Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-01

OF their return home that night how
she went round looking at each object
and touching it that she might realize
II was hers again, and how father sat
up till past midnight talking incessant-
ly about T. and all the droll things I'm
cle Abnervsad I cried and laughed by
turns. | longed TO see you. to tell you
how felt about what you did, and yet,
now that I'm with you. all | say seems
utterly weak and inadequate"
ut seems wonderfully nice to me-"
Miller declared. II don't deserve any
thing, and yct-wcll, I like to hear you
talk" He laughed. "Whether I de-
serve it or not, | could listen TO you
for week on a stretch"
In truth Rayburn Miller had never
in all his varied social career become
so suddenly and startlingly Interested
in any woman. II all seemed like a
dream, and a most delicious one the
gay assemblage, the intermittent
strains of the music, the touch Of the
stately creature on his arm, the per-
fume Of her flowers. her hair. her eyes.
He suddenly felt fearful Of the passage
Of time. the leaving of his train. the
approach of some one to claim her at
tention. lie could not explain the spell
she had thrown on him. Was it be-
cause she was his friends sister and so
astoundngiy pretty. frank and sensi-
BILE. or could 1t he that
His train Of thought was broken by
the approach of Miss Ida Bishop.
Adele's cousin, a rather plain girl, who
with her scrawny neck and scant hair,
which rebelled against being made
much of, would have appeared to bet
ter advantage in street costume.
"Oh Adele" she cried reproa chfully,
what do you mean? Do you know
you have MORALLY offended Mr.. Ted
castle? He had the march with you"
And asked him as a favor to ex-
cuse me from it," said Adele simply.
a had just met Mr.. Miller, who is to
leave on an early train. and | wanted
to talk to him about home. Have you
been introduced? My cousin, Miss
Bishop. Mr.. Rayburn Miller"
Miss Bishop bowed indifferently and
]
ton in the slight under question.
I'm awfully sorry" she said reprov-
ingly. 'Mr. Tedcastle has been as
nice to you as he could be, and this Is
the way you show appreciation for it.
l don't blame him for being mad, do
you. Mr.. Miller"
I'm afraid I'd be a prejudiced wit
Id 7 I
the gentleman's discontinue; but real
~ | can't think that any circumstances
could Justify man IN pressing a lady
TO fill an engagement when she chooses
not to DO so for any reason of hers"
Il knew you'd say that" said Adele
IF anybody has a right to be offended
it is |. the way he has acted
without waiting for my full explana-
ton"
"Oh. that is a high and mighty course
that will do better for novels than real
life" disa greed Miss Ida Bishop. THE
young men are badly spoiled here. and
If we want attention we've got to hu-
NOR them"
They shall not be spoiled by me-"
declared Adele. why" Struggling her
shoulders contemptuously, IF l had to
run after them and bind up their
bruises every time they fell down Id
not appreciate their attentions. Be-
sides, Mr.. Tedcastle and his whole ilk
actually put me to sleep. What do
they talk about? Driving, pet dogs,
flowers, candies, theater parties and
silly bosh generally. Last Sunday
Senator Hare dined at uncle's, and aft
or dinner he and | Were having really
wholesome sort of talk, and l was
respecting myself well, little like
am now when in TRAPPED Teddy, with
his hangers on. OF course | had to in
troduce them to the senator, and | felt
like fool, for he knew they were my
company and 1t was impossible to
keep them quiet. They went on with
their baby talk just as il Senator Hare
We're being given an intellectual treat.
OF course there are some grown up
men in Atlanta but they are driven to
the clubs 10y the swarms of little fell
lows There comes Major Middleton,
one of the old regime. He may ask
ME to dance with him. Now watch.
l he does, III answer him just as l
did Mr.. Tedcastle, and YOU. shall see
how differently he will treat It."
The ma iOr, a handsome man of pow
erful physique and great shock Of
curly iron gray hair, approached Adele
and with low bow held out his hand.
I'm after the next dance. my dear"
he said. You are one of the very few
who ever dance with me, and don't
want to go home without it,
Adele smiled. I'm very sorry. ma
jor," she said, but | hope you'll ex-
cuse me this evening"
"Oh. that's all right, my dear child"
he said. NO don't explain. | know
your reasons are all right. Go ahead
and enjoy yourself in your own way"
II won my bet, Adele laughed. Ma
jor, / knew so well what YOU would
say that | bet on it," And then she
explained the situation.
"Tedcastle ought 10 be spanked
said the major in his high keyed voice
"A girl who had not rather hear from
home than spin around with him ought
not to have home. I'm going to mine
rather early tonight l came only &c
show the boys how to make my famous
Kentucky punch"
When the major and Miss Ida Rish
op had gone and left them together
Adele looked over the railing at the
4 l.