The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1916-09-14
AS LYDIA LIKED 7
sy CATHERINE cRANMER.


miration Of impressionable young men
under twenty-five, Lydia did not set
high value upon It,
on the first evening of house party
at Mrs. Hornshys charming mountain
cottage, Lydia was taken in to dinner
by Jack Madison. who had taken turns
ut teasing her and making love to her
for years. Her neighbor on the other
side was Stanley Barnes, digutied
man of perhaps thirty-five. who had
the double distinction of being n sue
cessful lawyer and remarkable
Shakespenrean scholar
Dear me. jack" said Lydia, in
dramatic undertoue, tell me some
thing from Shakespeare quick Some
thing ! can throw in for good measure
when talking 10 my distinguished
neighhar Oh the other side
Better not start anything with that
wiseacre," said Jack. 1t will be vast
ed sweetness on your part and intel
lectual coudescenston ON his. Besides
l saw you first and l love YOU
Just for that" Lydia Indignantly
ignored Jacks ayoWal Of his love and
turned to Stanley Barnes with win
ming smile In her sparkling brown
eyes
MIR. Barnes. de Yen think the
Shakespearean revival This year will
tend to create more general interest
in the immortal baFd22
Stanley Barnes lifted his eyebrows
and opened his gray eyes wide IN sur
prise rs he turnsd 70 reply.
"Why'er, | hope SO, Miss Parker"
said Mr. Barnes. doubtfuliy and Lydia
mlstook his slowness in answering for
the intellectual condescension Jack had
predicted. The truth Is that Stanley
Barnes was thinking what Il charming
Katherine or Rosalind this vivacious
questioner of his would make. She In
wardly determined that she would
some day compel that terrific high
brow" to recognize her as something
more than doll baby in conversation.
The next morning Lydia crawled
out of bed early to tnke peep Mt the
mountain sunrise, and she saw Stanley
Barnes setting out for Il climb all
alone Being already in an adyentur-
Gus mood. she decided 10 take an
early morning ramble herself.
In her corduroy suit and high brown
boots Lydia started out for a climb.
The cool stiffness of the early morning
made her feel very tiny and helpless
but as the sunlight warmed her body
and frightened the coppery tints in
her hair, she was once more seized
with the spirit of adventure. and went
higher and higher with eyes alert for
all the beauties around her.
Its absolutely perfect !" she said
aloud. Nothing more Is needed.
II agree with you. Miss Parker. yet
/ hope 1t will not mar the perfection
of II If I join you In enjoying It." Stan
ley Barnes was standing ON large
bowlder almost directly above Lydia's
head, and when she looked up and met
the smiling question in his eyes she
answered Il with frank smile that
brought him quickly to her side.
words are sadly unequal to all
this" said Lydia throwing out her
hand to indicate the sweep from zenith
to horizon.
For we, which now behold these
present days,
Have eyes to wonder. but lack tongues
TO praise
Lydia was unfamiliar with this quo
tation, but she felt Its aptness so keen
ly that unconscously she slipped her
hand into Stanleys as her sign of ne
quiescence without words.
That night for the fourth and last
time, Jack proposed to Lydia and was
refused with more frmness than she
had shown on any Of the three former
occasions.
Seeing Mrs. Hornsby corral Jack
for bridge game, Lydia slipped from
the room to avoid being similarly cap
tured. She stood quite still for few
moments thinking Of all the pleasures
she had enjoyed with Jack but felt
that she had been right in refusing
him.
THE man | marry must have
enough seriousness to recognize what
little bit there is of 1t In me-" she
unused, "and Jack is even more frivol-
Gus than ].
Then she recalled how Stanley
Barnes had that morning recognized
her as she had resolved the evening
before to make him recognize her-as
something more than doll baby, or
chattering society sparrow. At the
sound of a step on the porch. she
turned and recognized the man who
was in her thoughts approaching her.
Are you also refugee from
bridge?" he asked. May l join your"
Yes" Lydia answered both C. his
questions with one word. 81 seemed
to hear the blgness of things outside
calling me- AS Stanley Joined her
where she stood ut the railing SIC
added, Il defy even your Mr.. Shake
peare to find words to describe tue
loveliness of this night"
LAS you like it, lady fair" said
Stanley, with deferentiel bow. and
so they stood there for time In
wordIess enjoyment of the picture be-
fore them.
When Mrs. Hornsby's ample form
appeared in the doorway and her voice
called back to her guests that she was