Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-06-05
lCoNTINUED.1

ulSmdl MT. van der Awe, true TO his
principles on realism, forgot about the
wig and committed the indiscretion of
kissing the bird plump upon her tempt
ing lips. whereupon the ruffled in
genue gave him a most realistic box
on the ears, forgot her lines and start
ed in on an inpromptu but spontaneous
denunciation. This. In measure,
made Miss Renwyck's subsequent part
fall fat, but no one In the audience
seemed to know the difference, while
both the man and bird agreed after
ward that it improved the play.
If Miss Renwyck failed to be Impress
I've in the great denunciation scene,
the same could not be said of her per-
sonal appearance. She was dressed In
an evening gown Of soft. dull black,
which brought out the snowy white
ness of her throat and arms. In her
thick dark tresses a great tiara glow
cd and spar&led, rivaling, 1t seemed,
the riviere of splendid gems about her
neck. while at her breast blazed q
mammoth brooch. Fashioned in the
form of an eagle with outstretched
wings, shimmering blaze of light. the
proud bird stood as an emblem of its
country's wealth and daring, perched
on the bosom of princess of the free.
To Richard. In his present state Of
mind, Harriet seemed the most ra-
dainty perfect creature yet produced
since the world began. AS she bowed
behind the tootlights for the second
a.
bouquet of American Beauties was
tossed upon the stage, and Miss Har-
riet blushed as she stopped for this
most opposite tribute to her own
charms. When safely behind the cur
tains she glanced at q card attached.
which bore two words, IAN Ameri-
can" This signature was vague. yet
somehow Miss Renwyck picked the
donor out from myriads Of gentlemen
who might better have claimed the
title. and again she blushed as she
buried her face among the fragrant
buds.
"How splendid of hlmv' she whis-
pered to her roses. "If only he had
been my cowboy perhaps
But the rest was secret which the
roses never told.
One by one the guests departed. but
not till the last of them was driven
away on the gravel road did Richard
find an opportunity for a word alone
with his ladylove. He was seated in
a darkened nook on the front veranda.
sheltered from the light by thick wis
taria vines. He had lighted cigar
and was dreaming. as he smoked. Of
how beautiful she was, when suddenly
he caught the swishing sound of skirts,
and she took q wicker rocker by his
side.
Lord Croyland," she murmured
softly, Il knew 1t was you by the smell
Of your cigar"
Richard was not a connoisseur as re-
CARDS tobacco, and he wondered idly
If the real Lord Croyland's favorite
brand was up to the standard of this
doubtful compliment. Miss Harriet
continued:
"Tm glad l found you alone, for
want to thank you for these" She
held her sheaf of roses toward him.
1T was dear of you to send them. and
1t pleased me more than l can say"
Nonsense" he laughed. mo flower
that ever grew is worthy of you. That
sounds foolish. l suppose. for many
people must have said the same be-
fore, but mean it simply. honestly"
THANK you" she said softly. and
both for time were silent.
Miss Harriet" he ventured present
ly. you are beautiful tonight" He
checked her pleased laugh and contin-
ued earnestly. II don't mean that you
are not beautiful always. but | have
never seen you in black before. and
"How absurdw she smiled. II shall
soon begin to think you like all the
rest, fatterer-just fiatterer"-
mo, no." he protested warmly; ut is
more than that. believe me. | want to
carry away with me forever the mem
DRY of you as you looked tonight. /
must leave soon. I'm going home"
Back to EngandT" she asked. a
tremor in her voice.
mo. to Texas"
"What?"
Richard caught himself just in time,
"Well-er-well, you see." he STAN
mered, you have turned me into such
a good American that | think of your
country now as being quite my own.
| lived down there for nearly a year,
you know, and now-and now business
calls me back again"
Once more they were silent for a
little space.
"And are you not coming north
again?" she asked him nervously
1T depends" said Richard the
Brazen. smiling into the wistaria vine
Listen, Miss Harriet want to ask
you something. No. it isn't n question
1t is only a flower. would like to
take just one of those roses to a COW.
boy down In Texas | will find him
If can. and know it will make him
| happier than ANYTHING alsa in oil fhe