Produced by David Widger
By Winston Churchill
Miss Virginia Carvel came down the steps in her riding-habit. And Ned,who had been waiting in the street with the horses, obsequiously held hishand while his young mistress leaped into Vixen's saddle. Leaving thedarkey to follow upon black Calhoun, she cantered off up the street,greatly to the admiration of the neighbor. They threw open their windowsto wave at her, but Virginia pressed her lips and stared straight ahead.She was going out to see the Russell girls at their father's countryplace on Bellefontaine Road, especially to proclaim her detestation for acertain young Yankee upstart. She had unbosomed herself to Anne Brinsmadeand timid Eugenie Renault the day before.
It was Indian summer, the gold and purple season of the year. Frost hadcome and gone. Wasps were buzzing confusedly about the eaves again,marvelling at the balmy air, and the two Misses Russell, Puss and Emily,were seated within the wide doorway at needlework when Virginiadismounted at the horseblock.
"Oh, Jinny, I'm so glad to see you," said Miss Russell. "Here's Elise
Saint Simon from New Orleans. You must stay all day and to-night."
"I can't, Puss," said Virginia, submitting impatiently to Miss Russell'swarm embrace. She was disappointed at finding the stranger. "I only came—to say that I am going to have a birthday party in a few weeks. You mustbe sure to come, and bring your guest."
Virginia took her bridle from Ned, and Miss Russell's hospitable facefell.
"You're not going?" she said.
"To Bellegarde for dinner," answered Virginia.
"But it's only ten o'clock," said Puss. "And, Jinny?"
"Yes."
"There's a new young man in town, and they do say his appearance is verystriking—not exactly handsome, you know, but strong-looking."
"He's horrid!" said Virginia. "He's a Yankee."
"How do you know?" demanded Puss and Emily in chorus.
"And he's no gentleman," said Virginia.
"But how do you know, Jinny?"
"He's an upstart."
"Oh. But he belongs to a very good Boston family, they say."
"There are no good Boston families," replied Virginia, with conviction,as she separated her reins. "He has proved that. Who ever heard of a goodYankee family?"
"What has he done to you, Virginia?" asked Puss, who had brains.
Virginia glanced at the guest. But her grievance was too hot within herfor suppression.
Do you remember Mr. Benbow's Hester, girls? The one I always said Iwanted. She was sold at auction yesterday. Pa and I were passing theCourt House, with Clarence, when she was put up for sale. We crossed thestreet to see what was going on, and there was your strong-looking Yankeestanding at the edge of the crowd. I am quite sure that he saw me asplainly as I see you, Puss Russell."
"How could he help it?" said Puss, slyly.
Virginia took no notice of the remark.
"He heard me ask Pa to buy her. He heard Clarence say that he would bidher in for me. I know he did. And yet he goes in and outbids Clarence,and buys her himself. Do you think any gentleman would do that, PussRussell?"
"He bought her himself!" cried the astonished Miss Russell. "Why Ithought that all Bostonians were A