The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-08-10

| In people living Cnelr own HVeS' III
their own way" Georgy prided her
self that she was advanced" She
considered the ordinary insular atti-
tude toward what is termed morality
to be stodgy and Victorian. Indeed,
she quite fancied the more free-and-
easy continental view of life.
What on earun are you talking
about?" Ethel demanded. If the truth
were known, she felt the least bit un-
comfortable beneath the frank stare
Of her young friend.
"You remember month ago. when
you said you went to BrightonT'
Georgy continued relentlessly.
"When said went to Brighton?
When l went to Brighton" Miss Will
loughby corrected her coldiy.
But the chill Of her remark was lost
upon her patient cross-examiner.
Georgy was too intent upon uncover
ing the romance that she thought she
had stumbled upon to be so easily
discouraged.
"Well, today at lunch Hugh Middle
ton said you couldn't have been In
Brighton that week" She paused
to watch the effect of her bombshell.
"Did he? Really?" Miss Willough-
by replied with well-feigned indiffer-
ence. But beneath her cold calm her
heart was beating furiously. She felt
for all the world like some wild thing,
trapped, at bay. And she turned away
to hide the alarm that she feared must
reveal itself in her face.
Eyes! He was in Paris. and"
"Parisv' Ethel echoed with a faint
start.
Youth is ever cruel; and Georgy
had no thought Of sparing her compan'
ion. Her sole idea was that If ethel
were hiding some secret lia1son she
wanted to share the romance with her
Eyes" she went on relentlessly
"And he saw you there twice that
week, and both times with Henry
Streetman."
"But that's impossibler Ethel pro-
tested
''But Mr.. Middleton seemed very
positive" the younger girl said some
what doubtfully.
ITS too absurdv' Ethel. cried, fore
ing laugh. 81 was at Brighton. as |
can very easily prove"
"Well-that's settled" Georgy ex-
claimed, with an air of relief In spite
of her hopes Her feelings had, as a
matter of fact, been somewhat COM
pick. "Of course I'd only admire you
for being brave enough to defy the
conventions. But father wouldn't"
But haven't defed conventions"
Ethel insisted, placing both her hands
over Georgy's as if to emphasize the
truth of her statement.
"Oh, | don't care if you have" Sir
Georges daughter told her callously.
But you ought to care" Ethel pro-
tested. "And as your governess can
not condone such an attitude on your
part. Really, Georgy. stupid as con-
ventions may appear sometimes, new
ertheless there is a bitter penalty ex-
acted from people who break them"
Miss Wagstaff rose abruptly, as If
impatient with the views of her COVER
ness; and, crossing the room, she seat
ed herself nonchalantly upon the arm
Of a chair that was drawn up at one
side of the tea table.
"Oh, pooh" she exclaimed. "All |
that -mindedness is old-fash |
Ioned."
The older girl regarded her reprov
Ingly.
What silly book have you been
she inquired. After her ad-
vent into the Wagstaff home it had not
aiken her long to discover that
Georges literary tastes had developed
along lines that would scarcely have
net with Sir Georges approval.
Miss Georgy did not even deign
o reply to Ethel's question. They had
lad numerous discussions-more or
ess heated-upon the subject OF her
eading. which Georgy regarded as
10Th footless and absurd. She had
penly rebelled at reading the books
hat Ethel recommended to her. Jane
austen and Mrs. Gaskell were. in her
pinion. hopelessly behind the times.
"Tm glad you haven't had an affair
nth Henry Streetman." the younger
frl remarked. 81 don't like him."
Don't your" said Ether. relieved
hat Georgy was at last convinced that
er suspicious were groundless.
mol Every time he comes into the
pom my back sort Of goes up. just
Ike R1wdy when be sees a cat" Row
v was Georges Scotch terrier. whose
to cats was proverblaL
Mr.. Streetman has been very kind J
, me-" her governess observed.
oh. don't defend him. Georgy