Gilpin observer., 1916-05-04
GRAY EYES
sy JANE OSBORN.

suburban community where the home
of the newly rich Stoneworths was
located. and. incidentally, she was the
favorite and best.beloved teacher of
twelve-year-old Vivian. who had been
sent to school because OF her inabil-
ity to keep peace with the gray-eyed
Mr.. Sneed, resident tutor OF the Stone
worth establishment.
Easter holidays had come and be-
cause Madge had no family to return
to during the school vacation, she had
been glad to accept the task OF return.
ing home with Vivian to share the
duty of taking care of the young
Stoneworths. Mr.. and Mrs Stone
worth had departed the day before for
southern climes to be gone week.
Madge had dined alone with the lit
tie girls, and after intrusting them to
the care of their maid to be put to
bed she had retraced her way to the
library, OF which she had caught a
glimpse before dinner
From Vivian's few comments Madge
had formed distinct mental image
of the tutor. She fancied him lean,
precise, pedantic and immaculate,
both in appearance and in speech. She
heard a muffled step on the heavy rug
behind her.
so you are Miss Peckham," said a
voice SO melodious and magnetic, so
unlike anything Madge had associated
with the probable Mr.. Sneed, that she
gave a perceptible start
May l introduce myself? We shall
have to see more or less OF each other
for ten days. hope we shall get on
famously."
Il am very glad to meet you, Mr..
Sneed," said Madge, making rapid
visual survey of the athletic young
man before her.
isn't it really quite lark to be
here?" she laughed. Il have never
been in such wonderful house be-
fore. It is quite like fairy tale,
though no doubt we shall have our
hands full. am sure Vivian will be
docile enough, but Hildegarde does
not know me. l suppose Billy is quite
terror. Did you see that he had
been put to bed before you came
down."
The next morning, when Madge de-
scended to the breakfast room at
eight, she found her charges already
at breakfast.
Billy is the limit" put in Vivian,
with knowing glance at Hildegarde.
1T Is just dreadful when he Is at
meals. I'm glad Mr.. Sneed made him
have breakfast upstairs"
Il am quite sure l shall be great
friends with that bad Billy brother OF
she was glad that the complications
of the first morning had not been in
creased by the addition of Billy.
That first of the Easter holidays was
one of those days that seems like the
longest and the shortest of lifetime.
At Mr.. Sneed's suggestion, there was
morning horseback ride in the mild
spring air. lunch in the sun parlor and
an afternoon spent first at music in
the music room, when Madge and her
little charges played for the entertain
ment of the tutor, and, later, hours
spent in the library.
After the girls had gone to bed,
Madge made her way down to the H.
brary, this time because the tutor had
made her promise to meet him there
when they parted at dinner.
Haven't the children been wonder
ful?' she said, as soon as they had
taken their places before the embers
Of the low-burning fire on the hearth
Madge had changed her simple navy
blue dress for an equally simple eve
ming frock of white that added hun
dredfold to her charms. In that won
derful day she had become well ac.
quainted with the tutor and she even
wanted him to admire her.
1t didn't seem at all presumptuous
but simply as the elimination of 6
wonderful experience when the tuto.
told her that he loved her, that sht
was the loveliest woman he had eve
known and that the day with he.
had been the most beautiful in hi.
| life
And 1t is SO strange" she was say
| ing as they sat there in the glow o.
the embers. Il had such distinc
impression OF wnat Mr.. Snced woult
be like. l thought he would have gra!
| eyes, but not at all the kind of gra,
| eyes you have"
1T was because had gray eye
that you knew was MIR. Snced, then.
The funny part of 1t is that am moi
NJ. Sneed at ALL"
Who are you, then?' she asked ii
amazement.
Il am that very bad boy Billy whom
you told us you were quite sure yo,
should like. You see, l am really viy
| ian's brother"
| But Mr.. Snead is Billy's tutor.
nterposed the mystified girl.
Yes, he is. You see. cut colleg,
to go in business with my father, ant
now that he's made his pile | want t.
go back and study law and Sneed IL