The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-03-08
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 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 TINS
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 to APP
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.
MOP" 1t was an invitation to go
on.
mo. They say that sometimes a
wish is father to a thought. Maybe
I've just wished for something like this
so often that now / think it's true.
Maybe Tin not here at all-only think
ing | am"
"What does it matter? Maybe I'm
thinking all this too"
81 was just thinking" she remarked
in the interval before the soup, chat
it's a shame Bob couldn't be here. He'd
love it 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-
glnia relations without ringing in the
three of u.s.. 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 colored neverthe-
less.
He changed the subject. "Are you
fond of old silver?" he asked. 1--WE
been admiring those Georgian candle
sticks. The pattern is very rare"
1--WE 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
souls, but their silver-never. l 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.
81 want toto tell you" said the
girl finally, "where I happen to know
you may find a beautiful collection of
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 to put a dis
tasteful thought behind her, 81 wish
you could know Wally and Bob. Poor
Bobw
"Why poorT
"Oh he loves nice things so. We
all do! But I really meant it literally,
you know. We are poor, very. You
see that's why Pm" She stopped
Virginia pride was uppermost "Noth-
ing" she answered his eager inquiry
81 thought l could tell you, but
can't"
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 dlscov-
cred, and suddenly he had a desire to
chase the clouds away from the seri-
Gus dark eyes, and to see the dlmple
come and so 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
garb of clerk. She colored furiously
when she saw him.
Alex was puzzled. Was the story of
Virginia, then, merely a happy fiction,
manufactured to entertain dinner
partner? If so, it was good "Good
afternoon" he said; 81 understand
Georgian silver here. May see itY"
"Certainlyw Dorothy led the way
to a table on which was an array that
made Alex fairly jump with astonish-
ment
ITS splendidl" he cried. "Whose
was it2 Where did 1t come from? /
never saw anything like It."
"The silver is mine-all / have. But
the boys must go to school, and It
must go. l won't let anyone else sell
1t. That was one stipulation I made
to Berni, that / must approve the pur-
chaser. When anyone else comes
along, / double-treble the price"
"But l must have I'll Do you ap.
prove Of mep
She nodded.
But the collection isn't complete.
There is something else that will have
to go with 1t before l take It."
"What is thatT
"You. | always know what wnnt
instantly, and / could have told YOU
that last night. You're the loyellest
girl I've ever known" lie reached for
her hand.
Dorothy did not draw n ovay b,,4