Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-08-03
Maid Joan
BY Ethel Darlington
Copyright, 1906, bu W. r. Cdtd,ceu
BY Ethel Darlington


borderland of pain. Her eyes wan.
dered to the other occupant of the box
who had entered late and she was sur.
prised to find his gaze fixed on her in
recognition. She felt a flush glow be.
meath her olive skin; then she bowed
distantly and with a sort of finality
returning to the study of her pro
gramme. 1t was one of the small boxes
tucked far back in the wide balcony of
the academy, but, as Joan assured
her mother, music was quite as enjoy.
able there as in the more conspicuous
seats.
When the solo ended she could not
resist CHANGING toward her companion
or smiling in recognition of their mu-
tual enjoyment. Besides, had he not
saved her at his own risk from a
scorching motor car only the week be-
fore? At the time she had been so
startled that she barely thanked him,
her one desire being to avoid the dlsa-
greeable attention caused by her es-
cape. 1t would be only ordinary good
manners to thank him now.
you were very prompt and coura-
geous the other day." she began gra-
ciously "My thanks were slight but
don't Judge my gratitude by that"
II trust you suffered no ill effects
from the adventureT
"No-that is, nothing material" Joan
laughed at her own wit having con-
fided to her sister that her rescuer's
fine eyes and rich deep voice had
haunted her ever since. Her laugh
loosened the strain of reserve, so that
they exchanged criticisms on the
orchestra. The girl was delighted to
find some one as music mad as herself.
She rose regretfully when it was over,
but he detained her, asking diff1dently
"Wlll you permit me to introduce
MYSELF"
Accepting the proffered card, Joan
recognized a name given by her sister
as that of fellow guest at their aunt's
recent reception. Her hero, then,
proved all a maid could desire, though
his very prominence left little chance
Of further acquaintance.
'If knew your name" he suggested
hopefully, perhaps a mutual friend-I
do want to know you better"
Joan hesitated, but because he was
so evidently in earnest was tempted
to admit: I'm called Joan, and there
is at least one person who knows us
both. If sincere you will find out the
rest for yourself" Then she hurried
home
A tale of tribulation greeted her.
Bridget has gone, without a moments
notice." her sister complained. Mother
and l have worked all the afternoon.
JOAN I'm dstracted-unless you'll help
me-"
I'm not much good at cooking"
protested Joan, "and for a dinner par
ty-Alice, you'll be fright if you cry
or rub your nose any redder. What
do you want me to do?"
Mother will finish the cooking"
declared Alice. "Will you serve it?
Oh, please" as Joan negatived the sug-
gestion. Il should be so Inundated If
compelled to wait on ourselves. There
will be no one that you know-only
two men"
"Mr. Clive?" inquired Joan. And on
her sister nodding assent she yielded,
with a grimace.
Before going to her mothers as
sistance. however, she could not resist
relating the afternoons meeting, wind
ing up triumphantly, 80 that my hero
proves to be the exclusive Laurence
Hale"
While dressing Alice thought I'M
easily of this revelation. Having told
Joan that the proposed guests We're
strangers, if she now confessed Hale
to be one of them would her sister not
refuse the part assigned her? Yet
much depended on the success of the
evening
The girls aunt, Mrs. Drew, moved in
the circle of Philadephia's elite, a
privilege forfeited by their mother on
her marriage to a struggling musician.
OF late Mrs. Drew, perhaps because of
Alice's resemblance to herself, had TAX
en- an interest in her niece and had
given her a winters gayety an advan-
tage Alice now planned to follow up
with an informal dinner in order that
her mother might meet Give. who had
shown her considerable attention. Be-
fore Bridget's DETECTION everything had
promised well; even now there need be
no failure If Joan fulfilled her promise
"Will I do?" demanded Joan. rushing
in arrayed in regulation black with a
white apron, her naturally wavy hair
drawn severely back and pinned close
ly around her head.
Alice felt treasured. Joan looked so
demurely prim.
She received the guests, so Joan did
not see them until she announced soft
ly, Dinner is served" when meeting
the astonished gaze of Laurence Hale
she fled precipitately back to the dining
room. Enraged that such trick should
have been played her, her first thought
was of throwing up the task and leav-
ing the little party to shift for itself
The harm, however, was done. Alice's
eyes pleaded for forgiveness, which
Joan willfully misunderstood by offer
| mo her the oIiVpS She watched Clive