Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-02-26
Nan s e
Experiment.
By CECILY ALLEN.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

''The foundations of our social sys-
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.
81 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 a thoughtful frown.
"Now, take that young Italian fore
man Of yours, for instance! 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 motor car and he
would pass muster in our set shoulder
90 shoulder with you"
81 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 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 a 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 contended, 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 Nj
"Have you the courage of your con-
victions? Are you willing to put your
theory to the test? Will you let me
invite my foreman here as an equal.
provided, OF course, that l 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
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 lit would not be fair to
turn him loose on our unsuspecting
guests without some training). and then
| will wager you diamond sunburst
against crocbeted tie that you ask
me to put him out of the house before
the week is tip"
Mans glance Travelled once more
across the expanse of green lawn
The 1.-THE figure OF the Italian was
just disappearing behind clump of
shrubbery. Well. in appearance. at
least, he could do the house of Darn
ton no discfa;iit. Anyhow, why should
a girl who was planning settlement
work for the fall shrink at the thought
Of having ore Cease" 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 APP
preciative eyes.
"Let him Conner she answered, with
assumed nonchalance and-there was
no denying it-something of pleasure
that she was to meet again the 0lanca