Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-08-08
Nan s @
Experiment.
By CECILY ALLEN.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

Nan, leaning forward in the great
wicker chair to watch the progress Of
the little Italian across the velyety
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.
81 told Uncle Henry this would be
the inevitable result or sending you &c
n western coed college. The social
system here is quite good enough fol-
me-"
Mans broad forehead was puckered
IN thoughtful frown.
"Now. take that young Italian fore
man of yours, for instancel What
puts him in different class from youi
The fact that his father had moi
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 superhuity OF
cash"
"Give that man Fifth avenue tai
lor, a valet and a motor car and he
would pass muster in our set shoulder
to shoulder with you"
II don't know about that" pursued
Bob. "He might eat with his knife
"Not after he had been told 1t was
wrong" said Nan, with conviction.
Suppose he were wearing corduroy
for shooting instead Of digging eXca-
vatlons. Suppose he were wearing
shirt sleeves on tennis court or the
links instead Of in your employ. lie
would be a 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 a cor
ner I'm 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.
It might have been the birds, cooling
and contended, or 1t 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
victions? Are you willing to put your
theory TO the test? VIII you let me
Invite my foreman here as an equal
provided, of course, that | secure the
stipulated Fifth avenue tailoring, the
man and the motor?"
Good gracious, Bob. you move SO
suddenly suggested Nan.
mo time like the present, and l In
slst that any one who attacks our so
cial system should prove It's rottenness
when she has the opportunity. | vii
invite my foreman here as guest
will agree that he IS properly coached
for his part Qt would not be fair tc
turn him loose on our unsuspectlne
guests without some training, and ther
I will wager you a diamond sunbursi
against q 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, a
least, he could do the house of Darn
ton no discredlt. Anyhow, why shoult
girl who was planning settlemen
work for the fall shrink at the though
of having one case In her home 70
a few days? She would have TO liy'
among them-in the fall!
"Well?" inquired Bob, watching he
lovely. changeable expression with ap
preciative eyes.
"I,et him Gomez she answered, VIII
assumed nonchalance and-there wa
no denying it-sOmething of pleasur
that she was to meet again the glanc
Of the Italians wondrous brown eyes
Standing on the lower step OF tn
porch. he had looked a veritable youn
god. "Only you are not to tell hin
that the idea, the theory, Is mine.'
I So did Vincenzo Pantozzi join the In
nermOst circle Of the social set grace
by the Darntons-came also rakls
yellow racer of foreign make, n ma
versed in all the mysteries Of the tai
loring world. and a wardrobe whic
was q credit at least TO Bob Darnton
generosity.
On one point Vincenzo stood firm
He must be permitted to leave IN
house every morning In time to joi
his workmen who were building IN
marvellous italian garden at the lowe
end OF the estate. If the fair chat'
laine often shared his early breakfas
her zeal as sociological student wa
to her command.
Barring q few times when Nlncenz
gripped the wrong table utensll IN n
nervousness or dropped his spoon
fork. he did very well at table, an
there was no need Of dread on the pal
Of his hostess when the elaborate wee
end dinner was scheduled.
ut Is marvellous what initiative ere;
lures we all are" she observed mel
tally one morning. She had ordere
the early breakfast served on the SIC
porch. and the scent Of honeysuck
was all over.
And then Vlncenzo, looking u
caught something-he did not kno
Just what-in her calm gray eyes an
promptly proceeded 10 upset a SOU
pitcher of cream.
Every night Vincenzo came IN fro
+ha amhrvOnic Italian gardens 10