Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-05-07

{ 81 .gs.
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she heSitdted mOdCStly UhGn she sac us
lOlp cut
Marie Ruurgttie was accustomed 10
She pondered long and hesitated
modestly when she saw its low CUT
which exposed her neck and shoulders
In a Totally unaccustomed manner. Tor
il struck her as amazingly indecent
until she scurried through her maya
zines again and saw that its construc-
ton, as compared with others, was
most conservative. Even so she shranE
at sight of herself below the line or
sunburn, for she was ringed about Ike
blue winged teal, the demarcation
being more pronounced because of the
natural whiteness Of her skin. She
sat down, dress and all. in the thick
softness Of great brown bearskln
and thought it over.
How odd it was, now that she con-
sidered it, that she needed no aid with
these alien garments; that she knew
instinctively their every feature; that
there was no intricacy to cause her
more than an instant's trouble.
She was interrupted in her reverie
by the passing Of a shadow across her
window and the stamp of mans feet
ON the planks at the door. Of course
II was Poleon. who had come back to
see her. So she rose hastily, gave one
quick glance at the mirror above her
washstapd, choosing the side that dis
torted her image the least. and. hear
ing him still stamping, perfunctorily
called:
Come in! I'll be right out"
She kicked the train into place be-
hind her. looping the shawl carelessly
about her in a way to veil her modesty
effectively. She crossed proudly to the
reading table to give him Il fair view
Of her splendor and was in the mid
die of the room before she looked up
Taken aback. she uttered little stran-
gled cry and made a quick movement
of retreat. only to check herself and
stand with her chin high in the air
while wave after wave of color swept
over her face.
Great lovely dove" CALCULATED Bur
rell fervently. staring at her.
ooh, IL thought you were Poleon
He In spite of herself she glanced
toward her room as if to flee. She
writhed at the utter absurdity of hel
appearance andsknew the lieutenant
must be laughing at her. But flight
would only make it worse. Burreli
however, was not laughing.
81 was looking for your father ht
said. wondering if this glorious thing
could be the quaint half breed girl Of
Yesterday. There was nothing OF the
native about her now, for her litht
Young figure was drawn up to its
height. and her head. upon which the
long black braids were coiled, wa!
tipped back in a naughty poise Sht
had flung her hands out to grasp TIT
table edge behind her. forgetful OF be-
shawl, which dropped traitorously ant
showed such rounded lines as her or
binary dress scarce limited at This
was no Indian maid. the soldier vowed
No blood but the purest could pulse IL
such veins; no spirit save the highes
could fash in such eyes as these.
Jealous rancor irked him at TIT
! thought of this beauty intended To-
the Frenchman's eyes.
Cant you show yourself to me a
well as to Poleon?" he said.
Certainly not" she declared. III
bought this dress for me, and put l
on to please him. After he sees it
will take it off, and
"Don't-don't take it off-ever." sail
Burrell. 81 thought you were beauti
full before because Of your qualntnes
and simplicity, but now'-his ches
swelled-"why, this is breath from
! home. You're like my sister and TIL
girls back in Kentucky, only NOR
wonderful"
Gam II she cried eagerly. Am
like other girls? Do really look as
I'd always worn clothes like these"
Born TO them" said he.
Her warmth and unaffected franR
ness suffused him as she stood ou'
turning to show the beauties OF he
gown her brown hands futterin
TREMENDOUSLY as she talked.
ats my first party dress, you know
and I'm as proud Of it as Molly is
her rubber boots. It's too big in her
and too small right there. That gil
must have had a bad chest. But OIL
erwise it fits me as if it had bee
made for me, doesn't it? And tb
shoes-aren't they the dearest things
Sect" She held her skirts back, sho"
ing her two feet side by side. he
dainty ankles slim and shapely in thel
silk
"They don't wear as well as mecca
sins" Both laughed delightedly till b
broke in impulsively:
ooh, girl. don't you know how beau
tiful you areY'
"Of course do" she cried. imitatin
his change Of voice, then added naive
~ MThat's WHY hate to take 1t on. "