Middletown transcript., 1903-06-06
fully, what do I want of such tog-

you come!
She still shook her head. I d,
not dare, she said. Here in th,
shadow it is well enough for 20,
to do sums in subtraction; but ou
there it would be different. Ian
not twenty now, and this isn't my
first Glass Day.
He bent nearer, scanning hel
face in the dim light.
I don't believe it, he said.
knew you the minute | saw you
and you are wearing the same
drab muslin
Drab! It was a lovely pear
color; and this isn't muslin; its
dimity. But it is gray, she con.
cluded, pleased, no doubt, at his
tangled memory.
Prescottlaughed. A mancan I
be expected to match colors; but
I still swear you are twenty.
Come!
She arose reluctantly and went
out with him into the hall rs the
orchestra began to play again.
Our waltz! Prescott exclaimed,
and the next moment they were
a part Of the dreamily moving
mass. Her eyes were downcast,
but his rested with open salts
faction upon her face.
1t certainly showed no signs
Of age. She was little paler,
perhaps; the corners Of the mouth
had a slight downward droop; the
thoughtful lines had deepened
here and there; the grace of ma
turity had replaced the promise
of girlhood. But Prescott did
not notice details. He was chiefly
conscious of the fact that she was
waltzing with him and that he
was ecstatically happy. A sud-
den mad determination had seized
him. He would live his Glass
Day evening over again-liye it
as he pleased.
AS the music ceased they paus-
ed at last, and the young woman
ventured to glance up at her
partner. Her face was flushed
with the exercise and her eyes
we're merry.
I thought | had forgotten how,
she said, somewhat breathlessly.
Forgotten at twenty! he re-
piled, glad Of the chance to look
in her eyes, but they fell suddenly
before his glance.
Let US go out in the yard, he
said; where is your wrap?
Oh, I mustn't, said his com
panion, quickly. Nell will be
looking for me. I told her would
stay there in the corridor. Let
Us 60 back.
Prescott frowned. Isn't there
some kindly chaperon to whom
you can turn over your duties:
he asked. There must be.
His manner was compelling,
and the girl who had spoiled his
Glass Day ten years before seem
ed unable to resist the appeal.
She at last bethought herself Of a
comfortable matron who with a
cheerful resignation was sitting
at the end of the hall awaiting
the pleasure of three fair daugh-
ters, and to her she gave over
the charge Of the popular Nell.
One girl more or less to wait for
made little difference. and the
lady nodded cordially with a side
long glance at Miss Richards S
commanding partner.
Not that it matters much, Mil
dred said, as they moved away,
| haven't seen Nell for an hour,
and perhaps | shall not until it is
time to 60.
Outside the building, Prescott
drew her arm through his. lob
serve that the girl Of to- day pre-
fers to walk alone, he remarked,
but this isn't today, and | don t
want to lose you in the crowd.
The moon had arisen to crown
the festival, and its soft light
beamed gently through the tall
elms.
For the first time the young
woman turned her gaze to her
companions face and studied it
gravely. He knew that she was
looking at him and was happy in
the thought, and he did not shrink
from the quiet scrutiny. It was
certainly her right. He won
dered if she found him greatly
changed. He believed that he
was getting little gray about
the temples, and, doubtless, his
face had lostits boyish good looks
but he breathed a quick prayer
of gratitude that at least she
need read nothing base there.