Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-08-09
By BOOTH HARRINGTON,

| termlnable dances and lnternlsslonB. Ii
that same chair, In which, it began {
seem, she was to live out the rest o
; her life. Now and then If she though
people were looking at her as theI
passed she broke into a laugh and nod
ded slightly, as II still amused over he
mishap.
After a long time she rose and, laugh
ing cheerfully 10 Mr. Flltcroft. wht
was standing In the doorway and re
piled with wan smile, stepped ou
quickly into the hall, where she almos
ran into her greatuncle, Jonas Tabor
He was going toward the big from
doors with Judge Pike. having just
come out of the latter's library, down
the hall.
Jonas was breathing heavily and was
shockingly pale. though his eyes were
very bright. He turned his back upon
his grandnlece sharply and went orf
OF the door. Ariel turned from him
quite as abruptly and re-entercd the
room whence she had come. She laugh
ed again to her fat friend as she passed
him and, still laughing. went toward
the fatal chair, when her eyes caught
sight of Eugene Bantry and Mamie
coming In through the window. She
went 10 the window and looked out
The porch seemed deserted and was
family illuminated by few japanese
lanterns. She sprang out, dropped upon
the dlvan and, burying her face in her
hands, cried heartbrokenly. Presently
she felt something alive touch her foot,
and. her breath catching with alarm,
she started TO rise. A thin hand, lssu-
ing from a shabby sleeve, had stolen
out between two OF the green tubs and
was pressing upon one of her shoes.
"Sh" said Joe. Don't make a
nolsel What were you crying about"
Nothing" she said. tho tears not
ceasing TO gather In her eyes.
II want 10 know what II was" he
insisted. Didn't the fools ask you
to dancer Well, what do you care
about that for7"
II don't" she answered; II don't"
Then suddenly. without being able to
prevent II. she sobbed.
She gave way all at once to gust of
sorrow and bitterness. She bent far
over and caught his hand and laid Il
against her wet cheek. "Oh. Joe" she
whispered brokenly, II think we have
such hard lives. you and II II doesn't
seem right while we're 10 young Why
can't we be like the othersI Why can't
we have some OF the funr'
He withdrew his hand with the en-
barrassment and shame he would have
felt had she been boy. Get outr' he
said fecbly.
She did not seem 90 notice. but. still |
STOPPING. rested her elbows ON her
knees and her face In her hands. II
try 30 hard 90 have fun. 20 be like the
rest. and it's always mistake. al
ways. always. alwaysv' She rocked
herself slightly from side 10 side, IL
am fool. It's the truth. or wouldn't |
have come tonight. want 20 be at
tractlve. want 10 be In things. l
want 10 laugh like they do"
"Ill tell you something" Joe whls-
pered. chuckling desperately. ''Gene
made me unpack his trunt and don't
believe he's as great a man at college
as he Is here. l opened one OF his
books. and some one had written In II,
'Prigamaloo Bantry, the Glass Try-to-
Re- He'd never noticed. and you
ought 20 have heard him go on You'd
have just died. Ariel, almost bust
wide open. II was "A mean trick IN me,
but l couldn't help showing IL 90 him"
Joe's object was obtained. She stop
ped crying and. wiping her eyes. smiled
falntly Then she became grave.
You're Jealous OF Eugene" she said.
lie considered this for moment.
Yes" he answered thoughtfully; II
am. But wouldn't think about him
differently ON that account Aud
wouldn't talk about him 10 any one but
you"
"You must so away" she said anx.
ously. "oh. please. Joe"
"Not yet want
she coughed loudly. Eugene and
Mamie Pike had come 10 the window,
With the evident intention OF occupy
ng the veranda; but percelylng Ariel
Engaged with threads In her sleeve.
hey turned away aud disappeared.
)ther couples looked out from time 10
lme and. finding the solitary figure In
retreated abruptly 90 seek
tairways aud remote corners for the
hlngs they were impelled TO say.
And SO Ariel held tho porch for three
ances and three lntermissiOns, occu-
'ylng a great part OF the time with
ntreaties that her obdurate and reck-
ess companion should 80. when for
he fourth time the music sounded, her
citation had SO Increased that she
'as vlsibly trembling. II can't stand
!. joe" she said. bending over him.
I don't know what would happen II
hey found you You've got 10 gOr'
"No; haven't no chuckled. They
svent even distributed the supper
ct"
And you take all the chances" she