El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-28
THE PURITANS.

| L ne long puritan service ended, forl
girls somewhat in advance of the con
gregation strolled homeward through the
brilliant May sunshine.
| What a beautiful day cried Ruth
| Benning.
Perfect" added Saiome Endicott.
at used TO be like this in England
eaid little Peace Morley wistfully.
''Why so silent, Dorothy" asked Sa-
lone addressing the fourth girl. who had
not yet spoken
Dorothy Penrhyn 'ooked up quickly.
| She charminGiy pretty. with black.
| glossy hair and large. dark. miscellaneous
eyes.
LET us keep May day. she exclaimed.
with sudden energy.
How can we?" 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 a may
pole! Why is every one so afraid of n
little enjOyment?''
The dawning Of the following day
found the girls and their friends assem-
bled upon the training field just outside
the primitive Boston settlement They
brought long linen strips for ribbons, and
tne slender trunk OF dead Sapllng
served as maypole.
1t was so early that no one was stir
ring. The newly risen sun smiled IN
needed upon this bit Of stolen revelry:
upon the dresses brushing dew from the
grass in the graceful dance: upon Doro-
thy Penrhyn. merriest Of the group. with
her laughter. her sparkling eyes. her de-
lightful 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
under Captain Roger Winthrop.
The Jewellers fed precipitatcly. Doro-
thy fingered only to tear the linen strips
from the improvised maypole. then. trail
ing them after her. FASTENED down the
slopiug field in pursuit of her compan-
IONS She was not in pursuit of the young
captain. She had met him often, but
she had 10 wish to meet him under pres
ent circumstances.
Behind an alder group they paused for
breath and consultation.
do you think they saw us?" asked
Ruth Benning. Captain Winthrop is
very strict in his ideas, they say
Salomn Endicott 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 said in disgust. at was too
bad to spoil 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 ALI" Peace con-
fessed to Dorothy the next day. "If we
are found out. what do you think the
magistrates will do?"
Il neither know nor care" answered
Dorothy dcfantly. Send us hack to
England. ] hope am going anyway as
soon as can
why. Dorothy
81 am repeated Dorothy.
"A vessel leaves the day after tomor-
row." suggested Peace. you can go in
that"
I'll do it," said the girl.
Her plans for the journey were soon
made The captain of the vessel was
friend of her father. Under his care she
would sail directly for Southampton. She
went to her room and began resolutely
packing her box. While she was mental
~ composing a note to he left for her par
ents. who were away from home, she
heard 4 knock at the front door. Peer
ing out. with an ever present fear of In
dams. she saw Captain Winthrop below.
Perhaps he is coming to arrest me-"
she 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.
will you enter?'' said Dorothy, brac- |
ing herself for the interview.
Il called, Mistress Penrhyn," began |
Captain Winthrop, evidently in some con- !
fusion. "to see
Yes" interrupted Dorothy, 81 know. |
was expecting you. What are you 60 |
Ing to do?'
81 cannot tell yet" he answered. 81
must first consult
what an idiotic proceeding" cried !
Dorothy, with spirit. Where was the /
harm in it, after all?"
Harm" repeated Captain Winthrop
in perplexity.
Yes. harmr' insisted Dorothy. 1--WE !
really must have some amusement. you
know"
81 don't think understand" said Win
-hrop. with puzzled look.
why, didn't you come to- She
crimson with sudden shame.
Then I should not have spoken" she |
added. trying to recover herself.
81 came to see your father in regard to
siren gthening our defenses." he said.
But you have reused my curiosity.
What is it. Dorothy? Tell me-
You won't betray me?' she asked.
litter little hesitation.
Certainly not"
''Well. then. we girls had a maypole
lance in the training field just before
You danced? oh. Dorothyr'
Yes; you needn't attempt to punish
ne, for | am going to England, where |