The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-10

'xx "'Will you be so kind as
ExX&XX8 to run up to Ted's den and
the book" she asked. "Then we
settle the question" billiard &C,
kted the commission, as beftted
6's friend and a fellow who was
len at the house. He went up stairs
knocked at the door of the den.
pecting no response, he Immediately
shed it open. At the same moment
head with a mop Of brown curls
1 into a bunch at the back lifted
eif from above q big book, a pair
brilliant brown eyes looked up into
Fiiard's, and Virginia's face broke
10 a smile as he stood smiling back,
3Oh, come in" she cried. "Why are
up here? Aren't you having a
BID timer
la charming time" he answered
bout hesitation, for Virginia was
younger daughter Of the house,
fhy Ire you not down stairs? When
you going to be old enough to come
Miss Lydia's parties?"
Never, I hope" declared the girlish
! lips scornfully. do you really
E them? They sound so stupid to
Think of staying in the house to
bee when you might be out coaSting
klst come in. Such fun!"
billiard sat down upon the arm of
d's big chair. "Tell me about it," he
&uested. I'm the first place-who
II you?"
firginia closed her book and came
Rund to drop among Ted's sofa pill,
rs. six feet away. She wore her
ting dress yet, he saw-an ankle,
18th Embroidered. gray affair, with
ouch Of scarlet, which set off her
RI young beauty effectively.
3Oh, I went with our set" she ex.
lined. 1T was magnificent. /
Puldn't have made Kent bring me
so early if 1 hadn't forgotten all
put Lydia's party"
But, really" he insisted, when are
coming out'?"
why, that is q thing that's depend
on several Others" declared the
4. I'm the first place, I'm in no
Fry. In the second place, Lydia's in
~ She stopped abruptly. looking
at him with a shake Of the head.
don't mean that she added
ckiy.
filliard nodded. 81 understand. 7
IS sure you must be-well, nearly
lteen, at least"
I am-nineteen-at most" she adj
tied. "If I should put my hair up,
bid see."
And they're keeping you back on
E' sisters account?"
That's all right" she said defiantly.
does make a girl seem older to
Re a big younger sister around.
ID, besides, I really want to stay a
= as long as J. car. I hate to put
hair up and my skirts quite down.
ont care a straw for dressing up
>going to receptions and teas and
ties. Lydia loves it. I love coast
and skating and riding. and swim
hg, and all the rest of it,"
So do l." he said heartily, land it's
bng while since I was nineteen"
be looked at him critically. Eyes, I
8uld think you must be about thirty
!. No, you can't be, because you
re at college with Ted"
e laughed. Not quite that" he
4. at won't be long before I am,
ugh. But I should like coasting as
as ever. I wish I had been out
h-your party-to-night. It's years
be I've coaSted.'
irginia's eyes turned longingly to-
cd the windows. 'It's 4 heavenly
ht," she said. Lets go" She
ked at him, smiling daringly.
e stared at her for a minute, then
leaped to his feet with q laugh.
Pme on" he cried. under his breath.
here's nothing I'd like to do better.
how shah we manage it,"
didn't really mean it." said Vir.
La, 'but if you do we might have
one coast, and nobody would miss
i. Well slip down the side stair
e,. and Lucian's hobs are where we
get them"
Hi tell you," said billiard rapidly,
eyes dancing. 'Tll just take this
ak down to your sister, mix in the
wd, slip away in ten minutes. and
We'll be free-See?"
bis plan was carried out. The two
!. Mently away from the house, and
en- minutes more were at the subur,
hill, where 4 few jovial coasters
fingered.
Can you steer?' demanded Vir-
ia.
Unless I've grown old faster than
eel as if I had, I can-sure."
fe took his place, she started the
s. and flung herself on behind them
Tas a long, swift, breathless flight
then they stood at the bottom and
Hed at each other, laughing.
hey sailed down the hill again AND
in, until Virginia realized the dar
of this unauthorized, unchaperone6
formance. Hilliard never hated to
anything in his life so much as he
ed to put up those bobs and go in
fingered in the shadow of the side
rance. He pulled off his glove and
j out his hand.
It's the best fun I've had in a dozer
p MOONS" he said, enthusiastically
he nodded, smiling. He retained
hand for a moment, then he gently
" off the scarlet silk mitten.
don't like to shake hands with
d comrade with gloves on" he ex
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