Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-05

himself demonstrating at the palmencirced doors
There, standing in the green frame, hestant, like
shy rose about to open, trembled the paror maid
while behind her, tall, stately, if peering into
paradise, loomed the lady Of the dough
The earl drew his breath in sharply as Japanese
do who wish to show more than homage. Suddenly
he felt a hand upon his shoulder. He turned aud
looked into the pale. swarthy face of his friend
My Cod! said Bobby. what are they doing
here!'
The ear's face took on that hard stern expression
which his fellow-guardsmcn had learned to fear and
respect.
II say, old man"-Portchcstcr spoke with dclibera.
tom don't care whether she's a paror maid
manicure, wife widow. She's the finest
woman in this room and they're frightened and alone.
I'm going to speak to them
The Englishman knew what his decision meant
social ostracism, blot upon his fair name, an
insult to the club Of which he a guest and a
slap in the face of Senator Sumner, his friend But
he frightened his hand, as if upon his sword, and
went
Bobby LitchGeld did not follow lie was chivalrous.
but not mad Besides he was at home Instead he
fastened his eyes again in stercoscopic gaze upon
Polly. the blonde. He trying pierce the vcil
of memory. Where had he seen her beforet Sud.
denly, at the moment that the Earl of Portchoster
bowed low before the brunette maid he remembered.
Such his joy that he tilted his head back and
laughed like schooboy. The abandoned man i'm
medatey became the cynosure of surprised shocked,
envous, and even a few sympathetic eyes. TO dare
to be natural at the Hunt Ball clinched ones aris-
tocracy. Mrs. BradlcyTownsend notced-frowned-
curious, and then beckoned. Bobby hurried to
her side.
Miss Brown"-his lordshp's heels came together
with military click--"I did not e1pect-I am de
lighted don't you know May escort you to seat"
Men who had started to the doorway stopped as
the clubs guest bent before the most bewtchng
girl in the room. If it had been of their
they would have crowded him out if they could. But
Edith carmned, hestated and threw appealing
glance her tall friend
oh, Polly.' she whispered.
But when the Earl of Portchester stood high and
looked her straight in the face with eyes in which
rcckcssness courage, and tenderness batted for the
mastery, then she knew what he had done and what
it meant to him She put her hand upon the English
mans arm. and with look of command to her friend,
bowed assent.
Where shall I take you" Lord Darnell asked
gently.
"Do YOU see Mr. Iitchfed talking to that fat lady?
Take us to him Edith could not help it, The Earl
Epaled, and strobe
After his formal bow, Bobby sank into the seat be-
side Mrs. BradeyTownsend and whispered to her, AT
first she looked inCredulous CHANGING the trio adj
vancng slowly down the full length Of the ballroom,
and then she smiled.
Edith" she purred in return, lis perfect witch.
I don't how Polly Fairchild countenanced her.
And the Earl Of Portchester:"
Hush He thinks her parlor maid
Edith Slagmore-a parlor maid The richest
heress in Pttsburg? Delicious Mrs. Bradley
Townsend chuckled. why keep it up little
longer:'
1t would serve her right" laughed Bobby. she
almost fooled me
The three stood before the two-the girls little
defiant. with heads high the earl as stiff
rod, and uncomprOmsing.
oh, Polly I'm glad you've come at last 1t
was nice Of you to bring your maid STAND oehlhd my
chair Brown"
Mrs Bradey-Townsend threw into the command her
the full purport of the joke struck her in the face.
She had sown and here was the reaping-
ALLOW to present my. old friend. the Earl of
Portchester. Mrs Townsend Bobby had slipped be-
side the stately blonde rs he made his Introduction
And may stand behind your chair with Miss
Rrown?" asked the Earl. Without waiting for
ply he took step backward, ranging himself beside
the girl, in whom humiliation and pride battled with
her strong sense of humor. Mrs Bradley-Townsend
momentarily disconnected. To her an earl could
commit no social fdur pas The solemn Englishman
did notice her twinkle as she bowed cold assent.
YOU know Mr. Litchheld Polly was the way in
which she masked the discontinue that her joke on
Edith slasmore was not as successful as She had
hoped
but Bobby looked shameessy into Poy's eyes.
How you have grown" he said. You used to be
an awfulIy pretty girl" The goddess bit her lip.
And | terribly fond of YOU when you We're
kid. Don't you remember me?'
Then Bobby Iitchied wondered for second how
to 90 on. But you almost did fool me-" he added.
Il say. do you know that | think Darnel is Car
ncge mcdaist? Don't look ut them" lie caught
the flicker of the blue eyes that had the color of
iris and the power of cnChautment.
T. Il did-ycs, knew YOU all the time That's the
reason Edith and II have never forgotten how you
Wont you take my armE' Bobby asked quietly
Its very here
But when they had passed through the billiard
seats by the first tee Bobby bent and said softly and
very distinctly:
The Brushwood Boy has found what he waiting
for Are YOU sorry?'
But within the cuirassed breast of the son Of Eng
lands hraVest a heart beating madly. He could
not stand forever like a statue of tootman beside
maid. lie east furtye look at the face below
him. 1t burned pink.
Miss Brown he whispered
Il am not Miss Brown" she said distinctly, SO that
her ponderous chapcrone heard, and quverod with IN
"E6? I say'-cxclaimcd his lordshn. is that 4
bally American joke: Not Miss Brown: say who
Edith! Stand in front of me-" Mrs Bradley Town
send commanded.
rirl-"iS n