Gilpin observer., 1917-01-25
GEORGIAN SILVER
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

beside him with q calm. quiet scrutiny
which might have conveyed n diversity
of Impressions upon any who noticed.
But for the enlightenment of the few
who knew not Alex, shall explain
that he was quletest 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. unnntural. and apt
to overdo. He was too modest to ap-
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. 81 can't believe I'm
awake" she said.
moi" 1t was an invitation to. go
on.
mo. They say that sometimes a
wish Is father to thought. Maybe
I've just wished for something like this
so often that now l think it's true.
Maybe Pm not here at all-only think
ing | am"
"What does II matter? Maybe I'm
thinking all this too"
II was just thinking" she remarked
In the interval before the soup. that
It's 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
1t. Aunt Jane said It was kind of Mrs.
Dexter to ask one of the poor Vir-
ginia relations without ringing in the
three of us. You see. there's Robert,
Stonewall and myself. The boys are
denrs; you ought to know them. Bob's
my twin"
ale must be dear" ventured Alex.
She laughed, but colored neverthe-
less.
He changed the subject. Are you
fond of old silver?" he asked. "Tve
been admirlng those Georgian candle
sticks. The pattern is very rare"
1--WE been collecting bits here and
there" he went on. mo doubt you can
tell me some wonderful things about
old silver. Most Southerners can. But
one thing ] have discovered for myself.
that Souiherners may part with their
homes, their clothes. and even their
souls. hut their silver-never. | know
where there are some splendid collec
tons 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.
II want toto tell you" snid the
girl finally, "where ! happen to know
you may find beautiful collection of
Georgian silver. II Is at Berni's. on
Fifth avenue. II nll 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. 81 wish
you could know Wally and Bob. Poor
BObl"
"Why poor2"
"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. "Noth-
Ing" she answered his eager Inquiry
~ thought could tell you. but I
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 serl-
Gus dark eyes. and to see the dimple
come and 60 In her lovely, smooth
cheek.
The next day he stopped In Berni's
And there was Dorothy herself, hat
less, coatless and In the plain black
gnrb of clerk. She colored furiously
when she saw him.
Alex was puzzled. Was the story of
virginia, then. merely happy fiction.
manufactured to entertain dinner
partner? If so, II was good. Good
afternoon" he said; ~ understand
there was fine collection Of old
Georgian silver here. May see it?"
"Certalnlyw Dorothy led the way
TO n table on which was an array that
made Alex fairly jump with astonish-
ment
ITS splendd!" he cried. "Whose
was 1t? Where did II come from? /
never saw anything like It,"
"'rhe silver Is mine-nll have. But
the boys must go to school, and II
must go. won't let anyone else sell
1t. That was one stipulation made
to Berni, that must approve the pur.
chaser. When anyone else comes
along, ! double-treble the price"
"But ! must have 1t Do you ap.
prove of me?"
She nodded.
"But the collection isn't complete.
a.