Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-04-11

Sne S1ln iauSning loudly.
Sbo did not appear to see the hand
be offered, but got to her feet with
out help and walked quickly away
with Norbert. who proceeded to livd|
up to the character he had given hinl
self.
perhaps we bad better not try 4
ngain," she laughed.
well, / should think not" he rel
turned, with the franllest gloom|
With the air of conducting her homd
he took her to the chair against thd
wall whence he had brought her|
There his responsibility for her seem
cd to cease "Will You excuse mel
he asked, and there was no doubt tina
be felt that he had been given mor@
than his share that evening, evei|
though lie was fat.
Ariel sat through more dances. in|
termineble dances and ntermissions, d
that same chair in which, It began n
seem, she was TO live out the rest 81
Der life. Now and then If she though
people were looking at her as tbrJ
passed she broke into laugh and nod
Ged slightly, rs II still amused over he|
mishap.
After n long time she rose and, laugh
| IN. cheerfully TO Mr.. Flitcroft, Will
! was standing in the doorway and ri
| Piled with wan smile stepped otI
! quickly into the hail. where she almos
ran into her greatuncle, Jonas TabDI
/ lie was going toward the big rroI
doors with Judge Pike, having =:
come ont Of the latter's library, doH|
the hall
Jonas was breathing heavily and wc|
shockingly pale, though his eyes wei
very bright. He turned his back upo|
his grandnlece sharply and went on
OF the door. Ariel turned from hi 4
quite az abruptly ana re-entered III
room whence she had come. She laugh
cd again TO her fat friend ss she passe|
| him and, still laughing, went towaTj
the fatal chair. when her eyes caugiI
sight of Eugene Bantry and Mani
coming in through the window. 81
went 10 the window and looked ou|
The porch seemed deserted and wI
family illuminated by a few Japane|
lanterns. Sire sprang out, dropped upsI
the divan and, burying her face in HI
hands, cried heartbrokenly. Present Il
she felt something alive touch her foe
and, her breath catching with alaril
she started to rise. A thin hand, issI
ing from n shabby sleeve, had stohI
out between two Of the green tubs AL
was pressing upon one of her shoes.
"Sh" said Joe. Don't make
noise, What were you crying about
Nothing" she said, the tears n
ceasing TO gather in her eyes.
II want to know what 1t was"
insisted. Didn't the fools ask II
to dance? Well, what do you cal
about that forT'
Il don't" she answered; 'T don
. Then suddenly, without being able
prev vent ii, she sobbed.
She gave way all at once to gust
sorrow and bitterness. She bent 4
over and caught his hand and laid
against her wet cheek. "Oh, Joe" i
whispered brokenly, Il think we hal
such hard lives, you and I! 1t does|
seem right while we're so young! WI
can't we be like the others? Why ca 1
, we have some Of the fun
He withdrew his hand with the e|
barrasement and shame he would hal
felt had she BEEN a boy. "Get out.'
. said feebly.
= She did not seem to notice, but sI
, stopping, rested her elbows on j
knees and her face in her hands.
o try so hard to have fun, to be like 4
/ rest. ard its always a mistake,
r ways. always. always" She rockI
q herself slightly from side 10 side.
+ am fool, it's the truth. or l would
l. have come tonight. | want to be
- tractive. l want to be in things.
$ want TO laugh Ike they do"
; "I'll tell you something" Joe VIII
: pered. chuckling desperately. "Ge|
t made me unpack his trunk, and ! dol
l. believe he's as great man at cold
i as he is here. l opened one Of
e books. and some one had written I'M
, 'prigamaloo Bantry, the Glass Try-I
Be. lie never uOtlCeh, anu II
j ought to have heard him go on. Yo1
d have Just died, Ariel. l almost III
+ wide oDen. 1t was mean trick in II
Y but | couldn't help showing 1T to h'I
+ Joe's object was obtained. She st
d ped crying and, wiping her eyes, smi
a family. Then she became grnI
II You're jealous of Eugene" she saI
" He considered this for mome|
l. Yes" he answered thoughtfully;
l am. But | wouldn't think about II
u differently on that account. And
g wouldn't talk about him to any one
you"
st You must go away" she said al
a iously. "Oh. please. Joe.'
r "Not yet. I want
4, She coughed loudly. Eugene =
o Mamie Pike had come to the wind|
d with the evident intention Of occu|
E. ing the veranda; bat, perceiving Al
O. engaged with threads IN her slee)
they turned away and disappear
at ss4:f I N ~