Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-08-31

Accumulated b. Her Gown Of White,
Stood Marian Oevereux.
then down the steps. between the line
OF guests arrested IN their descent
came dark laughing girl in tho garb
or Little Red Riding Hood. amid gon-
ersl applause and laughter.
It's Olivia, She won the waye-,-
exclaimed the specialized gentleman
and tho girl. whose dark curls were
sheken about her fAco. ran up TO us
and threw her avms about him and
kissed him. IL WIS a charming pic
ture-the figures on tho stairway. tho
pretty. graceful child. tho eager. hapov
faces all about was too Interested
in the scene 20 30 uncomfortable.
Then. az the top OF the stair. her
height accumulated by her gown 70,
white. stood Marian Devereux. heal
tating an Instant a. bird pauses be-
fore taking wing. and then laughlnrlv
running between tho lines to where
olivia faced her IN mock affection
To the charm OF the girl In the wood.
land was added now the dignity os
beautiful womanhood. and my heart
spoken 20 her. that I was there be.
cause she had tainted me- with the
risk OF coming.
Above, on the stair landing. a deem
toned clock began to strike nldnirbt
and every one cried Merry -hrist.
mas" and "Oliyia's wont" and there
was moro hand clspping. In which 1
Joined with good viii.
Some one behind me was explaining
what had just occurred. Olivia. the
youngest daughter OF the house had
been denied a glimpse OF the ball:
Miss Dovereux had made a wager
with her host that Olivia would APP
pear before midnight; and Olivia, de-
feaung the plot against her. gained
the main hall at the stroke OF -.
Good night Good night" called
Ohvia-the real Olivia-ln derision to
the company. and turned and ran back
through the applauding. laughing
throng.
The specialized gentleman was DIV
las father. and he mockingly rebuked
Marian Devereux for having encour-
aged an infraction OF parent disci-
pine, while she was twitting him upon
the loss OF his wager Then her eyes
rested upon me for the first time. She
lifted her brows slightly. but conffn-
ued talking placidly 70 her host. The
situation did not please me; had not
travelled so far and barglarfOusly en-
tered Doctor Armstrong; house In
quest OF girl with blue eyes merely
TO stand by while she talked with an
other man.
l drew nearer, impatiently: and was
conscious that four other young men
In white waistcoats and gloves quite
as irreproachable as my own stood
ready 70 clam her the instant she was
free- did not propose 70 be thwarted
by the beaux OF Cincinnati and I ad-
dressed my host boldly.
beg your pardon, Doctor" I
said with an assurance for which I
blush to this hour.
All right, my boy; I. too. have been
IN Already" he exclaimed In cheerful
apology, and she put her hand on my
arm and led her away.
He called mo my boy so I must be
passing muster" remarked, not dar-
ing to look at her.
He's afraid not TO recognize Won.
His inability to remember faces IS a
town joke"
We reached a quiet corner of the
great hall and found seat for her.
You don't seem surprised to see
me.-you knew I would come. should
have come across the world for this.
for just this"
Her eyes were grave at once.
Why did you come? did not think
you were so foolish. This is also
You didn't know that MFR.
Pickering-Mr. Pickering"
She was greatly distressed and this
name came from her chokingiy.
Yes: what OF him ?" laughed. He
is well on the way to Calirornla.-and
without you'll"
No-you don't know-you don't uns