She was
the life of every little group of which she formed a part. Wherever
she appeared, mirth and laughter soon followed. The young girls in the
house began to acknowledge her as a natural leader, the boyish young
fellows to adore her, and the maturer men to discover that she could
hold her own with them in conversation, while another class learned,
to their chagrin, that she would not flirt. For every walking
expedition started she was ready with her alpenstock, and the experts
in the bowling alley found a strong, supple competitor, with eye and
hand equally true. Graydon, as far as his preoccupation permitted,
saw all this with renewed perplexity. She now appeared to him as
a beautiful, vigorous girl, with healthful instincts and a large
appetite for enjoyment.
Wednesday morning was cool and cloudy, and a large party was forming
to climb to Spy Rock. Graydon was longing for more activity, and since
the day was so propitious, Miss Wildmere consented to go. Of course
Madge was in readiness, and in charming costume for a walk. The moment
they were on the steep path he had to admit that she appeared the
superior of Miss Wildmere. The one owed her bloom to artificial and
metropolitan life; the other had gone to nature, and now acted as
if her foot were on her native heath.
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