The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-14
LITTLE PURITAN.

girls somewhat in advance OF the congre-
CATION strolled homeward through the
brilliant May sunshine
''What 8 beautiful dayi" cried Ruth
Benning.
Perfect, +" added Salome Endicott.
SIT used to be like this In England"
said little Peace Morley wistfully.
'fWhy SO silent, DorothyP" asked Salome,
addressing the fourth girl, who had not
yet spoken.
Dorothy Penrhyn looked up quickly.
She was charmingly pretty, with black,
glossy hair and large. dark, misohievous
eyes.
"Let us keep May day." she exclaimed,
with sudden energy.
Chow can WEEP asked Salome. ''You
know we left all that behind when we
came here.''
"But we didn't come of our own free
will,' returned Dorothy. ''What harm
can there be in dance around naypoler
Why is every one SO afraid of a little en-
joyments'
The dnwning of the following day found
the girls and their friends assembled upon
the training field just outside the print
tive Boston settlement. They brought
long linen strips for ribbons, and the slen-
der trunk of dead sapling served as may
pole.
1t was SO early that no one was stirring.
The newly risen sun smiled unheeded up
on this bit of stolen revelry; upon the
dresses brushing dew from the grass in
the graceful dance; upon Dorothy PEN
rhyn, merriest of the group, with her
laughter, her sparkling eyes, her delight
full color and quick, airy movements the
grim Puritans forgotten as she joined in
the gay pastime.
Suddenly came the sound of voices and
of approaching footsteps. Peace was the
first to hear them. The girls ceased their
dance in CONSERVATION. Then Salome
Endicott remembered that this was the
day for the monthly muster of soldiers I'M
der Captain Roger Winthrop.
The jewellers fled precipitately. Dorothy
fingered only to tear the linen strips from
the improvised maypole, then, trailing
them after her, haStened down the sloping
field in pursuit of her companions. She
was not in pursuit of the young captain.
She had met him often, but she had no
wish to meet him under present circum-
stances.
Behind an alder group they paused for
breath and consultation.
''Do you think they saw usp" asked
Ruth Bonning. Captain Winthrop is
very strict in his ideas, they, say"
Salome Endioott was out of temper from
running. Most of the others were terrified
by Ruth's words. Dorothy alone showed
vexation at being interrupted.
"They might have waited till we fin
ished," she Eaid in disgust. cit was too
bad to spoil our sport in that fashion"
When the girls had reduced to order the
chaos of ribbons, they went home in some
anxiety.
81 am SO sorry for it all, Peace con-
fessed to Dorothy the next day. eff we
are found out, what do you think the
magistrates will doP''
81 neither know nor care," answered
Dorothy deflantIy. "Send US back to
England, hope. am going anyway as
soon as I can
'Why, Dorothyr'
81 am, " repeated Dorothy.
GA vessel leaves the day after tomor-
row. suggested Peace. "You can go in
that
I'm do it, said the girl.
Her plans for the journey were soon
made. The captain of the vessel was a
\ friend of her father. Under his care she
would sail directly for Southampton. She
went to her room and began resolueely
packing her box. While she was mentally
composing a note to be left for her parents,
who were away from home, she heard a
knock at the front door. Peering out,
with an ever present fear of Indians, she
saw Captain Winthrop below.
perhaps he IS coming to arrest me,''
he said to herself. "But am not afraid OF
him. Poor fellow! I suppose he must
obey orders.'' She went boldly down and
opened the door. Captain Winthrop, tall,
dignifed, with blue eyes and fair hair and
beard, bowed low on seeing her.
HWiu you enter?'' said Dorothy bracing
herself for the interview.
81 called, Mistress Penrhyn," began
Captain Winthrop, evidently in some con-
fusion, ito seq
"Yes," interrupted Dorothy, st know.
was expecting you. What are you going
to do2''
II cannot tell yet." he answered. 81
TCf 1rpcffN If
What an idiotio prooeedingP' cried
Dorothy, with spirit. where was the
harm in it, after all?''
''Harmf" repeated Captain Winthrop in
perplexity.
Eyes, harml'' insisted Dorothy. "We
really must have some amusement, you
know
81 don't think I understand, said
Winthrop, with puzzled look.
"Why, didn't you come to- She
paused, crimson with sudden shame.
"Then 1 should not have spoken,'' she
added, trying to recover herself.
81 came to see your father in regard
to strengthening our defenses, - he said.
but you have reused my curiosity.
What is it, Dorothy? Tell me.''
"You won't betray me2'' she asked,
after little hesitation.
Certainly not.''
"Well, then, we girls had a maypole
dance in the training field just before
muster
You dancedP Oh, Dorothyl''
Eyes; you needn't attempt to punish
me, for I am going to England, where
there are no Puritans to spoil my pleasure.
My box is packed. I shall leave at once"
and what is to become of me?' asked
Roger Winthrop, with glance that made
Dorothy look at him in startled way,
then cover her face with her hands.
Half an hour later, when everything had
been satisfactorily arranged, Dorothy said
regretfully: 81 suppose I must remain
Puritan after all, and never dance again,
since you disapprove of it SO. But" with
an arch glance tsI have had ono c1enuina