Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-16
6hs Winning of
 EdmOnia. By JANET CHRISTINE STEPHENS.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
 Literary Press.

, neTe was nothing or tne knlynt CT
 ,ant about Percivale Bonney In the
 thoughts of Edmonia Turner. thoughts
 which invariably formed the drowning
 background to Percivalc's waking
 hours. ha was discouragingly and mod ernly lnotfens!rc
 She had once stated succinctly, as
 was Edmonla's way, that the only thing about him that remotely suggest. ed standing up for itself was the COW. lick at the back of Il square and other wise irreproachably groomed head The subject of this rather doubtful ap- proval was secretly encouraged in the belief that the cowlirk indicated an aggressive spirit which seemed 10 be the heroic attribute in the imagination of Edmona's set.
 Edmonia's faintly appreclatve re mark had been inspired in her moth CTS attic during the rummaging of a rain bound house party, when. upon mail, Percivale had pulled it out from under the caves and had fallen speed fly to calculating how many chain dishcloths it would have made for Mrs Turner's carefully ordered kitchen
 This was too much for Edmonia. A man who could evolve dishcloths from the fabric of romance must be lacking in the most rudimentary instincts of chivalry. It counted for naught with her that Percivale Bonney was evinc- ing a business ability that made his father prouder every day or that she had never had a rival in his loyal de votion to her
 She dreamed of the clash of armor and the risks of ioust and tourney, a knight who should perform feats of arms for her sake and rescue her. if need be, from tyrant's might. In the free whoesomeness of American so- ciety the tyrant had not appeared, and to do Edmonia justice she really did care great deal for Percivale's allegiance, only she desired a more daring proof.
 It was therefore incumbent upon this thoroughly consistent young lady that she steel her heart against the pleas ing picture which tall, broad shoul- dered, gray clad figure, hat off and light hair tossing i'll the breeze made against morning sky on the first day of one of his cratic autumnal visits near her country home
 She accordingly let her disdainful glance dwell upon his offensively rud- dy cheek and ignored his unaffected stare of aStonishment at her modern eQuipage, a brilliantly red automobile at standstill upon the country road
 What, ho, Rebecca!' he greeted her when within speaking distance of where she sat ill the crimson ram- bier, Armed cap-a-pie I see. Is the drawbridge down?"
 Edmonia smiled tolerantly and gave him her hand
 But why finger so far from the paternal castle? Has thy gentle pal frey gone lame?"
 Edmonia glanced suggestiyely back along the highway. I'm waiting for friend" She said it with conviction.
 The dusty road stretched in two long, undertaking lines in either direction. No one was in sight. Percivals gaze abandoned its quest and returned sus- piciously to the crimson rambler. Could l." he asked anxiously, figure in that capacity?"
 She reddcned in turn, then scanned him critically. Perhaps She was still rather doubtful of his capabilities. Mentally scorning as inexcusable de- yotion to his business which had made him hitherto ignore the automobile craze he fattened himself out after the manner of the ardent automobiliSt under her car and confided his despair to her tonneau.
 It was bad enough not to be roman tic. but rot to be even useful was un bearable. He had not the slightest idea of how to start the machine. He crawled out from under the machine and mounted to the drivers seat
 Her sudden accession of trust, in spired by his businesslike manner, pro voked him to fresh endeavor. He made a great show of moving brakes. tight ening useless screws and peering into the machine while she scanned the scenery.
 Whatever he finally did to that auto mobile to start it Perciya.e does not know Suddenly it slid out of the shade into the road like bird from under his hand, Aha" he cried, with an assurance that he was far from feeling. T thought so"'
 He held a trembling hand upon the wheel and answered irrelevant ques- tionS at regular intervals. They were now gliding along between hedgcrOws of gorgeous autumn color. He began to feel more at ease. Edmonia hum- med little sing as old as it was sweet:
 The rose that all are praisng
 Is not the rose for me.
 He lOOked At her ana III tnat LOOK forgot his new responsibility She WAS gazing steadily down tine dusty turn pike. little smile upon her lips, aE though she would see the knight of her dreams in plumed helmet and shining armor riding to bear her away.
 He couldn't catch us." said PerCi- vale in response to her thought. She started and looked with more interest at her companion. He had spoken in the confidence that Is born of ignO-