The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-06-13
BAsHFUL YET FEARLESS.

should have been terribly annoyed.
There was sitting on the floor oi
the nursery with hair tumbled, my
face red, and great rent across the
front of my shirt, where it had been
caught by nail few minutes before
during fierce blindman's buff scrim-
mage.
Ny little sister Alice was having
a party and of course 1 had to assist
in entertaining the guests. There
were just twelve, seven boys and five
girls. When John Benton tapped at
the door I said "come in" carelessly
supposing it was one of the servants.
II beg your pardon, Miss Latour.
They said 1 should find you here.
But perhaps I have made some mis-
take"
"Not at all. Mr.. Benton" said l,
as I scrambled to my feet. 1--WE are
pleased to see you. Sit down on-on
the piano stool. The chairs have
been taken into the other room. We
have been playing blind mans buff. "
"I-I received this invitation, I"
went on Mr.. Benton, taking an en-
velope from his pocket.
The gilt-edged card within read
"Miss Latour requests the pleasure
of your company on Tuesday, Decem-
Der 2o, at five o'clock. I"
I looked reproachfully at my seven
ear-old sister, Alice. She had sent
one of the printed invitations, in
which the printer had neglected to
insert the name "Alice," to John
Benton, and the great BOBBY had tax
en- it for granted that 1 was the Miss
Latour, so he had come in full dress
"a nice contrast to my torn dress and
disheveled hair.
I did not care much what said to
John Benton. Ever since I had met
him at the Warren's ball, three
months ago, my brothers all decided
that he was in love with me, but was
bashful to tell me so.
Not that he was backward where
men were concerned. My brother
Will took me to the Stock Exchange
one morning, and saw John Benton
with his hat on the back of his head,
grasping a brass railing with one hand
and shaking the other, holding some
papers in the face of savage look
ing man, and shouting at him at the
top of his voice in the most defiant
manner.
But Mr.. Benton was not thinking
about the market as he walked over
to the piano stool in his dress coat and
white necktie, and sat there with one
of the most sheepish smiles ever saw
on young mans face.
"Now, Lou, you must sit down on
the floor again, so that we can play
forfeits. And you, too, Mr.. Benton.
cefvhzf & rsajd Alliitesease4 Alliiteseas sSs .zsSs
at me.
Most of the penalties were in the
shape of kisses, and felt nervous un-
til my turn came. Alice held forfeits
over the head of a particular friend of
hers, a girl of her own age and it was
her duty of the latter to say when
what should be done with the owner
of the article. There was my hand
kerchief held up threateningly.
am ashamed to say that my heart
beat quickly when Alice repeated the
familiar nursery jargon, and it fairly
jumped when she with mischevious
glance at Mr.. Benton and myself
stepped and whispered to her friend.
Then she went on with the question
"What shall be done with the own
err"
Clear cut and distinct came the an
swer
"She shall kiss Mr.. Benton"
"Oh, it's Lou--it's Lou?" shouted
Alice.
There was silence as everybody ex-
cept Mr.. Benton looked at me to see
the operation performed, a baby voice
at my side said:
"I'll tiss him for you, Lou."
So Stella climbed up to Mr.. Ben
toms neck, with one of her hands on
his white shirt front, and, as she said
herself:
''I tissed him right on the mouf,
and it TITLED my nose !"
IT did not want to play at forfeits
any longer-it was too dangerous, so
I proposed that we should all sing"
"Ess, 1 tan sing. know lots of
songs"
Eyes, Stella, let us hear you sing
one all by herself"
So she commenced deliberately:
"Little birdie, on-the-tree Ga long
breath) on-the-tree (another long
breath) on.the-tree !"
Then she stopped, and with a
naughty disregard of the desires or
opinions of her audience that would
have been worthy of petted prima
donna, turned carelessly round on Mr..
Benton's knee and looked out of the
window, while the company awaited
her pleasure.
ooh, loot-loot at the big birdie
on the tree out of the window" she
said, suddenly, pointing downward
toward where I knew tall tree grew
close to the house.
Mr.. Benton was apparently startled
by this evidence of Stella's keen vi
sion, for I saw him jump as his eyes
followed the direction Of her finger.
He controlled himself at once, how
ever, as he replied quickly:
81 think that is the shadow Of a
cloud in the moonlight and not a bir-
die, Stella
mo, no, saw birdie on the tree, !"
she persisted.
He put her down and she ran over
to me. As I took her on my lap
I heard the door close, and saw that
John Benton had disappeared.
"I want some more sugar candy, !"
announced Stella, imperiously.
ST shall have to go downstairs for
it, Stella. It is all In the dining
eos1