The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1905-10-12

other watchers. bat swiftly for this one.
The aixhi was almost spent, and atm she
was wandering in the hsids ~ dream. And
II was time to 60 home. They drove back
gaily.
Thea while they rested, the girn occupy
Ing the seats, the boys sitting Turk.wise
on the door, lihey sang their gccd-nirh,
songs, Into their voices the lsnguor and
hslf-ssdness that come with the closing of
q long planned tor iey creps unccnsclonsly.
The girls blended their voicss softly, and
the mandolIns made = sweet accompani-
ment, Heicn Wal ZEN SAT among them con.
scious Of = growing sense Of fellowship
ihe dreams we're coming nearer, changing,
ard taking to themselves more substantial
character,
Edith Hawtrv. more lovely now than At
lbe beginning Of the evening, sat close be.
side her. Alice Castleberrv regarded her
With friendly curiosity. Florence Evelyn
openly sought her. The young men turn
I'd their glsnces toward her. too, AZ she sat
there 10 the fireiight, radiant with an al
most mysticsl look Of youth, her soft con-
tfalto mineling with the other voices.
Well, said Dick Sunderland, AZ last, it's
time TO 70 home, boys. Breakfast NJ
eleven, mind, and no one to bc latef And
wopder, he paused and looked round him
st the firelit faces, wonder who Of all OF
US has enjoyed the Junior hop the moslf
There might have been noisy response,
but for some reason there WAS not. There
came instead an instant's pause, and then
the vibrating tones Of the little fourth
chaperon.
Ihsve she declared, with the impulsive
tones OF one making confidence. have
enjoyed 1t the most Of all For you see, In
a way, II was my first party.
The fire cracked, but no one spoke. They
were looking At her ~ she smiled at them,
1t seemed, young as themselves, with a
sudden youth Of the spirit.
/ Idreamed Of 1t all my girlhood--dream.
ed Of such a time as this. Dreamed Of be.
Ing the very core Of 1t, because WAS stu
dent, you know, and was entitled to It, But
Il never came. Hardly any Of the particu.
lar things Of which dreamed came, though
other things. did that brought happiness.
And sometimes there was happiness even
In the things that others thought were only
sorrows. But still, no matter how old
grew, the dream Of the beautiful party kept
haunting me- 1t seemed az II 1t would have
to be mine, after all. And that is why,
though knew WAS untitled for 1t In a
way, that accepted your invitation and
came here to act as chaperon--I who was
never cbaperoned, and who, in my old-fash.
ioned, country way can hardly be said to
believe in anything Of the kind,
The freight, or the hour, or the long
hours Of dreams, or the atmosphere OF re.
luctantly relinquished delight, had moved
her out OF her babituAl timldity. Now,
with that directness and utter confidence
and friendliness (which distinguished her
writing and made 1t as a cordial human
voice speaking to each reader, she express
ed her thoughts.
Royal might have been offended, lit Ia
easy for boys to take offense at what their
mothers do, but for the frat time, per.
haps, be really understood her. He had q
perception Of her long service for others,
Of her hidden dreams and little, dear per.
sonal selfishnesses never indulged In. He
saw, ~ the others saw, lovely woman,
simple as girl, rich with sacrifice, speak.
ing out Of friendly heart the absolute
truth.
It was Edith Hawtry who rose and ran
to the table where an armful Of American
Beauty roses lay fresh from their wrap.
pings--roses which had come too late to be
carried to the bali. She brought them and
laid them In Helen Walden's arms.
"Debutantes carry flowers" she said, her
voice thrilling. So, laughing, the Others
brought flowers, too, and heaped the slim
arms full, and stood round her while they
sang, "Good Night, Lady," with slow
csdances.
Then the boys made their way reluctant.
ly into the sharp frost Of the night, and
tie girls went up the stairs together, Flor.
ence Evelyn with her arm about Mrs. Wal.
dpn's waist. AT the bedroom door she kiss.
ed her.
mo party is 90 beautiful ~ the first par.
ty," she whispered.
The other girls all came to make theil
good nights, and they bent on Helen Wal
den al intimate and stfectionste regard
She felt streams Of love pouring towsrt
her. The goodnight words Of the boyl
| rang In her cart words Of quickly won ant
honest friendship. Royals kiss was still OF
her cheek. Her heart beat happily, and Al
she laid her burden Of flowers In the jar o
water that had been brought her, she look
ed up to see Cecily Beach watching hf
with her langu'd gsz7.
Mrs. Beach Was woman who could q
times be cruel. She had . swift satire tina
pierced like a rapier. But she had noble
side, too. And now che put out her hsn'
with swift gesture. Helen Walden place
her own slender hand within II, and the tw
stood 30 for moment in silent pledge 0
goodwill.
II envy you" Cecily Beach said, Wit
fee ling. ~ envy you for hundred rea
SOUS that you would not u ierstard even
cared TO explair. You az happy w6
msn. And you have something In you ths
will keep you from ever being anything else
Now let me confess that was very weary
and would not have come here to pleas
these young people only ! wanted to mes
you. And yet ] was afraid to meet you
I'M, ?" cried Ms. Walden, increduiouslJ
ssAfrsid TO meet mfn
~ needed yop-~and ! wanted to let 20
see Il, but could not think how ! should
In Now--now 1 am no longer afraid. WI