The Washington times., 1902-04-06
In the Shadow of the Sails
By HATTIE LUMMIS.

" HAT Miss Delamore's Yachting
party would prove a success was
L foregone conclusion. Miss Dala-
more was herself success. and
all her undertakings bore the imprint of
her conquering personality. Those hon
ored by her invitations were in The habit
Of accepting promptly, while those not so
fortunate were properly envious and cast
down.
Accordingly. when for this particular
occasion she received regrets. and those
too, from Kitty Crawford, on whom she
had principally relied for the entertain
ment Of her guests, Miss Dalamore simply
set her lips together with Napoleonic
firnness and drove at once to Kitty $
home TO enquire into the matter
She found the young lady in the garden
lansuidly occupying a hammock and at
tired in a negligee gown which the male
observer would have thought enchanting.
but which Miss Dalamore was too alb
sorbed TO notice
AS for you not going, my dear" she
said plunging into the conversation with
her usual impetuosity, that's all non
sense, you know. It's got to be arranged
somehow. I've depended on having you
sing. and, besides, the yacht is a perfect
dream now that it has been reitted
What's the matter, anyway, Kitty"
AS she hurled this question at her
friend she bent upon her a controlling
gaze such as the hypnotist fixes On his
prospective victim.
But the other girl was as shrewd as
she and as self-possessed.
"Oh, l don't know, Lou" she answered,
with a carelessness that was almost too
elaborate. I'm rather used up, and, be-
sides, the sea breeze burns one to a
crisp. especially the nose. And consider
ing the tilt OF mine you know / can't be
too careful about giving it undue promi-
nence."
What absurdity-from Kitty Craw-
ford!" thought Miss DeIamore; but she
only said: Nonsense, Wear a veil I'm
going to have the joIliest sort of crowd,
Kitty ! want you TO meet Miss Hunting
ton, of Baltimore; she's really distract
ingly pretty. And Mr.. Jack Walford-let's
see. DO you know him?"
Miss Crawford, lowering her inscrutable
in question at her uncle's seaside resi-
dence. She neglected to add however,
that they had Immediately and mutually
fallen in love, a state OF affairs culminat-
Ing in an engagement after six weeks ac-
quaintance, and that just a month before
this very morning they had quarreled ir-
retrievably and parted forever.
Nor did she mention that in breaking
this brief engagement she had come as
near to breaking her heart as a welI-con-
Quoted nineteenth century girl ever comes
TO so ill-adyised a proceeding.
Not being given to indiscriminate conf
dences, Kitty referred to none of these
things, but their recollection may account
for her saying in a very languid voice.
Just as her friend rose TO go, Don't ex-
pect me tomorrow, Lou; bat If the day is
lovely and l happen to feel just like it,
may come
Whereupon Miss Delamore, interpreting
the remark an unconditional surren-
der. kissed her enthusiastically and went
away in triumph.
But when Kitty came on board the
yacht next morning there was not in her
manner the faintest trace of listlessness
OF languor. In her blue yachting suit
with iaunty sailor hat perched carefully
on one side. she was the very embodiment
of girlish animation.
Her advent was hailed with an enthp-
siasm universal. except in the case of one
breath, THE devil! She here?" and he