Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-07-11
CHAPTER XvlI.-continued.


There was sound of mirth and
scampering feet in the hall above and
then down the steps between the line
of guests arrested in their descent,
came dark laughing girl in the garb
of Little Red Riding Hood, amid gen.
eral applause and laughter.
Its Olivia! She won the wager!"
and the girl, whose dark curls were
sheken about her face, ran up to us
and threw her arms about him and
kissed him. 1t was 9 charming pic
ture-the figures on the stairway, the
pretty, graceful child, the eager. happy
faces all about was too interested
in the scene to be uncomfortable.
Then, at the top of the stair, her
height accentuated by her gown of
white, stood Marian Devereux, hest
tating an instant, as a bird pauses be-
fore taking wing, ana then laughingly
running between the lines tc where
Olivia faced her in mock AFFECTION.
To the charm of the girl in the wood
land was added now the dignity of
Dedulllu
Ieaped at the thought that l had ever
spoken to her, that ! was there be-
cause she had tainted me with the
risk of coming.
Above, on the stair landing, deep
toned clock began 10 strike midnight
and every one cried Merry Christ
mas" and "Olivia's won" and there
was more hand clapping, in which
joined with good will.
Some one behind me was explaining
what had just occurred. Olivia, the
youngest daughter of the house, had
been denied glimpse of the ball;
Miss Devereux had made a wager
with her host that Olivia would APP
pear before midnight; and Olivia, de-
feating the plot against her, gained
the main hall at the stroke of II.
Good night! Good night" called
Olivia-the real Olivia-in derisionsto
the company, and turned and ran back
through the applauding, laughing
throng.
The specialized gentleman was. DIV
las father, and he Inockingly rebuked
Marian Devereux for having encour-
aged an infraction of parent disci-
pline, while she was INVITING him upon
the loss of his wager. Then her eyes
rested upon me for the first time She
lifted her brows slightly, but contin-
ued talking placidIy to her host. The
situation did not please me; ] had not
Travelled so far and barglariously 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 to claim her the instant she was
free. l did not propose to be thwarted
by the beaux of Cincinnati and / ad-
dressed my host boldly.
Il beg your pardon. Doctor"
said with an assurance for which
blush to this hour ....
''All right, my boy; l, too, have been
in Already" he exclaimed in cheerful
apology, and she put her hand on my
arm and led her away.
HE called me my boy so must be
passing muster" / remarked, not dar-
ing to look at her.
He's afraid not to recognize you.
His inability to remember faces is a
town joke"
We reached a quiet corner of the
hn1 I Go
you don't seem surprised to see
me,-you knew 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
wretched. You didn't know that Mr.
Pickering-Mr. Pickering"
She was greatly distressed and this
name came from her chokingly:
yes; what of him ?" laughed. HE
is well on the way to California,-and
without you!"
''No-you don't know--you don't un
his California trip at Chicago; he tele
graphed me to expect him-here-to
night! You must go at once-a
once!"
"Ah, but you can't brighten me-"
said, trying to realize just what meet
ing with Pickering in that house Nigh
mean.
No,"-she looked anxiously about
they were to arrive late, he and tn
Taylors; they know the Armstrong
quite we'll They may come at an
moment now. Please go!"
"But l have only few minutes my
sslf,-you wouldn't have me sit ther
iat in the station down town? Their
sse some things l have come to sa.
aid Arthur Pickering and l are nc
afraid of each other!"
"But you must not meet him her
Think what that would. mean to me
You are very foolhardy, Mr.. Glenarn
bad no idea you would come"
but you wished to try me,-yo
challenged me-"
A'That wasn't met was Olivia
shs laughed, more at ease,
t..oaght-"
Yes, what did You think-that
was tied hand and foot by des
mans money"
NO, it wasn't that wretched fo
tune; but / enjoyed playing the chi
before you'll really love Olivia-ar
it seemed that the fairies were protet
ing me and that / could play being
child to the very end of the chapt
without any real mischief coming of
] wish were Olivial" she declare
her eyes away from me.
stTrl af,c r,afhnr idle I'm not rool