The Pageland journal. [volume] (Pageland, S.C.) 1911-1978, 1917-04-18
GEORGIAN SILVER
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

beside him with 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, I 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 a 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 ap-
preciate the fact that as the best
catch In the matrimonial sea, he was
apt to be offered bait in generous quan-
titles and Of infinite variety.
Dorothy looked around the dining
with a smile. "I can't believe I'm
awake" she said.
"No?" 1t was an invitation to 60
on.
mo. They say that sometimes q
wish Is father to a thought. Maybe
I've Just wished for something like this
70 often that now I think It's true.
Maybe I'm not here at all-only think
ing ! am"
what does It matter7 Maybe I'm
thinking all this too"
"I was just thinking" she remarked
In the interval before the soup, "that
It's a shame Bob couldn't be here. He'd
love 1t so. But Aunt Jane said he
couldn't come, that's all there was to
it. Aunt Jane said 1t 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
dears; 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 silver2" he asked. "Tve
been admiring those Georgian candle
sticks. The pattern Is very rare"
tive 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 Southerners. may part with their
homes, their clothes. and even their
souls, but their silver-never. I 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 to-to Ru," said the
ziff nh6ny 1whereH Hdppen to know
you may find beautiful collection of
Georgian silver. 1t is at Berni's, on
Fifth avenue. 1t all came from one
family. and 1t 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
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.
II thought I could tell you. but I
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 a great
deal of unhappiness, he had dscov-
cred, and suddenly he had desire to
chase the clouds away from the seri-
Gus dark eyes, and to see the dimpie
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
garb OF 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 I see it?"
Certainly" Dorothy led the wav
to table on which was an array that
made Alex fairly jump with astonisb.
ment.
Its splendid" he cried. "Wbose
was it3 Where did 1t come from?
never saw anything like It."
The silver is mine-all have. But
the boys must 60 to school. and n
must go. l won't let anyone else sell
IL. Ihat was one stipulation / made
10 berni, that l must approve the Dur.
chaser. When anyone else comes
along l double-treble the price"
But ] must have FRI M uo,,