Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-02-21
A Question Of Caste.
BY BELLE MANDATES.

There was no reason, apparently
why these two people, Carter johns
and Cleo Rivers. should not have pur-
sued their friendship openly and free
ly. but they had met in a most uneon-
yentional way. and there seemed to be
tacit, though unspoken. agreement
between them that their meetings
should be elandesIine'
Cleo was naturally interested and
excited when she found the house next
TO theirs. which had been vacant Tor
so long. had been sold aud was TO be
occupied.
Her first surreptitlous inspection OF
one member OF the new family was
from a window overlooking their back
yard.
Johns, tall and straight. was critic
ally examining and testing a stupen-
dous touring car. He looked very pie
turesque In a dark flannel shirt, his
wrists and throat In dead white con-
trast to his bronzed face and hands
He wore corduroy trousers and hunt
Ing boots. His hat, back-tilted,
showed dark. Byronie waving lock
across his brow.
Cleo's heart beat pleasurably. She
was born eoquette. and presently. at
tired In the most delectable OF white
embroldei ed linen gowns. white shoes
and chiffon hat. she sauntered into the
back garden. He looked up. and his
glance fingered longingly, She feigned
to be unconscious of his presence and
began picking some flowers. Eventu'
ally she gave a sidelong glance
Blushing furiously at being detected IL
his observation, he redoubled his at
tentions to the automobile.
Cleo was not conventional.
Wont you have a rose?' she asked
With eager haste and thanks HI
crossed the boundary line to the two
gardens.
Il think we should be neighborly,
she said, with little laugh.
Il quite agree with you" he replied
decorously, "and since there Is no on'
present to introduce me, will do my
self the honor OF presenting myself
Carter Johns"
MY name is Cleo Rivers" she said
with naivete. did you just move IL
last night? We heard the place hat
been sold"
I'VE are only partly moved h
said, smiling. Il was anxious to Sc
II my new car came through safely
think 1t is in good shape"
st certainly looks so to me" sh
answered, surveying the motor admir-
ingly.
do you like to ride?"
Indeed | dol" she cried, enthusiast
tically There is no sweeter musi
than the chugging of a machine"
He couldn't tell afterwards how |
really happened, or which one of then
first made the suggestion, but. any
way, he had an engagement to TAX
her out in the automobile that night
He was afraid she would think hir
presumptuous, but she had SCENE
pleased, and blushed as she told hin
she would have to meet him at tn
stable-that they" would never con
sent He treasured her that he un
derstood the situation, and that h
would meet her anywhere and brin
her safely home.
She looked very elegant in her dar
attire, as she met him that night bac
of the stable and she thought hir
even handsomer in conventional attir
than in his semi-hunting garb
They quickly sped away from tn
crowded streets, and when they cam
, to road that was free, Carter az
her out" in way that was intoxica
, ing to Cleo.
Then he slackened up. and the
talked on great many subjects. Sh
said, truly, and he believed her, thu
she had never stolen out to meet an!
one like this before
'She is young and unsophisticated
he thought, 'and she came out wit
me for the mere love of lark, b,
| wish she could come to care for n
as do for her. can't expect that
HE is simply grand!" she though
with little thrill of recollectit
when she was safely back in her ow
room, but he's SO much older ths
and has seen SO much of the worl
Oh, love him now, but of course |
: oh, mol" she concluded with 81
little sigh.
The next afternoon as she was wal
ing through the park, he passed her
his bluish-white car. She bowed, al
he lifted his hat courteously al
passed on. She was disappointed tn
he did not stop and ask her to rio
q since he was alone. Before he h;
is gone very far his car stopped, and
got out to investigate the cause. s
came on and up to him.
IN