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 supys 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.