The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
By OHIO B. SENGA

II WIS cldTuCleTlStlC vi iNOSs DIdlA
that he laughed, although somewhat
bitterly, as the gaudy auto car dashed
by. He had received but the merest
nod of recognition from Miss Danvers.
Ross, my boy" he soliloquized. you
must have made q mistake in thinking
you were invited 10 join this festive
crowd"
He took a small envelope from his
inner coat pocket aud read portions of
the note in mumbling undertone, add
ing caustic comments us he proceeded
My dear Ross Mn, dear Ross
feels pretty cheap-about % cents
worth at the present moment. There
will be small party of US ut Wiers
from the 10th to the 9th Well, I'm
only two days in the rear-not bad for
n laboring man! 1T would be very
pleasant if you could be there ut the
same time. MN, pleasant! l wonder
just where the pleasure comes ins
Well, here we are. Ross, brace up"
He furtively tiieked the dust from his
shoes and ran lightly up the broad ter
races to the hotel piazza.
He had hoped that Etfie would wait
for him. She must have known that he
was on his way to call upon her.
The torturlng minutes seemed hours
after he had sent up his card. and he
felt the scarlet food mount to his fore
head again and again as some laugh
ing girl stole a second glance at his
handsome face and stalwart figure
When Efie came down the stairs
gowned In white she seemed to the
embarrassed young fellow the embodi
ment OF GOODNESS and self possession.
Her greeting was hardly courteous
In degree removed from cordially. and
she spoke with some asperity.
why, Ross Brady, where are you
staying1 l expected you to register
herew
He crimsoned under the reproof OF
her voice and manner; then the square
shoulders were set back, and the heavy
chin hardened.
You knew. Eff1e," gravely. that l
could not afford the rates here. | am
with you whenever you wish, Eff1e,"
pleadngly.
She seemed not TO hear him.
And your call Just now, Ross" fret
fully, us wholly without regard to Ell
quette. | only came down to tell you
that you can come again tomorrow,
and be sure to send up two cards, ont
for me and one for Mrs. Lyons, the
chaperon of the party.
He laughed shortly,
"Etfie the card | sent up is probably
the last one | have. My vacation II
necessarily a brief one, and
"Oh. Ross" in an excited whisper.
there comes Miss Van Vance! Do go!
] mustn't be seen talking to you like
this. She is from New York and aw
fully
Brady waited no longer. He bowed
formally to Effie and turned sharply
toward the door, meeting Miss Van
Vance on the threshold.
She looked squarely into his eyes as
they passed with an expression that
he afterward recalled and wondered
about.
She's n good deal older than Effie
and those other girls" he mused II
wonder Then he shrugged his shout
ders impatiently. What difference
does 1t make anyhow? III write Eff
f1e a note. was a donkey not to
think about cards. don't wonder she
was annoyed. She wants to be cor
rect about matters of etiquette, OF
course"
But Brady's honest heart was sore
indeed on the following day when the
messenger returned with no answer to
the pleading little note he sent to Effle.
He put on rough suit of flannel and
started for a tramp, strldlng rapidly
along the country road, his handsome
face moody and forbiddlng.
The sound Of wheels reused him
from his unpleasant reflections.
at Is country etiquette" said clear
voice, for one who drives to ask one
who walks to have a lift
He turned quickly. 1t was Miss Van
Vance, seated In light Stanhope, driv-
ing high stepping bay. She smiled
down into his astonished face, refined
and turned the animal with quick
movement of her supple wrist, glanc-
Ing inyitlngly at the seat beside her
Brady had never before been chal-
lenged In just such a way, and his
blood rose. His usual diffidence van
ished; he stepped promptly into the
vehicle and seated himself, saying
easily, els 1t etiquette for the one who
walks to Introduce himself to the one
who drlyes?"
1T isn't necessary" coolly. You are
Ross Brady; you were brought up on n
farm In northern Vermont; you have
studied all sorts of ologles and isms,
and you are now taking the advanced
course In metallurgy at the Harvard
summer school"
"Who told you?" rashly.
mo one. simply put two and two
together. The sum is seven l wasn't
sure, but your question proves It,"
81 am easily trapped" admitted
Brady.
He felt a sudden sense of ease and
confidence and Of comradeship with
this stately looking girl, and almost be.
fore he knew it he was pouring forth
the whole story of his aims and am
billions. his plans and hopes, even to
his love for little Effie Danvers and
his chagrn at her cool reception.