Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1907-06-21
ANITA.

Avn ~
On my first day in long trousers 1
may have been more i'll at ease than
was that Sunday evening at the
Ellerslys, but | doubt it,
When came into their big drawing
room and took look around at the
assembled guests, | never felt more
at home in my life Yes" said | to
myself as Mrs Ellersly was greeting
me and as noted the friendly inter-
est in the glances of the women. this
Is where | belong. I'm beginning to
come into my own"
AS look back on II now, | can't re-
frain from smiling at my own slmpf-
city-and snobbshness. For, so de-
termined was | to believe what | was
working for was worth while, that
actually fancied there were uponthese
in reality ordinary people, ordinary in
looks, ordinary In intelligence. some
subtle marks of superiority. that made
them at a glance superior to the COM
mon run. This ecstasy of snobbish-
ness deluded me as to the women
OulJ -lbl DO AO0fANo a. eAAC AANAs
at once felt myself their superior.
They were an inconsequential. pat
termed lot. | even was better dressed
than any of them. except possibly
Mowbray Langdon, and IL he showed
to more advantage than |, IL was be
cause Of his manner, which, as !
have probably said before, is superior
to that of any human being I've ever
seen-man or woman,
"You are to take Anita in," said
Mrs. Ellersly. With laughable sense
that was doing myself proud, !
crossed the room easily and took my
stand in front of her. She shook hands
with mo politely enough. Langdon was
sitting hesido her; | had interrupted
their conversation.
Hello, HlaekloclS!" said LangdoL.
with q quizzical, satirical smile with
the eyes only. 1T seems strange to
see you at such peaceful pursuits,
His glance travelled over me critically
and that was the beginning OF nay
trouble. Presently he rose, left me
alone with her.
you know Mr. Langdon2e she said.
obviously because she felt she must
say something.
eOh. yes" replied. we are old
friends. What a tremendous swell ne
is-really a swell" This with enthu-
siasm.
she made no comment. debated
With myself whether to go on talking
Of Langdon. I decided against 1t be
cause all knew Of him had 10 do with
matters down town--and Monson had
IMPRESSED 1t upon me that down town
was taboo in the drawing-room.
rummaged my brain in vain for an
other and suitable topic.
she sat. and stood-she tranquil
and beautiful and cold, every instant
more miserabIy self-conscious. When
the start for the dining-room was
made I offered her my left arm,
though had carefully planned be
forAhaud lust what would do. She
w,thout hesitation and. as know now,
out Of sympathy for me in my suffer
ing-was taking my wrong arm. when
II dashed on me like a binding blow
In the face that | ought to be on the
ether side OF her. got red, tripped
in the far-sprawiing trasl OF Mrs
T.angdon. tore It slightly. tried 70 get
10 the other side Of Miss Eilersly by
walking in front Of her. recovered
myself somehow. stumbled round be-
hind her. walked on her train and
anaIly arrived at her left side. con.
acious in every red.hot atom Of me
that was making q spectacle d
myself and that the whole company
was enjoying it. muat have seemed
10 them an ignorant boor. in fact.
had been about q great deal among
oeogle Who knew how 10 behave. and
had / never given the mater OF hov