The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-08-31

Mary Alice added nice pink blush
to the red already wind kissed upon
her cheeks.
"Fiddlesncks!' she said.
Fiddle nothing" said francis.
You're dandy girl. Mary Alice.
love you to distraction"
"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. but-oh. please
don't make 1t any stronger than thatr'
What talk have you?" demanded
Francis. MY father thinks you're just
about right. l can tell you. Way back
when you and l were kids he used to
tell me what a pretty little thing you
were and how much sense you had"
THAT 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
me! You don't know my dad. Do Won
think he has any foolish ideas about
class and 'eXclusiveness' and all thatq
Why. when he was my age he was
poor as-as l am. Poorer; he got only
six dollars a week"
But he was q college man."
He earned his way through-he and
Uncle Billy Jackson. That's wbv
they're such pals. Uncle Billy Jackson
thinks you're great. Mary Alice"
He hasn't seen me for four or five
years. cts not argue For good
ness SAKE, where are we. anyhow?
I've never been here before. What are
you turning in for?"
ITS the Boreas club: tobogganjnp
skiing, skadng-all that sort OF thing
Ever have an iceboat ride? Ever 90
down a toboggan chute? Now's your
chance"
Francis turned the car over to an
attendant at the clubhouse steps and
led Mary Alice into the great living
room.
Want something to warm you up a
mite?" asked her host.
NO. indeed, I'm not bit Chilled
Wei, then, after we've had our
slide. Now let's see. You'll need some
heavier boots, and mittens. and n
stocking cap. Wait here a few min
utes; I'll be right back"
He disappeared, leaving Mary Alice
standing before the broad hearth
where big fire cracked cheerily. A
couple or 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 Shef
field and its suburbs. Moreover. aha
knew that Francis Willett's social no.
sition gave him the entree wherever
such people gathered. That he was a
member and that she was his guest
gave her a pleasant sensation OF be-
longing there herself.
Francis came back, followed by a
respectful maid. who carried sundry
articles OF apparel. including a gay
patterned macklnaw and stout outing
boots.
Just go with Teresa" said her
escort. She'll fix you up in a 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 noisily and cordially. Many cast
inquirlng glances Mary Alice's way;
she was too pretty to be ignored.
Francis procured from somewhere
a luxurious. cushioned toboggan, fit-
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
a little the most striking; he certainly
wore his tasseled cap with a rakish
and fetching air. A tall. graceful fig
ure. he carried himself with easy as
surance. his complacent. confident
smile quite in keeping with his posi-
tlon In this world OF mice" people.
II 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
CTS Willett's attitude, a sort OF pride.
With the early winter darkness. long
lines Of electric lamps lighted the slide
NHh npAtNA tic Ahhts More ana NlOEt
people appeared to swell the carnival
throng. Mary Alice felt its plctur-
esqueness. its color. It's bewlldering
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 It's fasclnat-
ing terror.
It's getting overcrowded." at length
Francis owe don't get our
turn very often; the waits are too long.
Let's go to the clubhouse and order
supper"
"Oh, but I must be home for sup
per" insisted Mary Alice. "The fam
Ily Will worry It has been perfectly
splendid, Francis You've been an old
dear TO give me such a heavenly after
noon"
"Oh, well, n you must" he conceded
after FIVE minutes OF useless argu-
ment Anyhow, Wen have something
hot before we start"
When Mary Alice had discarded her
borrowed costume and returned to the
big living room, she found Francis
there alone. He looked down at her.
bis eyes ardent Mary Alice turned
AWAY. She suddenly found lt little
hard 60 meet that bovfah ot.rar foob