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

The white gloves upon MS ndnus ndu
q 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 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 "'M glad
to see y" 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 a distinct shock, now to be re-
lated. DR.. Thrope, the very kind old
clergyman who had baptized Penrod,
came in for a moment to congratulate
the boy and had just moved away
when 1t was Marjorie's turn, in the
line Of children, to speak to Penrod
She gave him what she considered q
forgiving look and, because of the oc
casion, addressed him in a perfectly
courteous manner.
"I wish you many happy returns OF
the day, Penrod."
'Thank you, siry' he returned, fol.
lowing DR.. Thorpe with a CLASSY stare
IN which there was absolutely no rec
ognition Of Marjorie. Then he greeted
Maurice Levy, who was next. to Mar
jorie, an glad to see ""
Dumfounded, Marjorie turned aside
and stood near, observing Penrod witt
| gravity. It was the first great surprise
Of her life. Customarily she had seem
ed to place his character somewhere
between that Of the professional riotel
and that Of the orang outang. Never
theless her manner at times just hint
ed consciousness that this CalibaI
was her property, wherefore she staret
at him incredulously as his head bob
bed up and down in the dancing schoo
bow, greeting his guests. Then sh'
heard an adult voice near her exclaim
"What an exquisite childw
Marjorie glanced up-a little con
sciously. though she was used to it
naturally curious to ascertain who wa
speaking of her. 1t was Sam VII
liams' mother addressing Mrs. Bassett
both being present to help Mrs. Scho
field make the festivities festive.
"Exquisite"
i Here was a second heavy surpris
for Marjorie. They were not looking
at her. They were looking with beam
ing approval at a girl she had neve
seen, q dark and modish stranger o
singularly composed and yet modes
aspect. Her downcast eyes, becoming
IN one thus entering crowded room
were all that produced the effec
Of modesty, counteracting somethin
about her which might have seeme
too assured. She was very slender
j very dainty, and her apparel was dii
heartening to the other girls. It wa
Of a knowing picturesqueness who'll
unfamiliar to them. There was a de
icate trace Of powder upon the lobe Q
Fanchon's left ear, and the outlines Q
her eyelids, If very closely scrudniEet
: would have revealed successful expel
ltaaptattRn with b9Qed MeAch.