The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-10-23

the depth of Blanche's dark eyes,
shadows of longing and patient wait
ing, which intensified as the years
went by.
And this year?" she asked, SCHOOL
ing herself to a calm indifference.
This year? No, indeed Ken says
he can't afford the railroad trip.
Mamma wrote and told him we want
| ed to add d fernery to the drawing
rooms this winter, and then it takes
such 4 lot of money to dress dectit-
| ly-it's awful, the prices one has to
pay for gowns-so Ken very sensibly
sent ma NINA a check and went right
| work"
Mignon's pretty mouth stretched
slightly in a suppressed yawn, and as
| she rocked the wind blew her Aimsy
gown, whose elaborate simplicity be-
token the touch of 4 skilled. if eXpen-
sive, professional showing dainty
white kid shoes and white, OPEN
worked. lace-insertod stockings, for
Mignon was unsurpassably chic III her
gowning.
The fall is delightful, but it means a
lot of hard work Mamma and have
been shopping for two weeks and
spending hours at Celeste's, and now
we find the drawing room furniture has
to be gone over before ! give my early
winter reception. Then. too, the opera
begins so early-too early. You must
come with us to the opening, cherie. l
wrote Ken that if didn't have a hand
some new gown for that night posi-
lively would not go"
The shadows deepened in the soft
brown eyes, and an added melancholy
swept over the clear cut profile turned
to catch the evening breeze and the
pale light of the rising moon.
! Glow fond he was of music. Does he
still sing? His voice was so beautiful"
she said, stretching up to break half
blown rose from its stem.
Sing? How on earth can Ken sing
when he has to potter aroundthat hor-
rid machinery morning, noon and
night? He looks awfully old. His hair
| is turning gray So ridiculous. Ken's
! Just a little over so. You ought to see
his working suit. Overalls and a cap.
Fancy. He sent us his photo taken
while he was in the refinery. But we
tore it up Mamma was furious. Did
show you the last one he had taken in
! Cuba? It's dreadful. because he had
| just been sick with fever. but that
didn't prevent his working. He says
he cant afford to be sick, and believe
that's the best way to get well any.
how. just go ahead and not mind the
sickness"
"You mean to say your brother was
i'll and kept at his worl1?" Blanche
asked. flame of color sweeping over
her face, her eyes blazing with grief
and indignation.
"Why, you ought to know Ken well
enough to know he wouldn't stop work
for a silly attack of fever, particular.
ly when he knows how much mamma
and I need. Why, year before last he
had rheumatism; he caught cold out in
Washington state. Well, he took posi-
ton offered him while he could hardly
walk; and he was right, because
Charlie Duncan wanted it. and would
have gotten it if Ken hadn't gotten
there in time. I'll get you his photo"
With lazy grimace Mignon swept into
the library, and returning put Ken
neth's picture in Blanche's hand, too
absorbed in the approach of a hand
some auto to notice the look on her
friends face.
"We've come for you, Miss Mignon.
We are going out to the lake" called
out the driver, as the vehicle stopped
before the front gate and lawn of the
beautiful old house.
Get a wrap and come on Mignon.
It's such delightful evening. Wen
take supper out there. I'm chaperon.
Well be back by 49,"
Kissing her carelessly, with gay
words of excuse, Mignon hurried in
doors for the automobile coat of honi-
ton and chiffon, so skillfully made by
the fingers of Felicie, her French maid
without noticing that Blanche still
held the photograph of Kenneth as she
went down the steps into the garden
all aglOw with late summer flowers
and passed out into the broad avenue
where electric lights were shining like
stars.