Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-12-07
Copyright. 1904. by
Edward j. Clode


IL will not lie very entertaining, l
fear. but the young people will have
plenty to tell you"
For goodness sake, Eta. don't
class yourself among the old fogies."
cried Mr.. Trail. Look at me-fifty-
FIVE and lively as n grasshopper."
please Is Mamie an me 'vited.
toof" whispered Elsie to Pyne.
"You two chicks will be curled up
AMONG the feathers at 8 o'clock" he
told her. Don't you go and worry
bout any dinner parties. The sooner
you go to sleep the quicker you'll wake
up In the morning, and then we're go
Ing out to hunt-for what do you
! thinkT'
Candles" said Mamie
"Toys." cried Elsie, going one better.
"Were just going to find two Of the
loveliest and frilliest and pinkiest
checked dolls you ever saw. They'll
have blue eyes as big rs yours, Elsie,
and their lips will be as red and round
as yours, Mamie. They'll talk and say
and say all sorts Of things when you
pinch their little waists. So you two
hurry up after you've had your supper.
say your prayers and close your eyes,
and when you open them you'll be able
to yell for me to find that doll store
mighty sharp"
"Say, Charlie" cried his uncle, II
never heard you reel off screw like
that before. Now, II didn't know
you were a confirmed young bachelor
would begin to have suspicious. Any
how here's the hotel"
Two hours later, when uncle and
nephew met in the private sitting room,
where busy walters were making prep
Rrations for dinner, Trail drew the
younger man to the privacy Of a win
/ Tow recess.
Charlie" he confided. affairs are in
tangle. Do you realize that my mar
riage was fixed for todayT
"That's So" was the laconic answer.
| "Of course the wedding was post
poned by fate. and, to add to my per-
plexit1es, there is a new attitude on
Mrs. vansittart's part. 1t puzzles me.
We have been friends for some years,
as you know. It seemed to be per-
fectly natural outcome Of our mutual
liking for each other that we should
ngree to pass our declining years to-
gether. She Is very beautiful and
accomplished woman, but she makes
no secret Of her age, and the match
was suitable one in every respect"
you can see as far through stone
wall as most people"
Pyne knew that his uncle's sharp
eyes were regarding him steadily, but
he continued to gaze into the street.
There was moments hesitation be-
fore Mr.. Trail growled:
"You young dog, you have seen 1t
too. Mrs. vansittart avoids me. Some
thing has happened. She has changed
her mind. Do you think she has heard
about EdithY
Edith! Oh, Of course-Enid must be
christened afresh. No; that isn't 1t.
It would not be fair to you to say that
I think you are mistaken; but, from
what know of the lady. feel sure
she will meet you fairly when the time
comes"
"Ah, You agree with me, thenT'
| I'm admitting a doubt-in advising
the delay you have already suggested
yes"
''She told you I had written2'
"More than that. She asked me If I
was aware Of its explanation"
"And you saidT'
Exactly what said to you. You
are both sensible people. I can hardly
imagine that any misunderstanding
can exist after an hours talk"
Mr.. Trail looked at his watch. a
carriage stopped at the hotel
Here's Stanhope and his mother"
cried Pyne. So his uncle hurried off
to receive bis guests.
Lady Margaret was a well preserved
woman Of aristocratic pose, but her
serenity was disturbed. Although the
land was ringing with the fame Of her
sons exploit, and her mothers heart
was throbbing with pride. there had
been fearful hours Of vigil for her.
Not without struggle had she aban-
doned her hope that he would make a
well endowed match.
When Constance and Enid arrived
she was very stately and dignifed,
scrutini1ing, with all a mothers incre-
dulity, the girl who had caused her to
capitulate.
But Enid scored a prompt success.
She swept aside the almost unconscious
reserve with which Jacks mother
greeted her.
You knew" she murmured wistful-
". I'VE did not. They would not tell
us. How you must have suffered until
the news came that he had escaped"
Lady Margaret drew the timid girl
nearer and kissed her.
my DEAR" she whispered, II am be-
ginning to understand why Jack loves
you. He is my only son, but you are
worthy Of him."
Mrs. Vansittart's appearance created
timely diversion. She had obtained
black lace dress. It accumulated the
settled pallor Of her face, but she was
perfectly self possessed and uttered
nice womanly compliment to the two
girls, who wore white demitoilet cos
tunes.
You look delightful" she said.
when all Is said and done we women
should never despise our wardrobe.
That marvellous lighthouse had one
grave defect In my eyes. It was
dreadfully callous to feminine require
ments."
Here was woman rejuvenated, re-
stored to her natural surroundings.
They accounted for the subtle change
In her by the fact that they had seen
her hitherto under unfavorable condi-
tons. Even Pyne. not wholly pleased
with her in the past, found his critical
judgment yielding when she apologized
sweetly to Lady Margaret for her
hardness.
There were two children saved from
the wreck. Poor little mites, how they
reveled in a hot bath! l could not
leave them until they were asleep"
II needed two hot baths" said Pyne.
mo. dug me out Of the shell, and No.
helped me to recognize myself"
During dinner there was much to tell
and to hear. Mrs. Vansittart said lit
tie. save to interpose a word now and