Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-11-06


full. with lively blue eyes
9J chestnut hair and tall. slen-
der. willowy figure. The romance and
excitement OF her meeting with Karl
made her seem doubly beautiful. and
she gladdened the artist In him, but
be helplessly confessed 10 himself that
she made no impression on his heart
His thoughts were with Olga, and lie
was distracted almost TO the point of
rudeness, while Elsa tried 10 talk
with him.
"Who is that terribly rude person
who seems to be frightening every
one" she asked.
He? Oh. that is DR.. Millar. a friend
Of NINE" Karl replied.
Pooh! | don't see why every one
seems so afraid Of him." Elsa said,
with a note of challenge in her tone.
II think ! shall meet him just to see II
be will make me- run"
NO. no; don't go near him." Karl
begged.
And why not: Has he such sharp
tongue or an evil. mind? can take
care Of myself"
~ don't really think you ought TO
meet him." Karl said. but be spoke
without conviction. He suddenly yield
ed to a curiosity to see what might
come Of a meeting between Elsa and
Aillar.
II don't care; I'm going to hunt him
up," she cried, jumping up and scam
pering Of.
Millar had gone into an anteroom
leading out into the beautiful gardens.
A number Of the company had assem-
bled there as he entered. and 1t was
obvious from the instant silence which
snsued that he had been the subject Of
their discussion. This seemed to graf
ify his cynical humor, and be looked
the assembled men and women. society
puppets, over with cynical grin. Elsa
was among them, and toward her NIL
lar bowed as he said
Il never knew this number Of ladies
could be 30 silent. presume during
my absence you have been discussing
me kindly"
The others did not speak. but Elsa
turned boldly to MIlar.
Don't fatter yourself that l am
afraid Of YOU" she said. 81 would say
to your face what these people only
dare think. Indeed, was just going
to look for you"
ut is just as well you are here. They
might discuss you and your approach
Ing betrothal with Karl Millar said.
"You--you known Elsa cried in as
tonlshment.
The others seemed tremendously in
terested at the information Millar had
impaired, aud Elsa was embarrassed
She knew the design Of her friend
Olga In bringing her and Karl togeth-
er, but she was not aware that 1t was
known to any one else. Millar smiled
as he replied:
"Of course They would throw you
into his arms"
While the others who overheard
laughed at this sally and Elsa blushed
furiously. Millar went close to her and
said:
II must speak to you alone. l will
send these people away. Leave it to
me-"
Elsa drew away. and there was a 81
lence in the room. The others began
to feel uncomfortable as Millar looked
slowly from one to the other Of them
One or two essayed conversation, and
his cutting, insolent replies sent them
scurrying from the room. In a few
moments only he and Elsa remained
in the apartment. From the adjoining
ballroom came the strains Of music
and the sound Of dancing and brigh,
laughter. Millar looked at Elsa.
'Now they are gone" he said.
"Are you not surprised that did MOI
60 alsoT she asked. you Offended
me, you know, but stayed because
want to talk with you"
"How charming" Millar said. witt
gentle sarcasm
Perhaps you know my nickname
Saucy Elsa?" said the girl warningly.
''Oh. yes"
Then you should know that you
Chesterfeldian manners embarras
me-" Elsa said impatiently az Milla
bowed again before her. II have sc
lected you to deliver most impuden
message. to that crowd in there be
cause you are 30 perfectly impolite."
II am entirely at your disposal, ma
demoiselle"
How can l be impudent, though
when you are SO polite to me-? sh'
cried petulantly.
Shall we end the conversation
them
"Oh. no: not yet" Elsa cried, embar
rassed Then she went on, with deter
minatiOn, when you came in here 70,
raid was the girl they were going t
throw into Karl's arms"
II did"
But you did not say that I am tn
girl who permits herself to be throw
Into Karls arms. Am right?"
Eyes"
"Please sit down." Elsa went OF
recovering her self poise. which tn
battling politeness of Millar had dil
turbed.
He declined the chair with a gestur,
but she insisted.
II feel much more commandin
when l stand, and I want every &C
vantage" she said. 81 want to sc
you right, and 1t will be much easie
when you sit down and l stand"
Smiling, Millar sat down and locke
up at her expectantly. Slightly COZ
fused, she went on:
II don't want people making fun q
me before Smy face. l know every
fhin1 Dn make mvaelf claar2 Yo