Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-14
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHf0N.
Author Of "Grsus,sSk"
~
CspwIaht. 1901. hy eold.
s'ead sad 6embsry
s,ss.. - ..

! fr0ntiersmcn Vcro opening the trails
through thc fertile wilds west of the
AlleChanieS n strong branch of the Cal
houn family followed close In their
footsteps. The majors great grand
father saw tie glorles and the posi-
| b!lites OF the new territory. He struck
boldly forward from the old Revolu
tionary grounds. abandoning the luxu.
| rieA and traditions Of the Carolinas for
fresh, Wild life of promise. His sons
! ana daughters became solid stones in
the foundation CT Il commonwealth,
and his grandchildren nre still at work
on the structure. state md national
legislatures had known the Calhouns
from the beginning. Battlefelds had
tested their vuor, and drawing rooms
had proved their gcutlity.
Major Calhoun had fought with
Stonewnll jackson and won his spurs,
and at the same time the heart and
hand of Betty Haswell, the stnnchest
Confederate who ever made flags.
bandaEcs and prayers for the boys In
gray Which the reconstruction came
he went to congress, and later on be
tNluf llDtll I''li Ill ilc III Ell G9lul FS
consular service, for years holding an
important European post Congress
claimed him once more in the early
nlnetles. and III re he is at this very
time.
Everybody IN Washington's social
and diplomatic circles admired the
beautiful beverly calhoun. According
to his own loving term of Identified
ton she was the majors youngest"
The fair sputhefucr had seen two sea
sons IN the cations capital. Cupid,
standing directly In front OF her. had
shot his darts ruthlessly and resist
lesslv iuto The passing hosts, and mas
culine Washington looked humbly to
her for the balm that might soothe its
pains. The vii; god of love was fair
enough TO protect the girl whom he
forced TO lie his unwilling. perhaps IN
conscious. ally. He held his impeue
trabe shield between her heart and
the assaults OF whole army Of suit
ors, high and low, great and small. It
was not idle rulnor that said she had
declined Il Coronct or two. that the
millions Of NOR" than one American
Midas had boon offered to her and that
she had dealt gently but firmly with a
score OF hearts which had nothing but
love, ambition and poverty to support
them In the conflict.
The Calhouns lived In a handsome
home not far from the residence Of Mr..
and Mrs. Grenfall Lorry. 1t seemed
but natural that the two beautiful
,l,o :
and loyal friends Women as lovely
as they have 10 reason to be jealous.
1t Is only the woman who does not feel
secure of her personal charms that
cultivates envy. At the home OF Grau-
stark's princess Beverly met the dukes
and harons from the far east. 1t was
in the warmth of the Calhoun hospital
ity that Yetve formed her dearest love
for the American people.
Miss Beverly was neither tall nor
short She was of that divine aud in
definite height known as medium, slen-
der. but perfectly nodded; strong, but
graceful-an absolutely healthy young
person. whose beauty knew well how
, to take care of itself Being quite
heart whole and fancy free, she slept
well, ate well and enjoyed every min
, ute Of life. In her blood ran the warm
eager impulses Of the south; hereditary
love Of ease and luxury displayed itself
in every emotion; the perfectly norma
p. demand upon mems admiration was as
characteristic in her as 1t is in any
daughter of the land whose women
are born to expect chivalry and HON
} age.
\ couple of years In a New York
= finishing school, for young ladies hat
= served greatly TO modify Miss Cal
f houn's colloquiai charms. Many Of hel
+ delightful way down south" phrases
and mannerisms were blighted by the
cold. unromantic atmosphere Of a sem
l mary conducted by two ladies from
: Boston who were too old to marry, too
' pcnurious to love and too prim TO thnl
that other women might care to dt
q both. There were times however,
= she were excited or enthusias tic--whel
u pretty Beverly so far forgot her ira lin
| ing as to break forth with very at
tractive "yo' al" "suah 'nough" or "g,
t long naow' And when the bands
played Dixie" she was not afraid t,
stand up and wave her handkerchief
The noftherner who happened to b
,, with her on such occasions usual,
: found himself doing likewise before III
= could escape the infection.
' Miss Calhoun's face was one tina
. painters coveted deep down in thei
. artistic souls. 1t never knew a dull In
- slant; there was expression in ever,
lineament In every look; life, genuin
. life, dwelt in the mobile counteDanc
=, that turned the head of every man an
> woman who looked upon it, Her hal
=, was dark brown and abundant; he
:, eyes were deep gray and locke
q eagerly from between long lashes c
a black; her lips were red and eve
willing to smile or turn p!aintive as o,
a casion required; her brow was broa
n and fair, and her frown was as DANCE
n GUS as a smile.
=. AS to hey age, II the major admitted
~ somewhat indiscreetly, that all his chi
o dren were old enough to vote, he
~ mother, with the reluctance born
women, confessed that she was pal
49, twenty, so a year or two either wa
:, will determine Miss Beverly's age &
~ oc tho taIlipv NJ thiS ctorv Ia m,