Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-01-04
'00 ILLIARD turned courteously at
I0I Lydia Denning's summons.

J0I Lydia Denning's summons.
~ "Will you be so kind as to
run up to Ted's den and get the
book? she asked. "Then we can set
tile the question:" billiard accepted
the commission, as beftted Ted's
friend and a fellow who was often at
the house. He went upstairs and
knocked at the door of the den. Elk
pecting no response, he Immediately
pushed it open. AT the same moment
a head with a mop of brown curls tied
into a bunch at the back lifted itself
from above big book, pair Of bril-
liant brown eyes looked up into Hill
liard's, and Virginia's face broke into
q smile as he stood smiling back.
ooh, come in" she cried. "Why
are you up here?" Aren't you having
a good time?"
"A charming time" he answered
without hesitation, for Virginia was
the younger daughter of the house.
"Why are you not downstairs? When
are you going to be old enough to
come to Miss Lydia's parties?"
"Never, l hope" declared the girlish
red lips scornfully. "Do you really
like them? They sound so stupid to
me. Think Of staying in the house to
dance when you might be out coasting
or skating! Now, I've been coasting-
just came in. Such funy'
billiard sat down upon the arm of
Ted's big chair. ''Tell me about it"
he requested. "In the first place-who
took your"
Virginia closed her book and came
around to drop among Ted's sofa pill
lows, six feet away. She wore her
skating dress yet, he saw; an ankle
length, and bordered, gray affair, with
touch Of scarlet which set off her
dark young beauty effectively.
"Oh, l went with our set" she ex-
planned. ut was magnificent. 1
shouldn't have made Kent bring me
in so early if 1 hadn't forgotten all
about Lydia's party"
''But really" he insisted, "when are
you coming out?"
"Why, that is thing that's depend
ent on several Others" declared the
girl. "In the first place, I'm in no
hurry. In the second place, Lydia $
IN no" She stopped abruptly, look
ing up at him with a shake of the
head. II don't mean that" she added
quickly.
n,,5 Ill y
was sure you must be-well, nearly
18, at least"
II am-19-at most" she admitted.
IF l should put my hair up, you'd
See."
"And they're keeping you back on
your sisters account"
THAT'S all right" she said defiant
~. ut does make a girl seem older to
have big younger sister around. And,
besides, l really want to stay girl as
long as l can. l hate to put my hair
up and my skirts quite down. don't
care a straw for dressing up and go
ing to receptions and teas and parties.
Lydia loves 1t. | love cOaSting and
skating and riding and swimming, and
all the rest Of it,"
$50 do l." he said heartily, "and it's
long while since l was 49,"
She looked at him critically. Eyes.
] should think you must be about So.
No, you can't be, because you were at
college with Ted"
He laughed mot quite that" he
said. ut won't be long before I am,
though. But should like coasting as
well as ever. wish / had been out
with-your party-to-night It's years
since I've coasted"
Virginia's eyes turned longingly to-
ward the windows. ITS a heavenly
night" she said. Lets co." She
looked at him, smiling daringly.
He stared at her for a minute then
he leaped to his feet with laugh.
"Come on" he cried, under his breath.
"There's nothing I'd like to do better.
But how shall We manage it?"
Il didn't really mean it," said Vir-
ginia; 'but if YOU do we might have
just one coast, and nobody would miss
you. Well slip down the side stair
case, and Lucian's hobs are where we
can get them"
I'll tell you," said billiard rapidly,
his eyes dancing. I'll just take this
book down to your sister, mix in the
crowd. slip away in ten minutes, and
then we'll be free-see?
This plan was carried out. The two
stole silently away from the house.
and In ten minutes more were at the