The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-08-25

INAHEJ A4tCG dtlutu a ulCS PlA1h bAu1M
to the red already wind-kissed upon
her cheeks.
"Fiddlesticksr' she said.
''FiddIe nothing" said Francis.
You're dandy girl, Mary Alice.
love you to distraction"
s'Oh, Francis, you're so absurd. You
mustn't make love to me. don't
even think your father'd like 1t IL he
knew you were taking me to drive.
It's nice to be friends, btlt-oh. please
don't make 1T any stronger than that!'
What talk have your demanded
Francis. my father thinks you're just
about right, can tell you. Way back
when you and were kids he used to
tell me what pretty little. thing yOu
were and how much sense you had"
'AThat was because we were little"
Doesn't make any diff. You're
prettier now than ever, and you've got
ten times as much, sense. Listen to
mel You don't know my dad. Do you
think he has any foolish ideas about
class and 'exclusiveness' and all that?
Why. when he was my age he was
poor as-as am. Poorer; he got only
six dollars a week.
"But he was a college man"
@He earned his way through--he and
Uncle Billy Jackson. That's why
they're such pals. Uncle Billy Jackson
thinks you're great, Mary Alice"
HE hasn't seen me for four or i've
years. Let's not argue. For good
ness sake, where are we. anyhow?
I've never been here before. What are
you turning In for?''
ats the Boreas club; tobogganing,
skiing. skating all that sort Of thing.
Ever have an iceboat ride? Ever go
down toboggan chute? Now's your
chance"
Francis turned the car oyer to an
attendant at the clubhouse steps and
led Mary Alice into the great living
room.
Want something to warm you up
mite?'' asked her host.
mo. indeed, I'm not bit chilled"
"Well. then, after we've had our
slide. Now let's see You'll need some
heavier boots, and mittens, and a
stocking cap. Wait here few min
utes: TIL be right back
He disappeared, leaving Mary Alice
standing before the broad hearth,
where big fire cracked cheerily. A
couple Of silent servitors glided about.
attending upon the guests who grouped
themselves about small tables. where
they laughed over their tea. Mary AL
ice knew that the Boreas club was
made up Of the best people OF Shelf
field and its suburbs. Moreover. she
knew that Francis Willett's social po-
sition gave him the entree wherever
such people gathered. That he was
member and that she was his guest
gave her pleasant sensation Of be-
longing there herself.
Francis came back. followed by a
respectful maid, who carried sundry
articles OF apparel. Including gay
patterned mackinaw and stout outing
boots.
".Iust go with Teresa" said her
escort. "She'll fix you up in jiffy."
Together they climbed the long slope
to the top of the toboggan chute.
Laughing, shouting. excited coasters.
all carefully dressed in garments de-
signed for this particular sport. crowd
ed the broad starting platform. Nearly
everybody knew Francis and greeted
him noislly and cordially. Many cast
inquiring glances Mary Alice's way;
she was too pretty to be ignored.
Francis procured from somewhere
luxurious, cushioned toboggan, 1T
ted with shiny nickeled rails and
chime of blending bells. He looked.
so Mary Alice thought, the most stun
ming young man in the crowd. Per-
haps the pattern of his mackinaw was
little the most striking: he certainly
wore his tasseled cap with rakish
and fetching air. A tall. graceful tig-
ure. he carried himself with easy as
surance. his complacent. confident
smile quite In keeping with his posi-
ton In this world of mice" people.
If the occasion arose, he introduced
Mary Alice to his women friends or
presented Mr.. This and Mr.. That with
fine courtesy. Mary Alice was not In
the least displeased to sense. in Fran
els Willett's attitude. sort of pride.
With the early winter darkness, long
lines OF electric lamps lighted the slide
and dotted the lake. More and more
people appeared to swell the carnival
throng. Mary Alice felt its pictur-
esqueness. its color. its bewildering
novelty. After the FIRST breath-taking
initiation she lost her keen edge OF
fear. but the long plunge at the Jump
ing-off place" maintained its fascinat-
ing terror.
Its getting overcrowded." at length
announced Francis I'VE don't get our
turn very often: the waits are too long.
Let's go to the clubhouse and order
supper"
"Oh. but | must be home for sup
per-" insisted Mary Alice. The fam
iIx, will xrrnrrr hos hoaf, uarfaoftv