Catoctin clarion., 1917-02-08
GEORGIAN silver
By LOUISE OLIVER.

Alex looked down at the little girl
beside him with a calm, quiet scrutiny
which might have conveyed diversity
of Impressions upon any who noticed.
But for the enlightenment OF the rev
who knew not Alex. ! shall explain
that he was quietest when most de-
lighted, and he was indeed thankful to
his hostess for putting him beside this
sweet little violet Of humanity.
He drew long breath and waited
for her to speak. He didn't know the
girl and he hoped she didn't know him.
Otherwise she might be like the oth-
ers; overtalkative. unnatural. ana npt
to overdo. He was too modest to up
preciate the fact that, as the best
catch in the matrimonial sea, he was
apt to be offered bait In generous guam
titles and of infinite variety.
Dorothy looked around the dining
room with wide eyes, then up at him
with smile. II can't believe I'm
awake" she said.
"No?" 1t was an invitation to 60
on
mo. They say that sometimes
wish Is father to thought. Maybe
I'VE lust wished for something like this
so often that now | think it's true.
Maybe I'm not here at all-Only think
ing am"
"What does II matter7 Maybe I'm
thinking all this too"
~ was Just thinking" she remarked
in the interval before the soup. that
it's n shame Bob couldn't be here. He'd
love II so. But Aunt Jane said he
couldn't come, that's all there was to
It. Aunt Jane said It was kind Of Mrs.
Dexter to ask one Of the poor Vir-
ghia relations without ringing In the
three Of us. You see, there's Robert.
Stonewall and myself. The boys are
deurs: you ought to know them. Bob's
my twin"
"He must be dear" ventured Alex.
She laughed. but cOlored neverthe-
less.
He changed the subject. "Are you
fond Of old sllver?" he asked. "Tve
been admiring those Georgian candle
sticks. The pattern Is very rare"
ave been collecting bits here and
there" he went on. "NO doubt you can
tell me some wonderful things about
old silver. Most SOutherners can. But
one thing have discovered for myself,
that SOutherners may part with their
homes. their clothes, and even their
~ Gil I I'm
where there are some splendid collec-
lions In the South. but you can't get
them"
Dorothy's appetite for food suddenly
disappeared. She laid down her fork
and looked so distressed that Alex
wondered what dreadful thing he had
said.
81 want toto tell you" said the
girl finally. "where happen to know
you may find beautiful collection OF
Georgian silver. 1t is at Berni's. on
Fifth avenue. II all came from one
family. and It seems to me the things
ought to stay together" Then sud-
denly and brightly, as II to put dis
tasteful thought behind her. II wish
you could know Wally and Bob. Poor
Bob!"
"Why poor?"
"Oh, he loves nice things so. We
all do! But really meant 1t literally.
you know. We are poor very. You
see that's why I'm" She stopped.
Virginia pride was uppermost. Moth
Ing" she answered his eager inquiry.
81 thought could tell you, but
can't"
A painful flush had spread over her
face, and Alex had an uncomfortable
feeling that tears were near. Some
thing was giving this little girl great
deal of unhappiness, he had discov-
cred, and suddenly he had desire to
chase the clouds away from the seri-
Gus dark eyes, and to see the dlmple
come and 60 In her lovely, smooth
cheek.
The next day he stopped In Bernl's.
And there was Dorothy herself, hat
less coatless and In the plain black
garb of a clerk. She colored furiously
when she saw him.
Alex was puzzled. Was the story of
Virginia, then. merely happy fiction.
manufactured to entertain a dinner
partner? If so. 1t was good. "GOOd
afternoon" he said; 81 understand
there was fine collection Of old
Georgian silver here. May see it?"
"Certainlyw Dorothy led the way
to table on which was an array that
made Alex fairly jump with astonsh-
ment.
ITS splendidw he cried. "Whose
was 1t? Where did 1t come from?
never saw anything like It,"
"The silver Is mine-all have. But
the boys must 60 to school, and 1t
must 60. l won't let anyone else sell
1t. That was one stipulation l made
to Berni. that must approve the pur-
chaser. When anyone else comes
along, l double-treble the price,"
"But must have It'll Do you ap.
prove of met"
She nodded.
But the collection isn't complete.
There is something else that will have
to 20 with II before l take it."
"What is that?"
"You. l always know what | want
instantly, and I could have told Won