And presently his opportunity arrived. Mrs. Severn had gone in the

house to take a nap, and the minister had been called away to see a

sick man. The girl continued to study her little book: "I wish you would come and amuse me," he said in the voice of an

interesting invalid.

The girl looked up and smiled absently: "I'm sorry," she said, "but I have to go to my Sunday-school class in a

few minutes, and I was just getting my lesson ready. Would you like me

to get you something to read?"

"No," he answered crossly. He was not used to being crossed in any

desire by a lady, "I want you to talk to me. Bother the Sunday-school!

Give them a vacation to-day and let them go fishing. They'll be

delighted, I'm sure. You have a wonderful foot. Do you know it? You

must be a good dancer. Haven't you a victrola here? We might dance if

only my foot weren't out of commission."

"I don't dance, Mr. Shafton, and it is the Sabbath," she smiled

indulgently with her eyes on her book.

"Why don't you dance? I could teach you easily. And what has the

Sabbath got to do with it?"

"But I don't care to dance. It doesn't appeal to me in the least. And

the Sabbath has everything to do with it. If I did dance I would not do

it to-day."

"But why?" he asked in genuine wonder.

"Because this is the day set apart for enjoying God and not enjoying

ourselves."

He stared.

"You certainly are the most extraordinary young woman I ever met," he

said admiringly, "Did no one ever tell you that you are very

beautiful."

She gave him the benefit of her beautiful eyes then in a cold amused

glance: "Among my friends, Mr. Shafton, it is not considered good form to say

such things to a lady of slight acquaintance." She rose and gathered up

her book and hat that lay on the floor beside her chair, and drew

herself up till she seemed almost regal.

Laurie Shafton stumbled to his feet. He was ashamed. He felt almost as

he had felt once when he was caught with a jag on being rude to a

friend of his mother's: "I beg your pardon," he said gracefully, "I hope you will believe me, I

meant no harm."

"It is no matter," said the girl graciously, "only I do not like it.

Now you must excuse me. I see my class are gathering."




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