News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-09-29

"A dancing floor had been lalQ upon q
platform in the yard when Mrs. Soho
field and her son arrived ut their OWL
abode, and white and scarlet striped
canopy was in process of erection over
head to shelter the dancers from the
sun. Workmen We're busy everywhere
under the direction of Margaret, and
the smitten heart of Penrod began to
beat rapidly. All this was for him.
He was twelve
After lunch he underwent an elab-
crate toilet and murmured not. For
the first time in his life he knew the
wish to be sandpapered, waXed, and
polished to the highest possible degree.
And when the operation was over he
stood before the mirror in new bloom,
feeling encouraged to hope that his re-
semblance to his father was not so
strong as Aunt Sarah seemed to think
The white gloves upon his hands had
pleasant smell he found, and as he
came down the stairs he had great
content in the twinkling Of his new
dancing slippers. He stepped twice
on each step the better to enjoy their
effect, and at the same time he deeply
inhaled the Odor of the gloves. In spite
of everything PenrOd had his social ca
pacities. Already it is to be perceived
that there were in him the makings
of a cotillion leader.
Then came from the yard a sound of
tuning instruments, squeak of fiddle,
Groom of cello. falling triangle ring
ing and tinkling to the floor, and he
turned pale.
Chosen guests began to arrive, while
Penrod, suffering from stage fright and
perspiration, stood beside his mother,
in the drawing rOom," to receive them.
He greeted unfamiliar acquaintance
and intimate fellow criminals with the
same frigidity. murmuring ON glad
to see v" to all alike, largely increas-
ing the embarrassment which always
prevails at the beginning of children s
festivities. His unnatural pomp and
circumstance had so thoroughly upset
him, in truth, that Marjorie Jones re-
ceived distinct shock, now to be re-
lated. DR.. Thrope, the very kind old
clergyman who had baptized Penrod.
came in for moment to congratulate
the boy and had Just moved away
when it was Marjorie's turn, in the
line Of children, to speak to Penrod.
She gave him what she considered a
forgiving look and, because of the &C.
easion, addressed him in a perfectly
courteous manner.
81 wish you many happy returns of
the day, Penrod.'
"Thank you, sir"' he returned, fol-
lowing DR.. Thorpe with a CLASSY stare
in which there was absolutely no rec
ignition of Marjorie. Then he greeted
Maurice Levy, who was next to Mar
jorfe, "'M glad to see y'v'
Dumfounded, Marjorie turned aside
and stood near, observing Penrod with
gravity. 1t was the first great surprise
of her life. Customarily she had seem
ed to place his character somewhere
between that of the professional rioter
and that of the orang outang. Never
theless her manner at times just hint
ed a consciousness that this Caliban
was her property, wherefore she stared
at him incredulously as his head bob
bed up and down in the dancing school
bow. greeting his guests. Then she
heard an adult voice near her exclaim:
'What an exquisite child"'
Marjorie glanced up-a little con.
sciously, though she was used to it
naturally curious to ascertain who was
speaking of her. 1t was Sam Will.
Hams mother addressing Mrs. Bassett
both being present to help Mrs. Soho
field make the festivities festive.
"Exquisiter'
Here was second heavy surprise
for Marjorie. They were not looking
at her. They were looking with beam
ing approval at a girl she had never
seen, dark and modish stranger OF
singularly composed and yet modes
aspect. Her downcast eyes, becomins
in one thus entering a crowded room
were all that produced the effec
of modesty, counteracting somethin:
about her which might have seemed
too assured. She was very slender
very dainty, and her apparel was dis
.iuartenIng TO the other girls. 1t wa!
of a knowing picturesqueness wholly
unfamiliar to them. There was a del
icate trace of powder upon the lobe o.
Fanchon's left ear, and the outlines o.
her eyelids. if very closely scrutinized
would have revealed successful eXper
imentatiOn with a burned match.
Marjorie's lovely eyes dilated. Sh'
learned the meaning of hatred at frs
sight. Observing the stranger with in
stinctive suspicion, all at once sh'
seemed. to herself, awkward. Poo
Marjorie underwent that experience
which hearty, healthy little girls anC
big girls undergo at one time or an
other-from heels to head she felt her
self. somehow, too thick.
Fanchon leaned close to Penrod ant
whispered in his ear:
Don't you forget"
PenrOd blushed.
Marjorie saw the blush. Her lovely
eyes opened even wider, and in then
there began TO grow n light. 1t was