Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-09-07

Ehtthle61 Penr0d, oazo0 by tno Sweep
ing Fanchon. had utterly forgotten the
amber curis. He had not once asked
Marjorie to dance. All afternoon the
jight OF indignation had been growing
brighter In her eyes, though Maurice
Levy's detection to the lady from New
York had not famed this flame. From
the moment Fanchon had whispered
familiarly In Penrod's ear and Penrod
had blushed Marjorie had been occu-
pied exclusively with resentment
against that guilty pair. 1t seemed to
her that Penrod had 10 right to allow
a strange girl to whisper In his ear.
that his blushing when the strange girl
did It was atrocious and that the
strange girl herself ought to be ar
rested.
Forgotten by the merrymakers, Mar
jorie stood alone upon the lawn, clinch-
Ing her small fists, watching the new
dance at its high tide and batting 1t
with q hatred that made every inch of
her tremble. And, perhaps because
jealousy is a great awakener Of the
virtues, she had perception Of some
thing In 1t worse than lack OF dignity
something vaguely but ourageously
reprehensible. Finally when Penrod
brushed by her, touched her with his
elbow and did not even see her, Mario
rie's state Of mind (nOt unmingled with
emoton) became dangerous. In fact
trained nurse CHANGING to observe her
at this juncture would probably have
advised that she be taken home and
put to bed. Marjorie was on the verge
of Mysteries.
She saw Fanchon and Penrod assume
the double embrace required by the
dance. The "Snngo Sligo Slide" burst
from the orchestra like the lunatic
shriek Of q gin maddened negro, and
all the little couples began to bob and
DIP and sway.
| Marjorie made q scene. She sprang
upon the platform and stamped her
foot
"Penrod Schoheldr' she shouted.
"You BEHAVE YOURSELF!
The remarkable girl took Penrod by
the ear. By his ear she swung him
| away from Fanchon and faced him to-
ward the lawn.
"You march straight out Of herer'
she commanded.
Penrod marched
He was stunned; obeyed automatical-
" without question and had very little
realization of what was happening to
him. Altogether and without reason
he was in precisely the condition Of an
elderly spouse detected In fragrant mis-
behavior. Marjorie similarly was In
precisely the condition Of the party
who detects such misbehavior. 1t may
be added that she had acted with q
promptness, a decision and disregard
of social consequences all to be COM
mended to the attention Of ladies In
like predicament
"You ought to be ashamed Of your
selfw she ragged when they reached the
lawn. aren't you ashamed Of your
selfT
what forY' he inquired helplessly.
you be QuietV'
"But what'd do, Marjorief I haven't
done anything to you," he pleaded. II
haven't even seen you all aftern"-
"You be quiet" she cried, tears fill
ing her eyes. Keep still, you ugly
boyI Shut upr'
She slapped him.
He should have understood from this
how much she cared for him, but he
rubbed his cheek and declared rue
fully:
"I'u never speak to you again.
You will toor' she sobbed passion
ately.
II will notl"
he turned to leave her, but paused.
His mother, his sister Margaret and
their grownup friends had finished
their tea and were approaching from
the house. Other parents and guar
dams were with them, coming for their
children, and there were carriages and
automobiles waiting In the street. But
the "slingo Slide" went on regard
less.
The group Of grown up people hesi'
tated and came to a halt, gazing at the
pavilion.
what are they doing" gasped Mrs
Williams, blushing deeply. what II
IT. What Is itY'
"What is it?" Mrs. Gelbraith echoed
In a frightened whisper. WHAT
They're tangoingr cried Margaret
Schofleld, "or bunny hugging or grizzly
bearing orr
They're only turkey trottng." said
Robert Williams.
With fearful outcries the mothers,
aunts and sisters rushed upon the pa,
vilion.
"Of course It was dreadful" said
Mrs. Schofield an hour later, rendering
her lord an account Of the day, "but
1t was every bit the fault Of that one
extraordinary child. And Of all the
quiet, demure little things-that Is.
mean when she first came. We all
spoke Of how exquisite she seemed-sc
we'll trained, so finished! Eleven years
old! l never saw anything like her IN
my lifeT'
II suppose It's the New Child" hel
husband grunted.
"And to think Of her saying there
sught to have been champagne In the
hmonade"
Probably she'd forgotten to bring
her pocket flask" he suggested mus
ingly.
"But aren't you proud Of Penrodf ?
cried Penrod's mother. 1T was just
as told you. He was standing clea'
outside the pavilion
: "I never thought to see the day
And Penrod was the only boy not DO
Ing it. the only one to refuse. An tn
others were"-
: "Every oneF she returned trtum
phantly. Even George Bassettr
"Well," said Mr.. Schofeld, pattint
her on the shoulder. II guess we cal
hold up our heads at last"
> Penrod was out in the yard STARING
at the empty marquee. The sun wal
, m the horizon line, so far behind tn,