Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-13

school girl OF 15 or 16 FOR a grown
woman, but It was the amo'-shanter,
the short skirt, the youthful Joy in
the outdoor world that had Disguised
her as effectually 40 Rosalind to the
eyes Of Orlando. She was probably a
teacher-quite likely the teacher Of
music, argued. who had amused her.
self at my expense
Il had seemed the easiest thing In
the world to approach her with an
apology or a farewell. but those few
inches added to her skirt and that
pretty gray toQue substituted for tho
tam-o.shanter set up a barrier that
did not yield at all as drew nearer.
AT the last moment. as I crossed the
track and stepped upon tho other plat.
form, 1t occurred to mo that while
might have some claim upon the at
tention Of Olivia Gladys Armstrong. a
hayward school girl of athletic tastes,
/ had none whatever upon person
whom It was proper to address as
Miss Armstrong-whow was. felt sure,
quite capable Of snubb,ng me II snub-
bling fell in with her mood
She glanced toward me and bowed
instantly, and her young companions
withdrew to a conservative distance.
will say this for the students at st.
Asatha's, Annandale: Their manners
are beyond criticism. and an affable
discretion is one Of their most sdmira-
BILE traits.
Il didn't know they ever grew up
so fast--in day aud a night"
was glad remembered the num-
Der Of beads in her chain; the item
seemed at once to become important
ITS the air. suppose. It's praised
by excellent critics." she laughed.
But you are going to an ampler
ether. a diviner air. You have at.
tanned the beatiflc state and at once
take flight II they confer perfection
like an academic degree at st. Ag.
atha's, then"
l had never felt so stupidity helpless
in my life. Thore were q thousand
things wished to say to her; there
we're countless questions | wished to
ask; but her calmness and poise were
disconcerting. Her eyes met mine
easily; their azure depths puzzled me-
She was almost, but not quite, some
one | had seen before, and 1t was not
my woodland Olivia. Her eyes, the
sofe curve of her cheek, the light in
her hair--but the memory OF another
time. another place, another girl, lured
only to battle me.
laugh.
III never tell if you won't" she
said
But don't see how that helps me
with your
1T certainly does not! That Is a
much more serious matter, Mr.. Glen
arm"
And the worst Of 1t Is that
haven't a single thing to say for my.
self It wasn't the not knowing that
was SO utterly dull"
Certainly not 1t was talking that
ridiculous twaddle. 1t was trying to
fiirt with a silly school girl. What
will do for Is is somewhat vacuous
for"
She paused abruptly. colored and
laughed.
Il am 27!"
"And l am just tie usual age" she
said.
Ages don't count, but time is i'm.
portant. There are many things
wish you would tell me-you who hold
the key Of the gate Of mystery"
Then you'll have to pick the lock-"
She laughed lightly. The somber
Sisters patrollirg The platform with
their charges needed us little.
Il had no idea you knew Arthur
Pickering-when you were just Olivia
In the tam-o'shanter.'
Maybe you think he wouldn't have
cared for my acQuantance-as Olivia
in the tam-o'- shanter. Men are very
queer"
But Arthur Pickering Is an old
friend of mine"
$50 he told me-"
We we're nelghbcrs in our youth"
II believe l have heard him mention
it,"
And we did our prep school to-
gether. and then parted"
you tell exactly the same story. so
it must be true. He went to college
and you went to Tech"
And you knew him" began
my curiosity thoroughly aroused.
mot at college any more than
knew you at Tech"
THE trains coming" said earn
estly. land wish you would tell me-
when l shall see you again!"
Before We part for ever?" There
was mischievous hint Of the Olivia
in short skirts IN her tone.
please don't suggest It! Our times
have been strange and few. There
was that first night when you called
to me from the lake"
How impertinent! How dare you
remember that?"
And there was the snow storm and
at the chapel porch last night. Meth
er you nor had the slightest business
there. But you spoke as though you
understood what you must have heard,
and you say you know Arthur Picker
ing. 1t is important for me to know
l have right to know just what you
meant by that warning"
Real distress showed In her face for