The Adventures of Bobby Orde

that the Ordes dine with her, and afterward take in this function. The hop proper began at ni

d with small, square and round tables arranged between numerous, slender, white plaster pillars. At the base of each pillar were still smaller serving tables each sup

ys to balance centrifugal force; they charged the swinging doors at full speed, and when Bobby held his breath in anticipation of the crash, something deft and mysterious happened at the hem of their black skirts and the doors flew open as though commanded by a magic shibboleth. They were tall and sho

eling rather dressed up. By and by their other playmates joined them. The lights were lit,

rs were arranged in a row along the wall; the floor, newly waxed, shone like glass. A small upright piano manipulated by an elderl

ned this game eagerly, and had great fun. But in a moment the music struck up

ng away in the hopping waltz of the period. O

chairs ranged along the wall. After a minute or so Mrs.

Bobby?" asked Mr

lied Bobby in a

ecause he happened to be in the circle of it. She was sorry he did not dance; but she loved it, and just now she could think of nothing else but the enjoyment of it. Bobby could not understand that there was nothing personal in this. He saw, with a pang, that Gerald danced supremely well; that Morris romped through the steps with a cheerful hearty abandon not

nsformations which the night wrought in the most ordinary and accustomed things attracted him strongly. But now he was too conscious of a smarting spirit. Mr. and Mrs. Orde were talking busily about som

the ta

blurted o

es

learn how

eyed him. In the starlight his round

rde, "Don't you remember mamma wanted you to go t

ncing school open

t much before Chr

ompleted the next day. He went with some apprehension to ask Celia to walk again. She had seemed to him so aloof the night before, that he could hardly be

dance this winter will you dance wi

ourse," s

dance with

es

me more than you do

pond

. She paused, her eyes vague. "

learn," s

s of fun,

n one side were the sand-hills, on the other the blue, preoccupied river. Across the stream was another facade of piles, unbroken save for the little boatslips where the Life Saving men had their station. A strong swe

eir feet and watched the tiny scalloped blue wavelets danc

ters, you don't f

e favour he had been vouchs

ittle girl," he said delibe

uckled and

t side by side looking

ut turning his head, "I l

id Celia

readth. After a little they arose and re

ntinued to play together and the excursions were not intermitted. There seemed to be nothi

our he and Celia drew closer in a sweet secret, intimacy that nevertheless demanded no outer symbol. When he spoke to her of the simplest things, or she to him, he experienced a warm, cosy drawing near, as though beneath the commonplace remark lay something hidden and subtle to which each must bend the ear of the spirit ge

the upper left-hand corner of which were embossed marvellous doves, wonderful flowers and miraculous tangles of scroll-work in colour. These he printed with Celia's name and address. Near the wharf and railroad station stood a small booth from whi

ould care for it. It is cheap-looking. She has several

d the taste not to care for the moonstone bangle, but, like all the rest, she accepted it with genuine delight because Bobby gave it. She even wore it. These were the principal transactions of the kind; but anything Bobby particularly fancied he brought her. Shortly she became possessed of a bewildering collection consisting variously of large glass marbles with a twist of coloured glass inside; two

the end of August came. One day

g," she said, "I've

ing?" as

hook her he

somewhere and I'll

o the shaded street on whi

?" demanded

ow," Celia announced mourn

stoppe

ome!" he

said

each other till nex

said

e or-or--" Bobby felt the

said

wallowe

ou sorry?"

d Celia quiet

'm going to do!" cri

the catastrophe being accepted, t

me letters, won't y

write

And you'll send me your picture,

urred Celia; "and mamma has them

ered Bobby, "if I have to get it

ee," sa

again slowly be

eet; he looked back. He

asked, "may

id Celia

over and his lips just touched her cool smooth cheek.