The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-04
THE FILTRATION OF ANNE
BY RITA KELLEY.

The delayed invitation of Janet Fairs
house party almost caused a rupture in
the Halliwell family; so intense was the
scramble to get frocks that matched the
shoes, girdles TO match the frOcks. with
sufficient everything into the travelling
bags and Anne off to the station for the
I50 train. At the last minute she snatched
from her writing desk a few pages torn
from a magazine and stuffed them into
her handbag as she hurried down 10 the
cab. Janet had sent her the story a
fortnight ago and the success or failure
Of the weekend for her depended upon
whether or not she waded through Il be-
fore she reached Brentwood. Janet had
set opinions about some things. among
them her love for conventional Anne and
an overweening desire 30 provide htera-
ture, much diversified by commentaries,
for her best beloved.
Anne made the train. AS she hurried
down the platform and climbed into the
car feeling of wild good humor pos
sessed her The old. Cramping demure-
ness that savOred Of self-cOnsciousness
in her personality had been lost in the
excitement of the last hour. She found
I
ing desire to do something rash.
She didn't know what, exactly. Then
it flashed over her. No more old ladies,
OF women with children. or nice elderly
men; she shuddered at thought of the in
Vulnerable times she had asked to share
their seats-nO. This time she was free
from tradition. She would pick a winner,
With brave determination she gripped her
bags and set out down the aisle in quest
Of him.
He was at the extreme end Of the car.
Big and brown. and he looked the part.
The little query was said the alacrit0us
moving of bags ended, and Anne sank
into the mans place by the window. fac
ing him. with a tiny feeling of exuita-
ton
He was a winner sure enough. hand
some, and with the most charming man
ner imaginable. Anne dubbed him a
Harvard man when DE lifted his hat. they
We're ali so delightfully."- gallant She
was not in the least embarrassed by his
Intermittent gaze which was timed, as
only a winner knows how. TO meet her
vagrant chances. She knew her hat was
immeasurably becoming with the pink
rose and soft plume against her brown
ish hair also. that her blue fox set was
the latest cry in furs, and her gloves and
boots correct It occurred 10 her pres
emily, however, that she ought to convince
the man OF her complete disinteredness in
choosing him for a travelling companion.
Accordingly. she drew the portion of
magazine from her handbag and settled
herself comfortably. There We're six pages
of it, and she knew that, providing she
read leisWely. il would last until she
reached Brentwood. Janet had a third
virtue, she considered. specializing sub
consciously, with eyes fixed on the flow
ing landscape, over a long look which she
had just interrupted-weTe his eyes brown
or gray or green2-Oh; JaHets virtue,
Well it was providing literature for trav-
cling young ladies who were in danger OF
reverting without warning to embarrass-
ing. original self-Consci0usRess.
Janet had scrubbed in her bold chirog-
raphy wherever an interlineation was pos
sible-fond, foolish things which Anne
soon forgot TO read in her absorption in
the story. She loved a horse. and this
was a hero handled with the sympathetic
touch OF a lover OF horses Tears sprang
to her eyes, to be succeeded by a smile
| q low laugh or strained intentness and
pain. She finished the story as the train
whistled for Brentwood, with an over
whelming desire to lean over and tell the
man facing her that it was the greatest
story ever written; that she wanted 10 tell
him about it; that she knew he would
understand.
Carried outside herself. she leaned for
ward, impulsively her lips parted. eyes
glowing, about to speak. Presto, Her
mind spTaug like a trap-and she bent
over her bags instead, embarrassedly PIE
pairing to flee. She gave him the feetest
of glances as she arose, and he looked
steadily at her while a suspicion of a
smile - appreciative and friendly came
into his eyes. She had the story with
her, but, suddenly following an impulse.
she dropped II as a thing Of no value
upon the seat
Janet Fair was in a state of woe The
lion of the house party had not mate
rallied. Frantic telephoning and wires
disclosed the fact that he had left town
for SilOX-neKt station beyond Brentwood
on the $50 train and had been seen no
more The Fair country place stood mid
way between the two stations used i'm
partially by the Fair guests. and a coupe
had arrived at both stations. one bring
ing Anne Halliwell from Brentwood, the
last woman guest.
He is yours. dear" said Janet. draw
ing Anne out into the chill moonlight on
the little balcony. Put this shawl over
your shoulders-your gown is so sheer
and loyely-and promise me, if ne be-
comes manifest alive or dead that you
viii smile upon him.
why don't you take him yourself?"
laughed Anne.
Cant Never sees me. Told me. con-
fidentially. that he adored the svelte.
dreamy girl made Of repose and inner re-
serves and I handed him over to you.
You'll have to take him bodily, for Gladys
WhitcOmb has sharpened up her teeth
and nails ready to spring and drag him
of ="
But, Janet" protested Anne. Il never
went in for a man in my Hfe-I couldn't
do tits so dead common-Td hate my
self"
I'm a deep-dyed yillainr' growled
Janet, striking an attitude. You blessed
lamb, don't I know your proclivities ?
Rack your naive brain for a simple and
good reason why I sent you belated in
vitation; why 1 expected Aubrey Church
III on the 1850 train; why"
"W-was-?"
Anne started in CONSERVATION, lost her
balance against the loV railing, and was