Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-09-28

modesty she had never thought or ner-
self as in any way the fellow or equal
of the other girls in town, who were
eagerly invited to attend everything
in the way of entertainments. If any
other young man in town had asked
her to be lis partner on this occasion
she would have regarded the occur
renee as a surprising one. TO be ask
ed by Guilford Duncan was more as
tonishing than all She knew the high
place he had won for himself in Cairo
She knew that he was everywhere re-
garded as altogether the superior OF
all the other young men Intellectually
morally, socially and in all other ways
She regarded him .as an arist0cra,
among men, a man who had always held
aloOf from the society around him, as
If it were quite unworthy Of his atten'
ton. She had womans instinct enough
too, to know how greatly honored any
other girl in the city would feel If
asked by him to any function. The
fact that he had asked her instead OF
some other puzzled her almost to be-
wilderment.
At first she gave him no answer. She
was obviously thinking, and Duncan
let her think on. He thought she look
ed exceedingly pretty while thinking.
He observed slight puckering of her
forehead at the time, which seemed TO
him to add interest to her face. After
little she said:
THANK you, Mr.. Duncan, for your
invitation. l am more pleased with 1t
than l can say. But think must ask
you to excuse me. l think can't pos
slbly 90 to the dance"
"May l ask why not? Do you not
care for dancing and society"
"Oh, | care very much. or, rather"
she added with scrupulous fidelity to
truth, II should care very much to at
tend this party. 1 should enjoy it more
than anything, but
"Will you think me impertinent,"
Duncan asked when she thus stopped
In the middle of her sentence-"will
you think me impertincnt II ask you
what comes after that word but?
"Oh, | think you mustn't ask me
that. At least l think l mustn't an
swer you"
every WE'LL" replied the young man.,
pleased with the girls manner in spite
of his disappointment over her hesita-
ton. MAY l make suggestion? II
you had simply said mo- to my invita-
ton, of course / should not think Of
urging it upon you. But what you
have said shows me that you would
welcome it if there were not some
thing in the way. Perhaps you can
overcome the difficulty. Will you not
try? Will you not take little time to
think and perhaps to consult with your
friends"
IL should like to, but that would be
unfair to you. 1t might deprive you of
an opportunity to ask some one else."
81 shall ask no one else. shall not
attend the affair at all unless / am
privileged to escort you. If 1 may l
will call tomorrow evening and every
evening until you can give me your de-
cision."
There was a certain masterfulness
in his manner and utterance which
seemed to leave no chance for further
discussion. So Barbara simply said:
very we'll. I'll be ready to answer
you tomorrow evening. suppose
am ready now, but you wish me to
wait, and it shall be So"
Duncan hurriedly took his leave. Per-
haps he feared that if he stayed longer
the girl might make her mo" a final
one. Otherwise ne hoped for better
outcome.
When he had gone poor little Bah sat
for time In bewilderment She still
could not understand why such a man
as Guilford Duncan, whom everybody
regarded as the coming man" in Cal
70. should have chosen her instead OF
some other as the recipient of his invi-
tation. She could not still certain
fiuttering about her heart. She was
full of joy, and yet she was sorely
grieved that she must put aside what
seemed to her supreme opportunity
to be happy for time.
1t was always her way when any
emotion pleased or troubled her to go
to her friend, Mrs. Richards, for
strength and soothing. So now she
suddenly sprang up, put on her hat and
wraps and hurried to her one friends
home. The distance was so small that
she needed no escort, particularly as
Robert, who happened to be at the
gate, could see her throughout the little
Journey. And she knew that the faith
full negro boy would wait there until
Der return.
"You are all in furry, child" said
her friend for greeting. what Is IL
about? Do you come to me for ad-
vice, or sympathy, or consolation"
For Mrs. Richards knew Of Duncan's
visit, and with a shrewd womans wit
he,guessed that Barbara's disturbance
Of mind was in some way connected
with that event.
mo" answered the girl. 81 didn't
come to consult you, at least l think l
didn't. 1t is only that something has
happened, and want to tell you about
it."
Every we'll, dear. Go on"
4Oh, it's nothing very important
Only that Mr.. Guilford Duncan has
asked me to 60 with him to the party
next week."
"Well, go on. 1 see nothing strange
in that"
'Why, don't you understand? 1t Is
Mr.1Duncan. and he has asked me-"
II see nothing yet to wonder at"
calmly replied her friend. Indeed, 1t
f,t,,O 7 W. n.