The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-01-30

was pleasant dinner, on the veranda,
with the twilight drawing round like
soft curtains, the lamps glowing every
where In the tropical verdure like lit
tie moons, and the glimmering afrom0-
b1les spinning everywhere along the
walks.
And there was music. The dancing
was beginning little distance away.
Gloria tried to sneak sip of her IA
Tiers coffee, but Miss Sidney caught
her at it and took the cup away. But
except for her everything was beauti-
ful and tender; the very atmosphere
was full of pleasant reveries. And
then Miss Sidney had to look at her
watch and ruin everything with the
insulting word: "Bedtime!"
Gloria pretended not to hear her and
talked vigorously to David. But he
only laughed an elder brothers laugh
and lighted another cigarette She
ran to her father and nestled in his
arms. He Rugged her close, but she
could tell that he was afraid of that
gorgon governess.
Daddy, darling, let me go to the
dance" He shook his head. "Just
three dances" He shook his head.
1.-TWO? One!" He shook his head.
She knew that the governess had
given him his orders.
: David shifted. Little girls aren't
allowed to mingle with grownups at
ter dark"
Gloria choked for words and threw
him one glance. If looks were smacks
in the eye he would have had good
one. But he only laughed the more.
Then her father hardened his heart
and gave her run-along-now kiss.
She went along, but she did not run.
Once more the rebellion began to SIM
mer in her brain.
Her helplessness was her chief
grievance. How could young girl
defend herself from big governess
and big maid, flinty-hearted father
and brute Of brother? She was
bordering while the maid took off her
dinner gown and hung it up and hand
ed her her sleeping suit. A pretty
time to go to bed with all Florida call
ing to her under the moon!
She said her prayers with an absent
minded lack of conviction and crawled
into bed. The governess and the maid
: put out the lights and left her. But
they did not put out the moon.
The governess had a prosaic soul
and she fell asleep in spite of the
moon and the music and the pleading
call of all outdoors. She even sncred!
Gloria could stand everything but
that. She stole from her bed and tip
toed to the governess' room to shake
her and beg her not to play that tune
on her nose. A better idea occurred
| to her. Seeing the gOverness cloth
slippers neatly placed On the bedside
| rug, Gloria pinned them there, whisked
| back into her own room and, fingine
| Off her bedgear, slipped into her din
| ner gown again. She dressed in the
/ dark and got away safely from he1
i room.
Il She was afraid to face the brillian
Il lights and the crowd, but she found ;
Il nook on the piazza where she coul'
II peer in at a window and watch tn
II whirling couples. The tune set he
81 heart to Waiting and she was SO fan
81 ished for dance that when old Judg
Freeman came into sight she aske
81 him to waltz with her. He shook hi
81 head dolefully.
ri I'm sorry, my child, but I've bee
III sent to he'd, too
= She felt sorry for him, but sh
u wished that people would stop calm
81 her my child"
I'll She peeked at the ballroom agai
8| and watched the rivalry Of David an
#i Mr.. Ferneau for the dances Of Lo
81 Freeman The two men were jealo,
#l of each other. David was furiou
81 and Gloria was glad Of it.
Nl After a time David had gre;
BAL scheme. Never dreaming that Glor
Ml was just outside the window, with
aa hearing distance, he asked Lois If 81
Oil would not enjoy little moonlig
Sal spin in his racer. She said that 81
would. David said, wait right here
and left the ballroom. But Lois d
not waste any time waiting. She bee
,od oned Mr. Ferneau and told him tn
Thy she had headache and could dan
his only enc more dance before she So
his goodnight. Gloria knew that she "
Ost killing time Till DAVID cOuld get TO [
GUS garage and back.
She heard Davids car coming. T
the lights almost revealed her on the pi
of "a David stopped the car at 81
las entrance and ran into the hotel
pay Lois.
hat Then Gloria's inspiration came.
,r- would save David from that siren a
her she would get bit of moonlight
her herself.
She dashed across the lawn a:
for stepping into the car, commanded
ork to obey her wild will and away
ula- went like a magic carpet.
7ere >
Her practiced hands and feet KIN