The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-26
By NJ. G.. ENGLAND.
Copyright, 1911. By Associated
Literary PressD

Copyright. 1911. By Associated
Literary Press)
Work is work. but picnics il only
picnics." summed up Aaunt Hep3ibah
tartly. I'm goin' to town and you'll
stay here and do that tronin'. DO don't
let's have another word about II"
Barbara Larsen stood, meek and
submissive, bravely holding back the
tears till her aunt's gaunt form had
turned down the road and disappear
ed trolleyward. Then she threw her
self down In the old rocker and sob
bed unrestratnedly.
She had told Jasper Burnham she
was going-Jasper, who had never
before mustered up courage to ask
her to go anywhere. And now he'd
think she was doing Ii on purpose
that she didn't care.
She rose at last. The ironing must
be done. But as she reached the
kitchen door some maynard impulse
turned her steps and forced her up
into her own tiny bedroom, where Ny
in all their dear. seductive glory her
best things that she had laid out
ready to wear. Sobs shook her anew
as she gazed at them. She moved
over to the bureau and opening the
bottom drawer took from II a shining
length Of ribbon that matched the
little rosebuds on her dress.
With a sudden impulse she began
to unlock the unbecoming brown
Bingham that Nas her invariable
weekday garb.
I'm try them on. ANYWAY" she Pc
solved.
cleaning around her waving brown
"a har xRifh
mournful satisfaction. She hadn't
known she could be 80 pretty. She
looked long1ngly out at the radiant
afternoon. Swinging down the road.
with furtive, bashful glances toward
the house, came Jasper. Barbara's
heart beat hard. Turning. she ran
down the stairway and out on the
vine-eoyered porch.
"I'll let him see / was ready, any
way" she thought defianty, land
then he'll think something happened
afterward."
Coming" he called
Barbara looked up the road and
saw the other girls chattering along
with their sweethearts. all bound for
the great picnic OF the year. Then
she looked again at Jasper. Shyness,
in the face OF all the advancing
crowd. was overpowering him He
mad turned to go. Barbaras heart
gave an agonized throb.
Yes" she called suddenly.
she ran down the path. through
the gate. and paused beside him.
Without word he started on, hands
plunged deep in his pocket. speech
less and overcome by his own dar-
ing. Barbara walked beside him with
downcast eyes. Presently. stealing a
NJ ~ 81
tears IN her face. A rush Of plying
indignation banished self-conscious-
ness for the moment.
Who's been hurting you?" he de-
manded
mo one" she denied.
Then what've you been crying
for?'
"Because-because aunt said /
shouldn't co., sire stammered.
sudden, terrifying sense Of what
she had done overwhelmed her. Then
the sound Of happy laughing voices
behind brought q wave of defiant ex-
ultation.
"what1i she do?" asked Jasper
shortly.
II don't know-don't let's think
about it," she begged.
But Jasper's mind chung to the sub
Ject
Darn herr" he burst forth. why
don't you leave? She's not your real
aunt. is she?"
No. but she took me when I was
little, and she's kept me and raised
me. and all for nothing"
For nothing. yes, and you've
worked like a slave for her. She
couldn't pay a hired girl to do what
you've DONE" avowed Jasper heat
eddy.
As silence fell his shyness returned.
He walked awkwardly. kicking at the
stones in his path or switching aim
lessly at the tall reedy growth by the
roadside. When they reached the
picnic ground q wide. cleared space
in the woods by q rushing stream, he
withdrew to 4 distance and Barbara
Joined . group Of chattering girls by
one Of tho SWINGS
He kept shyly apart from her dur
ing the afternoon, though his eyes
followed her everywhere with q dumb
worship. When twilight came and
they began to nock homeward in
chattering groups Of twos and threea.