The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-09-03
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us good to see you again, Phyl
u.s. exclaimed Lazy Elmsworth. as
she held her sister at arms length,
and examined her critically, "but how
you have changed"
my dear Clare" laughed Miss Ora
ham, after five years absence you
surely did not expect to find me still
all arms and legs and indecently big
feet!'
"Of course, it's ridiculous; but,
somehow, l did not realize that you
would be quite grown up"
Oh, my dear, l grew up almost
directly you left. Mother soon be-
came alive to the fact of my posi-
bilities, and managed to get in the
thin end OF the wedge first by dining
down when there were thirteen. and
that sort of thing. In fact. looking
back, I'm inclined to think that the
'hRlf-out stage-neither fish, flesh,
pbr good red herring, you know
Is quite the jolliest time girls ever
have, If they could only appreciate
it. The only other state to be COM
Pared to it for freedom and general
responsibility is. oh, Clare,
I'm so sorry; 1 beg your pardon. !"
The girls face flushed crimson as
her eyes rested on her sisters black
gown.
you were going to say widowhood.
I suppose?" replied Lady Elmsworth,
quietly.
Forgive me, Glare, II"
Lady Elmsworth shrugged her
shoulders slightly
There's nothing to forgive, Phyl.
never was a humbug. was II"
Phyllis Grahams gray eyes widen
ID. But before she could speak her
sister went on:
you seem to have had a very
Jolly time, as you put it, all along
the line. l think. You seem to do
everything and go everywhere"
DON'T" exclaimed the girl. "You
talk like mother. Three seasons is
evidently the end of ones tether. At
ter that time one is expected to range
oneself and relieve ones own people
Of their responsibility concerning
one, and especially ones bills"
But / thought you were delighted
about Your engagement, Phyl." said
Lady Elmsdorf Il thought 1t was a
case of mutual alteration"
"Oh! III EN- a toujours un qui alme
ct un qul Sc laisse Amer isn't
there?"
"Phyllis!"
please don't be sentimental. Clare.
Did not much the same thing happen
to you? You were just twenty.
weren't you when you got engaged
to poor old Elmsworth. l was too
Young to be taken into your conf
ience then, but-well. you pretty well
confessed the same just now. Peter
was not precisely the sort of indi-
yidual to turn girls head I expect
mother had you into her boudoir. and
talked to you about the whole duty
Of woman, and. in your case. of the
pleasures and position Of the am
bassador's wife. even at the dullest
court in Europe We were both
brought up In the way we should go.
and so six months later you were
Lady Elmsworth, tasting Of the afore-
said pleasures i'm Madrid In less
Time than that I shall be Mrs. Mark
Franklin, with more money than /
know what TO do with and a charm
ing husband into the bargain"
Come. that's better / am very
sager to sec my brothertn- aw-elect.
You have not"
Phyllis laughed outright
mo. my dear ] have not. one
Ices not wear ones nance's counter.
'eit presentment near ones heart
nowadays. But possess your soul in
patience. told Mark he might como
N presently, and you would give him
some tea. 1 wonder If you'll like
lim2"
Phyllis sat back a little and glanced
'Ound her sisters room.
Hell like your room. at any rate.
It's wonderfully pretty and restful.
his room Of yours, Clare. and Il suits
you exactly. Yes. / think Mark will
Ike you too; he'll appreciate your
tense Of the fitness Of things. Mark
8 exceedingly artistic
"Yes?"
| cts rather a WEAKNESS To- the spirit
occasionally" continued Phyllis, with