Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-17
Oh APTER VIII.

and largest in town. It was an old
style southern frame house. painted
white. ana snd white coumncd vcran-
das on two sides. 1t was in the edge
OF the town and had an extensive lawn
in front and almost a little farm be-
hind.
Dolly's mother had never forgotten
that she was once girl herself and
she took the most active interest in ev-
erythng pertaining TO Dolly's social
lie. On occasions like the one just
described she found it impossible to
sleep till her daughter returned, and
then she slipped upstairs and made
the girl tell all about it while she was
Gisrobng Tonight she was more alert
and wideawaI'e than usual. She opened
the front door for Dolly and almost
stepped on the girls heels as she fol-
lowed her upstairs
"Was it nicet" she asked.
Eyes: very" Dolly replied. Reach
Ing her room. she turned up the low
burning lamp and, standing before a
mirror. began to take some flowers out
Of her hair. Mrs. Barclay sat down on
the edge Of the high posted mahogany
bed and raised one of her bare feet
ard held it III her hand. She was n
Tin woman, with iron gray hair, and
about fifty years of age. She looked
as if she We're cold. but for reasons of
her own she was not willing for Dolly
TO remark it,
Who was there?" she asked.
oh. everybody"
rs that so? ! thought a good many
would stay away because it was a bad
night, but reckon they are as anxious
to go a S We used to be. Then you all
did have the haclls?'
Yes; they had the hacks" There !
was pause, during which one pair Of |
eyes was fN"d rather vacantly OH the
Image in the mirror. The other pair |
fuil OF impatient inquiry. rested alter
natcly on the image and its maker.
Il don't believe you had a good !
time" broke the silence in a rising.
tenta tive tone
yes; did. mother"
Then what's the matter with you?"
MIS-. Barclays voice rang with i'm
patience. Il never saw You act like
you do tonight-never in my life"
Il didn't know anything was wrong
with me, mother"
You act queer; l declare you do"
asserted Mrs. Barclay. "You general
Iy have lot to say. Have you and
Frank had falling out?"
Dolly gave her shoulders a sudden
shrug Of contempt.
VI a MI
did,
Il thought maybe he was a little
mad because you wouldn't dance to.
night, but surely he's got enough sense
to see that you oughtn't to insult
Brother Dillbeck that way when he's
visiting our house and everybody
knows what he thinks about dancing"
NO, he thought did right about it."
said Dolly.
Then what in the name of common
sense is the matter with you. Dolly?
You can't pull the wool over my eyes,
and you needn't try it."
Dolly faced about suddenly.
Il reckon you'll sit there all night IN
less I tell you all about it," she said
sharply. Mother, Alan Bishop was
there"
You don't say"
Yes, and asked me to let him take
me to church tomorrow evening"
"Oh, he did,"
insult him, r.
You told him what your pa said?'
NO; | Just told him father didn't
want me to receive him any more.
II eaven knows, that was enoughr'
We'll, that was the best thing for
you to do Mrs. Barclay took "A deep
breath as if she We're inhaling a de-
llclous perfume. It's much better than
to have him plunge in here some day
ana nave your father break out like
Ne uocs IN his rough way. What did
Alan say?"
lie said very little, but he looked IL.
GU ought to have seen him. Frank
ca me up just about that time and in
Vited me TO have some ice cream. and
hhd TO leave him. He was as white e
rs a sheet. He had made an engage
nent with me 10 sit ont a dance. and
ne didn't come in the room again till [
hat dance was called. and then he |
lldnt even mention il. He acted so q
peculiarly l could see It was nearly |
Ailllng him, but he wouldn't let me
oring up the subject again ] came s
near doing it, but lie always steered Il
'ound it,"
Hes a sensible young man" de.
,lared Mrs. Barclay amy one can 7
see mat by looking ar him. He's NOT Z,
'esponsible for his fathers foolhordv !
venture, but it certainly leaves him
n bad fix as marrying man. He's
lad bad luck, and he must put IN with =,
he consequences There are plenty Of +,
iris who have no money or nrosnects :,
Who would be glad to have him, but -
Mother" broke in Dolly as If she
lad been listening to her own iron. Z
led thoughts rather than her mothers /,
words, 'he didn't act as if he wanted ;,
o see me alone. The other couplcs l.
rho had engagements to talk during /,
hat dance We're sitting in windows /,
nd out of the way corners but he !,
ept me right whore ! was and was as n
arefully polite as If we had Just been r,
Introduced, | was sorry for him and y
lad at the same time. l could have h
ulled his ears"
Hes sensible, very sensible" said A
IFS Barclay in a tone of warm ad-
llration. "A man like that ought to
et along, and | reckon he will do VOL =