Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-08

SCrlDP0 niue circle WIFI IL tndt IN
cluded the rooms and their brilliant
contents. at seems very real to me-"
she added with light laugh.
John Gordon let his look go over the
interior of that prlncely residence. All
the soft, easy, luxurious appliances of
modern civilization within the reach of
lavish wealth were evident on every
side. Velvet carpets, golden decora-
tons, the most costly pieces of art,
wood carving from Bavaria, exquisite
medallions, portraits by Sandalio, and
paintings the price of any one of
which would have been more than the
life earnings of n hundred families in
the tencmcnts-bcforc he was aware he
was putting flesh and blood values up
against all that physical luxury. Then
he suddenly looked into Mary's fuce
and said. with smile:
"Thc things are real enough; II is the
life that is unreal"
Don't be tragic John" she pouted.
"Havc some fun tonight. You don't
look as If you had been having much
lately. Tell me, is it true that you and
Luela have Quarrelcd? Tell me all
about it. She is coming tonight. Will
it be embarrassing to you:" And then
before he could answer she ratified on
carelessly:
"And Miss Andrews-thc papers say
she is a remarkable person. Tell me,
is she handsome, like lucia? Are you
impressed? But how do you live in
those horrors? should think the sights
and smells would be simply Oh. Miss
Cranston, you have met my brother
John?'
Miss Cranston had met Mr.. Gordon
while he was Il student in the uuiver-
sity. John stood chatting with her
awhile. and was still talking with her
when dinner was announced. He took
her out, in obedience to a nod from
Mrs Penrose. and when once at table
he looked. quietly enough outwardly.
but with inward tumult at the guests,
and noted Lucia seated by young Pen
rose at the farther end, but facing Cor
don, while Fenrose was almost wholly
obscured by Gordons right hand neigh
| Dor.
The dinner proceeded as usual with
! such dinners, only the gifted art of
| being all things to all guests that Mrs
| PcurOSc possessed in such a large de-
gree saving the occasion from the in
sutferablc Gullness Of many similar
/ gatherings. A seven course dinner in
Il rich womans house may and often
docs afford as much real misery to the
assembled company as can well be
| packed into a bad hour and a half.
With Mrs. Penrosc as hostess affairs
went on with more brilliancy. 1t is one
thing to talk yourself and another to
get other people to talk. The latter
gift, allied to species of social genius
Mrs. Penrose possessed and the din
ncr was progressing finely. seasoned
with just that right degree of converse
tiOnal interest which ut times included
every one at the table and then broke
up into little groups of talk between
two or four
John Gordon talked with Miss Grams.
ton on variety of topics, but did not
Introduce any mention of his own
work. Mrs. Penrose, who sat at his
right, once or twice alluded to Cor
don's residence at Hope House, but he
answered briefly and at once reverted
to something else. Evidently he did
not intend to be drawn into any dis
cussion or description Of his work.
Mrs. Penrose was too shreWd as well
as too courteous 10 insist in asking
questions she plainly saw were not
agreeable.
Very well. she said good naturally
CAS- the lion of the OCCASION if you will
not roar IN the presence of this au-
dicnce will you favor me some time
with what l am dying to know? 1t is
not IDLE curiosity" she added in a
lower tone. Il really am interested in
your plans. | want to help
Gordon looked up at her quickly
The thought of what this woman, with
her wealth and social influence, might
do if she would TO bring life and light
into the dead, dark places of the city
kindled his Imagination. 1t was an
other ray Of hope 10 place alongside
Mrs. EfHngham's letters.
"Thank you,' he said gratefully. 81
will come and talk it over with you"
!
again toward Miss Cranston he en-
cOuntered Luella's glance She in
stantly looked down. Once again, to
ward the close of the dinner. Gordon
intercepted her look as it swept past
all the guests and stayed just a mo
ment with him.
Just how it all happened John Cor
don never knew. The last course hat
been served. There was the inevitabl,
settling back of people who had sue
ccssfully observed one of the rites Of
polite society and were ready to enjoy
the programme of the evening in an
, other stereotyped direction.
; The voice of Archie Penrosc ros
over the well modulated CONVEX N
. Its Il dangerous move for any on
| to make, | think. professor. Tn
classes are too much at war now. Al
, these anarchists ought to be hunteC
out of society like wild beasts. Sh'
is encouraging anarchy when she en-
courages those people to discuss thei
views"
, Miss Andrews''--the bland voice o
} Professor Emory smote John Gordon
like n blow-''is not encouraging an
t archy, Mr.. Penrose. You do not I'm
| derstand the exact situation. The mel
she invites into Hope House to discus
! government NAV he mistaken as Il