The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-07-10
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ONO GIRL in her senses, my dear,
IN will acknowledge her engage
ment In the middle Of the season, "
Madge Forester said, pulling up her
furs, putting down her cup ON a
Beneres Tabuouret, and reaching for
a Nienese bouche in a silver dish
What makes you think Fan is en-
gaged?" a tail, slender girl said in
an Indifferent voice, securing with a
long, gold pin a bunch of Parma
,iolets among the sweet-scentcd laces
Of her tea gown.
why, the conspicuous way i'm
which she flashed her solitaire at US.
Its a perfect beauty, too. Then, just
as we were leaving, Gordon Huntley
walked in, and there was no mistak-
ing their elaborate Indifference TO
each other. 1t was positively chilling.
When ] went out ! found / had left
my card case on Fans table, so
turned back TO get it,"
Pretty Mrs. Forester paused and
laughed gleefully.
"Of course you found it in your
muff?7 Alice Castleton, the slender
girl with beautiful brown eyes and
Venetian hair, suggested.
"How in the world did you guess?
That is exactly where it was. Funny
wasn't il?
"Well, when raised the portiere,
their heads were close together and
they were talking so earnestly they
neither of them saw me at all. So
had beat a hasty and discreet retreat,
as you may suppose. Oh, yes, they
are positively engaged.
rs that some Of your grand
mothers lace, Allie? It's perfectly
exquisite. What a lucky creature to
be able to go to ancient wardrobes
and presses, and pull out all those
beautiful laces. Carl says I'm running
him buying mine. You know laces
are one of my hobbies, and a woman
can't live without them in these ex-
tIayagant days. l told that husband
Of mine it really is not my fault if
the horrid shopmen ask such abomi-
nable prices. OF course I'll see you
tonight at the Cammerons'."
Mrs. Forester and her Felix gown
fitted away, and as it was too late for
other callers, Alice settled down in a
big armchair, and, leaning back. set
to work to face the silly situation.
Messenger says he was told TO
wait for an answer, Miss" the butler
said, coming in and handing a note.
II read:
My dear Miss Alice. n you have MOTH
Ing better TO do this afternoon. let me
take you out in my machine. II drives
well and I will promise faithfully 20 bring
you back IN time for dinner. I will be
round for you at G. The disappointment
would be cruel should you refuse. Yours,
"HUNTLEY."
Alice flushed botly, laughed, and
tossed the note in the fire, on which
John, the butler, was piling logs.
Then, settling back among her
cushions, she resumed the study Of
the social problem, which had been
interrupted.
Il believe the boy is waiting, Miss"
John suggested after a lengthy pause.
Alice made up her mind and acted
accordingly.
Her refusal might be construed as
result of pique.
She again flushed hotly, sprang up,
and dashed of a few lines.
'Dinner to-day IS rather more impor-
tant than usual. as Eva and her hus-
band Ohey are just back from Paris, you
know. and a lot OF stupid people are TO
be here. At any rate feel sure you will
bring back what remains OF me. Faith
fully. ALICE CAsTLETON.'
A short while later a very hand
some girl was helped into an automo-
bile and the driver, looking suppress
edly happy, and giving orders to the
groom, who had brought it up TO the
front steps of a big. stately man
sion to wait for it, sprang in and
sped down the avenue.
"What glorious evening"" he com
mented namely, and with ring Of
keen exhilaration in his voice, while
thinking the girl at his side was a
thousand times more so.
Alice, flushed and indignant, had
learnt, during her four seasons, how
TO chat brilliantly, and laugh uncon-
cernedly, quite irrespective of any in
ternal storms or disappointments
which might be playing havoc.
"a woman never looks so well as
in furs and a well-ftting suit. A hand
some woman.- Of course remarked
Gordon, speeding down shell road,
which led into the country.
Il thonght YOU said at Mrs. Gather
- -
woesx's that she ought TO live in 9
ball gown for that very reason Alice
reminded him.
you certainly were stunning that
night. Absolutely perfect Gordon
asserted. entirely unabashed, while
guiding his machine in and out
among the Increasing holes and hol-
lows Of theiroad. ---r
They were running past scattered
houses, florists farms, pastures and
cattle, and merging into the country
along a solitary winding road.
Alice drew her straight brows into
a slight frown and bit her lips.