The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-11-16
There came tap at the door, and
Maud opened it.

Come in, Miss Barton" she cried at
fectionately, as the slim, auburn haire3
music teacher smiled at her.
Il can't just now, dear; I've brought
Dorothy the new music she asked for.
Did 1 tell you that madame has en-
gagged the ROmany orchestra for the
next dance?"
She laughed muSically as the girls
broke into noisy expressions of joy.
Heretofore the school and it's invited
guests had danced to the tame music
of piano and one violin.
''She is dear murmured Amy when
they were alone once more
''She would be beautiful if she wors
something besides that tmesome black"
II wonder why she never married I
wonder if it did have anything to de
with my handsome guardian" said
Dorothy.
"They will meet again here. If she
married Senator Merwin, what rela-
ton would she be to you. Dorotl,y?"
asked Maud miscbievOusly.
Dorothy threw a sentimental glance
at the picture.
''She would be my deadliest enemy"
she declared, and in burst Of laughter
the confer renee broke up.
Nine. Hermaine's boarding school
Wore a festive appearance that April
night.
Youthful beauty filled the staid re-
ceptiOn rooms and overlooked upon
halls and verandas.
There was glimpse of the broad
bCsomed Pacific ocean, where the
moon made a silver track that might
lead to enchanted islands. Eastward
the foothills doomed black against the
evening sky. From the gardens below
came scented reminders of rose gera-
mum, carnations, heliotrOpe and mi
gnOnette; in the verandas were great
tubs Of pink oleanders.
TO Nine. Hermaine's pupils enchant.
ment lay here instead of unknown is
lands Of the far east
Friends and relatives Of pupils
thronged the rooms, and the young
people danced to the entrancing strains
Of the gypsy orchestra.
Mime. Hermaine moved majestically
through the roonas, pausing now and
then to bestow a smile and word on
some favOrite pupil or to linger IN
conversation with guardians and par.
ents.
Fraulein Goebel, the German teach.
er, and Mile. Specht, who taught q
large French class, were dancing Sc
detely together. Linda Barton sat In
a corner and chatted with an unknOwR
old lady, who afterward turned out tn
be Anne Ashbels grandmother.
'And who is this tan man comingf'
asked Mrs. Ashbel curiously. "The
broad shouldered man surrounded by
girls?"
Linda, looking rose flushed and love
ly in a much darned black net evening
frock. glanced carelessly at the grOup-
Suddenly all the roses vanished from
her cheeks, leaving them white and
wan.
"Who is hep persisted the old lady
curiously.
81 think, 1 believe his name must
be Merw!n." Haid Linda in a labOred
voice.
81 wonder if it can be Senator Mes-
win?" n,urmurtd Mrs. Ashbel.
81 don't know" said Linda, dropping
her head to hide her emotion from
half dozen pairs of curious eyes.
did you see her?" whispered MauA
Benning to Dorothy Blake as they ac-
companied Richard Merwin to the con-
servatory to show him Nine Her
names collection Of orchids.
"You mean Miss Bartou?'
Maud nodded. "She must have recOg-
nized your guardian, Dolly. 1 thought
she was going to faint. she grew 80
white"
II wonderr' murmured Dorothy.
MAUD, I'm going to bring her here to
meet guardy."
1T would be cruel perhaps" pro-
tested Maud.
1T will b. quite romantic" insisted
Dorothy, moving away.
81 thought yOu-you admired him
YOURSELF" objected Maud.
81 do, and he admires me. too" said
Dorothy egotistically. HE could not
help drawing a contrast between us,
and am not bit jealous of poor Miss
Barton" She smiled with the cruel
candor Of youth and fitted away in the
shinmering crowd.
Richard Merwin and the four chat.
tering girls had seen the orchids and
had paused by the fountain. watching
the antics Of the goldfish in the basin.
Suddenly Dorothy was in their midst.
holding tightly to the hand of a slim.
black CARRIED woman whose crown OF
auburn hair was powdered with the
snow Of late youth. White as death.
she met the surprised gray eyes of the
senator
The gray Of his eyes turned to black.
the fine wrinkles and lines vanished
from around his eyes and mouth, his
face was afire with youth, and there
was look which caused the five girls
to fail back in an abashed group near
the door.
LINDA! Linda Barton, Is it your
he asked in thrilling voice, and his
eyes and hers seemed to bridge long
years Of pain and misunderstanding.
AZ last their hands camo tOpothpr