Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-09-18
Nan s -
Experiment.
By CECILY ALLEN.
By CECILY ALLEN.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

1.-THE foundations Of our social sys-
tenn are rotten to the core!' announced
Nan, leaning forward in the great
wicker chair to watch the progress of
the little Italian across the velvety
lawn.
Her brother Bob sank even more
deeply In his own cushioned chair and
studied the smoke curling upward from
the tip Of his very good cigar.
"I told Uncle Henry this would be
the inevitable result OF sending you to
a western coed college. The social
system here is quite good enough for
me-"
Mans broad forehead was puckered
In thoughtful frown.
"Now, take that young Italian fore
man Of yours, for instancel What
puts him IN a different class from you?
The fact that his father had not
enough money to feed his big family
and your father had too much money
for the good of his two children"
Really" remarked Bob, with eyes
dancing, 81 never noticed any COM
plants from you about superfuity of
cash."
"Give that man Fifth avenue tai
lor, valet and a motor car and he
would pass muster in our set shoulder
10 shoulder with you"
II don't know about that" pursued
Bob. HE might eat with his knife
"Not after he had been told it was
wrong" said Nan, with conviction.
Suppose he were wearing corduroy
for shooting instead Of digging exca-
vations. Suppose he were wearing
shirt sleeves on a tennis court or the
links instead Of in your employ. He
would be gentleman, one Of your
equals He would look not a whit
different from what he does today, but
we would accept him socially where
today we regard him as our inferior
Bob cast amused glances at cor
ner In the porch roof where two birds
were busily building nest among the
vines. "And this is the modern wo-
mantle effect Of the higher educa-
tion," he murmured.
1t might have been the birds, cooling
and commended, or it might have just
been the love of mischief which some
men never outgrow even when, like
Robert Darnton, they can count iron
gray hairs by the score above each
temple. At any rate, he sat up very
suddenly and determinedly and regard
ed his sister quite seriously.
"Have you the courage Of your con-
vfcttons? Are you willing to put your
theory to the test? Will you let me
invite my foreman here as sn equal,
provided, Of course, that / secure the
stipulated Fifth avenue tailoring, the
man and the motor?'
Good gracious, Bob, you move so
suddenlyw suggested Nan.
mo time like the present, and 1 in
sist that any one who attacks our So
cial system should prove its rottenness
when she has the opportunity. l will
invite my foreman here as a guest ]
Will agree that he is properly coached
for his part ut would not be fair to
turn him loose on our unsuspecting
guests without some training), and then
will wager you a diamond sunburst
against crocheted tie that you ask
me to put him out of the house before
the week is up"
Mans glance Travelled once more
across the expanse of green lawn.
The 1.-the figure Of the Italian was
just disappearing behind a clump Of
shrubbery. Well. in appearance, at
least he could do the house Of Darn
ton no discredit Anyhow, why should
girl who was planning settlement
work for the fall shrink at the thought
Of having one lease" in her home for
few days? She would have to live
among them-in the fall!
'Well?" inquired Bob, watching her
lovely, changeable expression with ap-
preciative eyes.
LET him comew she answered. with
assumed nonchalance and-there was
no denying it-something Of pleasure
that she was to meet again the glance
Of the Italians wondrous brown eyes.
Standing on the lower step Of the
porch, he had looked veritable young
god. "Only you are not to tell him
that the idea, the theory, Is mine"
So did Vincenzo Pantozz join the in
nermost circle Of the social set graced
by the Darntons-came also a rakish
yellow racer Of foreign make, man
versed in all the mysteries Of the tai
loring world, and a wardrobe which
was a credit at least to Bob Darnton's
generosity.
On one point Vincenzo stood firm.
He must be permitted to leave the
house every morning in time to join
bis workmen who were building. the
marvellous italian garden at the lower
end Of the estate. If the fair chate-
laine often shared his early breakfast,
her zeal as a sociological student was
to her command.
Barring q few times when VincenZo
gripped the wrong table utensil In his
nervousness or dropped his spoon or
fork, he did very well at table, and
there was no need of dread on the part
Of his hostess when the elaborate week
end dinner was scheduled.
at is marvellous what initiative crea-
lures we all are" she observed men
tally one morning She had ordered
the early breakfast served on the side
porch, and the scent Of honeysuckle
was all over.
And then Vincenzo, looking up,
caught something did not know
just what-in her calm gray eyes and