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

newly dressed for the season. Like
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Lea @U blue dome the heavens curved over
U6@h green earth on whose breast the spires
v& E3U and roofs of Griggston shovel behind
v@ u ri shimmering wells Of foliage. Her hand
\ &&3F8 casped tightly in her mothers, Little
01O Mary skipped blithely all the way to
her grandparents.
The prospect Of seeing their beloved
faces, OF rambling over their spacious
house and grounds always reason,
sufficient to . joyous expectancy;
but this morning, in addition to these familiar pleas
ures, Little Mary eagerly looking forward
showing these parents her first colored dress
She looked down repeatedly at the block plaid whose
straight waist and gathered skirt gave her the out
line OF dinner bell, wondering il they would know
her when The glores Of her costume burst upon
them. Two other facts increased her spirits. he
that hel mother, tower Of protection came
with her, cowing even the dog who barked at the
corner store The other, that her father would
return in few hours two weeks visit in
city where they all three to live. He
the tallest, greatest most wonderful person
the whole wide world. Naturally, the shone
and hearts bubbed over the day of his home
coming. 1t in of this event that mother
had made the plaid dress, in the consciousness of
this common JOY that their blue eyes were contin-
uay meeting, their pretty lips parting in happy
smiles.
Grandmother Gardners expressions Of astonish-
ment in the costume seemed, to eager Little
Mary long delayed. Their entrance the signal
for interminable grown-up conversation with the
mother, in which the child OWNED dimly that they
were speaking of the coming departure, Ethel Gard
ner in its defense Mother Gardner attacking it from
Every point
walter leaves a certain living here" she kept
repeating "for chimerca scheme.
Weary of waiting, Little Mary at last vcnturcd
@ pluck her sleeve and exhibit the plaid dress. In
.ardy atonement Mrs Gardner gathered her on her
"A colored dress! It's beautiful" She examined
ner daughterinaw's hem. You've really made it
very neatly, Ethel Yes pet, show it 10 grandfather
il YOU wish. He's with Adam in The garden.
The kitchen garden spring morning al
as beautiful as the grounds that surrounded
he house Little Mary tripped down the gravel
walk past III" barn and the hickon coop. TO the
tpot where grudfather directed old Adam, the. err
dener As far as their sex permitted, the old
men were - Impressed with the plaid gneham
rs Mary could have desired. Old Adam leaning on
his spade rccollected stories Il singer fese in Ger
many when he himself had been respondent. Grand
father oycrfowod with rerliniscence Of his first pair
of bright blue pantaloons, which he had the
long trip by river and stage that brought hin to
the unbrokcn praries Little Mary, her hand in his.
drank in their words as the soil drank in the me rn-
ing dew II was thus, in small circle suited to
her needs th-t her ideas of place and time expanded,
gently and slowly Her mind opened daily to
wonder ~ider conceptions of life Just as the now
ers trev and bush about them were opening leaf
after leaf in order and beauty.
The business opportunity that took Walter Gard
to the great city was, as his wife had urged to
his people. unusual Otherwise they would
not have felt justified In settling themselves even
temporarily in hotel expensive the Win
chester. Their stay there, they agreed should be
no 10 than the time necessary to find perma-
nent home aad their search for that abode was to
begin the moment Walter felt assured that he was
fixture In the life. Until that happy moment
hey must content themselves in the great hotel
whose softcarpcted corridors, perpetual electric
lights and rows OF numbered doors oppressed them
With sense OF unaccustomed strangeness and
loneliness
The mother and child spent their long days in
wandering simlessly about the halls and Office,
where women rocked the hours OF the morning
AWAY Or from some corner they timidly watched
he fortunate who rustled out to waiting auto
mobiles ready carry them, presumably, to dis
ant points OF delight. After luncheon which the
ong menu and their abundant leisure tempted them
to make elaborate. they would walk about strange
streets until dusk ended the day. Soon after ths
father returned the crowded bedroom, not little
nervous and weary little later they all three
faced the noise of the great dining ROOM where
above the din of the orchestra they shouted thei
family condolences
After the first week the mother and child begal
to distinguish the individual faces of the hote
guests and to look at certain tables with the expeca
ton Of finding familiar figures. Occasionally the!
caught the strangers names, and this gave then
the sensation of almost acquaintance. Mrs Mac
Lean and her little girl among the first the
identified. Twice day the lady would rustic rich
by their table, her handsome face and figure ant
extreme style OF dressing demanding admiration
and exactng remark In her wake came the ltl
girl in very short frock, her hair much ii2lleo
caught to ;he side by bow enormous it threat
ened the sight OF one eye. With an air OF perfec
assurance the child would bounce into her chair
settle her starChed skirts about ner. and spell on
the menu, 10 the laughing Arbitration OF the watei
Don't forget the sauce Espagnoe for my chops
Charley" she would shrIy warn the attendant
"And see that they hot do you hear?'
Little Mary watched this litt!e girl villa open at