The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-19
GEORGIAN SILVER
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Alex looked down at the little glri !
beside him with n calm, quiet scrutiny |
which might have conveyed diversity |
of impressions upon any who noticed.
But for the enlightenment of the few !
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 9th
ers; overtalkative, unnatural, and apt
to overdo. He was too modest 10 ap-
prcciate 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. 81 can't believe I'm
awake" she said.
MOP" 1t was an invitation to 60
/ on.
!
wish is father to a thought. Maybe
I've just wished for something like this
so often that now l think it's true.
Maybe I'm not here at all-only think
ing l am"
What does it matter? Maybe I'm
thinking all this too"
Il was just thinking" she remarked
in the interval before the soup, that
it's a 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 Nir
ginia relations without ringing in the
three of us. You see, there's Robert.
Stonewall and myself The boys are
dears; you ought to know them. Bob's
my twin"
He must be a dear" ventured Alex.
She laughed, but coIored neverthe
less.
He changed the subject. Are you
fond of old silver?" he asked. I've
been admiring those Georgian candle
sticks. The pattern Is very rare"
i've 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.
J that Southerners may part with their
homes, their clothes, and even their
souls. but their silver-never. | know
where there are some splendid collec-
tions 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
j wondered what dreadful thing he had
said. 81
Il want toto tell YOU" said the
girl finally. 'where | happen TO know
you may find beautiful collection Of
y Georgian silver. 1t is at Berni's. on
Fifth avenue. 1t all came from one
! family, and it seems to me the things
! ought to stay together" Then sud
+ denly and brightly, as if 10 put a dis
[ tasteful thought behind her, II wish
You could know Wally and Bob. Poor
5 Bob !"
+ why poor?"
oh he loves nice things so. We
5 all do, But l really meant it literally
you know. We are poor. very. Yo,
see that's why I'm" She stopped
/ Virginia pride was uppermoSt. Moth
: ing" she answered his eager inquiry
d 81 thought I could tell you, but
o can't
IL a painful flush had spread over he
$ face, and Alex had an uncomfortable,
i feeling that tears were near. Some
X thing was giving this little girl grea
7 deal Of unhappiness, he had discov
= cred. and suddenly he had a desire t,
- chase the clouds away from the seri
Gus dark eyes. and to see the dimpl
ST come and go in her lovely, smootl
IS cheek
II, The next day he stopped in Berni's
I, And there was Dorothy herself, hat
4 less, coatless and in the plain blac
= garb of a clerk. She colored furiousl
= when she saw him.
~ Alex was puzzled. Was the story @
No Virginia, then, merely a happy fictior
manufactured to ehtertain a Dime
he partner? If so. it was good. Goo
RI afternoon" he said; Il understan
he there was a fine collection of al
. Georgian silver here. May | see ii!
as Certainly" Dorothy led the wa
:" to table on which was an array tn;
:. made Alex fairly jump with astonisl
III ment.
i. It's Splendid" he cried. "Whos
r. was it? Where did it come from?
10 never saw anything like it,"
lis THE silver is mine-all l have. Bl
Id the boys must go to school, and
on must go | won't let anyone else Sc
TIC it. That was one stipulation l mao
~ to Berni, that ! must approve the pr
Il chaser. When anyone else com,
- along. | double-treble the price"
III But | must have it, Do you a
he prove of me-
nd She nodded
TT. "Eut the collection isn't complet