The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-14

gowns and pretty wearers, and i'm the
| center of them the p0rtly figure and
| triumphant face of Mrs. Darlington
Sells. Beside her, immaculate in white
tiannels. stood Burton Sturgis. a tall.
thin man with Il commanding profile
and dark hair lightly touched with
gray
Hes just as | imagined he wOulI
be-" murmured Marion even TO the
little bored look that settles around his
eyes and the quick way he has of
throwing back his head"
Every now and then Il group of girls
would drift up TO her table with little
EXPLANATIONS and thrills of laughter.
"Oh, thank you, Miss Page. How cool
and delicious. Oh. girls. isn't Burton
Sturgis fascinating. and aren't his
books too lovely for anything? Let's
| go back and talk to him again" And
the group would break away from
| Marion and return to the ring that
surrounded the great man. From time
! TO time Marion caught suatcheS of
their feminine chatter Your charm
ing books. Mr.. Sturgis, Adorable,
Quaint! DelicOusr
Presently Mrs. Sells broke away from
her circle and waddle1 up to Marie
with Burton Sturgis in tow.
My DEAR" she wheezed. let me pre-
sent Mr. SturgiS. Mr.. Sturgis, Miss
| Page See that he has enough. Mar
ion," and, playfully waving her pr,
| hand at them. she went back t, her
other guests.
1T is a thirsty day" said Burton
Sturgis, taking the sherbet cup that
| Marion held out to him. DO you
think you could manage to put in an
other cherry, Miss Page? I'm awfully
| fond of Cherries
But they're so elusive laughed
Marion. They always seem TO slip
out of the ladlc. | just think I've
caught one. and then it gets away"
ITS like the small boy and the
minnOw," agreed Burton Sturgis, his
bored look giving place to smile
There. You've missed it again" as
| a refractory cherry with Il little splash
sank to the bottom of the bowl
Il doubt if you could do rs WELL"
cried Marion.
What do you bet?" he said boyishly
Two waters and half a macaroon.'
Done He seized the ladle and was
in the midst of an excited dipping
when Mrs. Sells came toward him like
Il ship under full sail
They're calling for you. Mr.. Stur-
gis." SIZE said, land this room is too
small 10 hold them all We shall be
mobbed if we don't hurry"
He put down the ladla with n regret
full look. Il suppose I'll have to, then"
he said and followed her with tagging
steps.
Marion leaned her chin on her hand
and looked after him. Her moment of
moments was over. She had met her
idol face to face, and not one word had
she spoken of all that his personality
and worl. had meant TO her in the past
two years. A flush passed across her
face. Il might at least have told him
that | had read his books" she said to
utiStll' bul II 100 ldtt HOW. We
had my chance and lost it. What
little stupid he must think me If he
thinks of me at all"
Then the lire of chattcring guests be-
gan to thin. One by one they were de-
parting. Mrs. harrington Sells round
face was lit with contentment. 1t had
been a most successful afternoon.
even she had something to say to
him., thought Marion disconsolately.
There was quick step at her side.
She looked up. II was Burton Sturgis.
"Well, that's over" he cried, with a
shrug of delight. And, heavens, but
I'm glad to be back in this corner
with you. Do you know, Miss Page,
you're the only girl this afternoon who
hasn't said Quaint, lovely, charming
and delicious" I'd like another cher
~, please. And will you do me
favor?"
Delighted" cried Marion gayly
1--WE decided to stay over another
day, and there's place near here I'd
like to show you if you'd care to see It,
VIII you come driving with me to-
morrow"
For an instant his eyes held hers
Understanding, humOr, camaraderie and
a something deeper than all these pass
ed between them.
Il should be glad to-" said Marion.