
her hair in two long braids, and in the
morning she combed it out and left it
flowing, only drawn away from her
forehead, and banded by a blue ribbon.
The braiding had made it wavy, and
it fell in bright, heavy, golden ripples,
like mantel of "cloth of gold" far be-
low her waist. Fred smiled, half tri'
umphantly, when he saw it.
Il didn't dream she cared so much fol
me" he thought
Berry observed his peculiar smile, and
the wrath appeared on her cheeks.
Il wonder if I'm wearing my heart
upon my sleeve?" she asked herself. And
then she told herself, in little comfort
ing whisper-"Wait."
Not long afterward Fred sat down t.
the table and began writing letters
Presently Berry came flying into thu
room.
Nora" she called in the softest little
voice in the world, whirling around OF
one foot, and carelessly tossing aside hel
long hair with her hand. Out flew thu
bright golden ripples, and Fred's pei
went spinning along the carpet.
ooh, pardon me!' she cried. "M.
new wig is little troublesome to man
age, vet I've no doubt but that | shall
become accustomed to it in time" anC
away she sped, leaving Fred to pick VI
his pen and resume his writing as bes
he might
This was more easily said than done
for there was a zigzag mark over his let
ter, and as the pen had fallen on it
point it was bent nearly double. NexeC
as he was, be leaned ba, . in his chat
and laughed heartily.
That was gracefully done, I'll &C
knowledge" he said.
The afternoon was fine, and Lad.
Eaton, Berry's aunt, called them all on
upon the terrace to view distant noun
tain, which showed very clearly, the al
being so pure. Fred brought out hi
telescope and CALAMITY held it Will
Berry peered through with such lool
of interested curiosity one would SUP
pose she had no thought for anything
this side of the mountain.
How pretty she exclaimed, givin
her head sudden toss.
Away flew lock of hair, straight a
an archer's arrow, into Fred's eyes. II
nearly dropped the glass, and uttere
an angry exclamation in sudden pain.
Excuse my carelessness," she sal
quietly Il had forgotten for the INC
ment you We're so near"
Fred went into the house and battle
his ewes in rather reflective mood; bu
when he again appeared Berry seemed S
= unconscious of having done anythin
wrong and she was so pretty and engae
ing in manner throughout the evenin
he forgot his veXation and was as agree
able as possible
The next day she appeared with he
hair in the same style, and Fred all tn
morning was on the lookout for anothe
hostile attack. None came, howevel
In the afternoon they went out to hay
a row upon the lake. After rowin
: while Fred rested his arms and his oal
! at the same time, under the pretense thu
2 it was nicer to float slowly along. h
took out a cigar and lighted it, saying
must make the most of it, for it was h
last. He asked for some music while /
t pulled away, and the girls began voci
I duet.
In the midst of the song Berry took o
I her hat, making an excuse to fan herse
with it. AS she drew the elastic cor
: suddenly from beneath it out flew h,
: shining hair like glittering flag at IL