The Prescott daily news., 1914-09-07

the stone gate 1 \lBS77 posts, and, the ml \HH dust thinning out WI & somewhat, Bar bara Westcott saw the low, raking lines of familiar roadcar
 Bob Wescott, her younger brother, his chair tilted back and his feet cooked up on the veranda's stone rail- ing, looked up from the book he was reading.
 Well well, here we are again." he observed, his keen eyes on the ap- preaching car. Getting pretty fre- quent, isn't it, Bab? I never thought he was your sort, though"
 He isn't" said the girl, with & sudden tightening of her lips.
 "Too blamed dignifled and all that sort of thing" Bob went on. "Imag- inc ever calling him Herm, Bab!"
 Little danger of that" said she tartly.
 Bartlett's attentions of late had been assuming a gravity and a frequency that could have but one meaning Bar bara wrinkled those pretty brows of hers harder as the motor swung up to the veranda steps
 Not intruding, Miss Barbara, I trust?' he said.
 "Oh, no. I'm glad you came"
 She held out her hand Bartlett had way of taking ones hand that was deference itself.
 Then you haven't any engagement for the afternoon?' he inquired.
 None whatever" said she.
 Its such a perfect day said he, "I thought perhaps you'd like to take a little turn in the car-say out Red field way. We could have a cup of tea at the Peach Tree inn"
 Barbara made a little grimace
 I'm awfully tired of the Peach Tree and all the other places like it. They're so fearfully, fearfully proper"
 Bartlett looked a little surprised at the outburst, but he said nothing.
 "Ill tell you what wish you would do" she rattled on. Take me down to Oak Grove park, will you? l dare you to do it!"
 Bartlett debated mentally.
 Tn the car?" he asked.
 "Car?" said she. of course not. On the trolley. We'll eat peanuts all the way down.
 She could hardly keep from chuck ling; Bartlett seemed so distressed.
 We couldn't get back until nine or so,' he demurred
 "Who cares? If you're afraid, never mind. I'll go alone Only, my heart is set on going to Oak Grove park this afternoon"
 "Of course I'll go" he interrupted. What time can we get a car?"
 Quarter past the hour in the square. I'll be ready in a minute"
 Oak Grove park is a noisy, garish place. There are the usual hair-rais- ing amusements, the usual crowd of vendors and fakers. and more or less hard-working pleasure-seekers.
 Barbara glanced at her escort out of the corner of her eye. He remind ed her of some stately cavalier going to a dog fight.
 Bartlett followed meekly wherever she led him. He bought the tickets and was just as stately upside down on the loops as he was anywhere else.
 Barbara, watching him, saw he was trying, in his own stiff way, to enter into the spirit of the occasion. What it must cost him she could well imag- inc And when he suggested, as they finished the last of the amusements, that they do them all over again, she relented.
 No, take me home, now" she said. rather shortly
 They alighted at the square He elbowed a way for her through the crowd and they turned into the quiet road that led up to her fathers big estate.
 The girl was very quiet She did not speak until they were well down the road and quite alone.
 I'm a little cat" she burst out self accusingly.
 "Huh?" said Bartlett, stopping short in his tracks, You're nothing of the sort. You're a jolly, whole-soTled. democratic little girl that can do as the Romans do when you happen to be with the Romans"
 Don't" she begged. You're the one that's fine. l know what it meant to you to go through what you did