Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-02-05

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 fernery 10 the drawing
rooms this winter, and then it takes
such lot of money to dress deco Z
ly-its awful, the prices one has TO
pay for gowns-so Ken very senslply
sent mamma a check and went right
out to the Pacific coast. Ken loves
work"
Ahgnon's pretty mouth stretched
slightly in a suppressed yawn and as
she rocked the wind blew her tilmsy
gown, whose elaborate simplicity be-
token the touch Of a skilled, if eNpen-
siye, professional, showing dainty
/ white kid shoes and white, open
worked. lace-inserted stockings, for
| Mignon was unsurpassably chic in her
/ gowHing.
"The fan is delightful, but itmeans
| lot of hard work. Mamma and l 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, cherle
wrote Ken that if didn't have hand
some new gown for that night l posi-
lively would not 60"
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.
How fond he was Of music. Does he
still sing? His voice was so beautiful
she said, stretching up TO break a half
blown rose from its stem.
"Sing? How on earth can Ken sing
when he has to potter around that hor-
rid machinery morning, noon and
night? He looks awfully old His hair |
is turning gray So ridiculous! ken's |
lust a little over 30. You ought 70 see /
his working suit. OyeralIs and a cap. /
Fancy He sent us his photo taken
while he was in the refinery. But we /
tore it mp. Mamma was furious. Did 7 |
show you the last one he had taken in /
Cuba? It's dreadful, because he had /
lust been sick with fever, but that |
didn't prevent his working. He says /
he can't afford to be sick, and J believe |
that's the best way to get well any /
how. just 60 ahead and not mind the
''You mean 10 say your brother was
i'll and kept at his work?" Blanche
asked. a 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 / need Why, year before last he
had rheumatism; he caught cold out in
state. Wen, he took posi-
tion 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
leth's picture in Blanche's hand. too
absorbed in the approach Of a hand
.ome auto to notice the look on her
friends face.
"We've come for you. Miss Mignon
We are going out to the lake" called
tut the driver, as the vehicle stopped
before the front gate and lawn Of tn, ,
beautiful old house.
sect a wrap and come on Mignon.
It's such a delightful evening. Wen
AXE supper out there I'm chaperon.
Ven be back by 12"
kissing her careleSsly. with CAV
words of excuse, Mignon hurried in
loors for the automobile coat of honi-
ton and chiffon, SO skilfully made by
he 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,
III aglow with late summer flowers,
ind passed out into the broad avenue,
where electric lights were shining like
stars.