Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-12-22

ficult little note of apology, but he
maintained heroically the air Of dis
dain that had succeeded the first
sharp pangs of disappointment. Colo
mel Drew, in whose good graces Monty
had firmly established himself, was
not quite guiltless of usurping the role
of dictator in the effort to patch up
truce. A few nights before the CO.
tillon, when Barbara told him that
Herbert Alling was TO lead, he ex-
plosively expressed surprise. why
not Monty Brewster, Babs?" he de-
manded.
"NIr. Brewster is not coming" she
responded calmly.
"Going to be out of town"
"I'm sure do not know" stifly.
"What's this?"
"He has not been asked, father" Miss
Drew was not in good humor.
Not asked?" said the colonel in
amazement ITS ridiculous Babs.
Send him an invitation at once"
"This is my dance, father and
don't want to ask Mr.. Brewster"
The colonel sank back in his chair
and struggled to overcome his anger.
He knew that Barbara had inherited
his willfulness and had long since dis
covered that it was best to treat her
with tact.
81 thought you and he were'- But
the colonel's supply Of tact was ex-
hausted.
1--WE WERE" in a moment of absent
mindedness, but it's all over" said
Barbara.
"Why. child. there wouldn't have
been a cotillon il it hadn't been for
But the colonel remembered his prom
Use to Monty and checked himself Just
in time. IL mean there will not be
any party IL Montgomery Brewster is
not asked. That is all l care to say on
the subject" And he stamped out of
the room.
Barbara wept copiously after her ia
Their had gone, but she realized that his
will was law and that Monty must be
invited Il will send an invitation"
she said to herself, but if Mr.. Brew
ster comes after he has read ii | shall
be surprised"
Montgomery, however. did not re-
ceive the note in the spirit in which it
had been sent. He only saw in it a ray
of hope that Barbara was relenting
and was jubilant at the prospect of a
reconciliation. The next Sunday he
sought an interview with Miss Drew,
but she received him with icy reserve.
If he had thought to punish her by
staying away it was evident that she
felt equally responsible for a great
deal of misery on his part Both had
been more or less unhappy, and both
were resentfully obstinate. Brewster
felt hurt and insulted, while she felt
that he had imposed upon her disgrace
fully. He was now ready to cry quits,
and it surprised him to find her obdu-
rate. If he had expected to dictate the
terms of peace he was woefully disap-
pointed when she treated his advances
with cool contempt.
Barbara. you know | care very
much for you" he was pleading. fairly
on the road to submission. II am sure
you are not quite Indifferent to me
This foolish misunderstanding must
really be as disagreeable to you as II
is to me-"
Indeed" she replied. lifting hel
brows disdainfully. You are assum
ing a good deal, Mr.. Brewster"
Il am merely recalling the fact that
you once told me you cared. YOU
would not promise anything. | know
but it meant much that you cared.
little difference could not have changed
your feeling completely"
when you are ready to treat me
with respect may listen to your peti
tion," she said, rising haughtily.
MY petltioni' He did not like thu
word, and his tact quite deserted him
IT'S as much yours as mine. Dom
throw the burden of responsibility OIL
me, Miss Drew"
"IIave | suggested going back to the
old relations? You will pardon me Il
l remind you of the fact that you came
today on your own initiative and Ger
tainly without my solicitation
Nov, look here, Barbara he be
gan, dimly realizing that it was goinl
to be hard, very hard, to bring her tC
reason
Il am very sorry, Mr.. Brewster, bu
you Will have TO excuse me. l am go
, ing out"
II regret exceedingly that l SHOULD
, have disturbed you today, Miss Drew,
. he said, swallowing his pride. Per
haps | may have the pleasure of see
!. ing you again"
As he was leaving the house, deel
anger in his soul, he encountered tn,
, colonel There was something abou
Montys greeting, cordial as it was
that gave the older man hint as t
r the situation.
? won't you stop for dinner, MontyT
, he asked in the hope that his sus
picion was groundless
THANK you, colonel, not tonight
, and he was off before the colonel coul'
hold him.
vl,a,