The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-04-26
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It's good to see you again, Phyl
lis exclaimed Lacy 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
feeti"
'Of course, it's ridiculous; but,
somehow, l did not realize that you
would be quite grown up"
'Oh, my dear, 1 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
'half-out' stage-neither fish, flesh,
nor 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 CON-
pared to it for freedom and general
responsibility is. oh. Clare.
I'm so sorry; beg your pardon"
The girls face flushed crimson as
her eyes rested on her sisters black
gown.
you were going to say widowhood,
/ suppose?" replied Lady Ellsworth,
quietly.
Forgive me, Glare, IL"
Lady Elmsworth shrugged her
shoulders slightly.
There's nothing to forgive, Rhyl.
l never was humbug, was T."
Phyllis Graham's gray eyes widen
ed. But before she could speak her
sister went on:
"You seem to have had 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 l thought you were delighted
about your engagement, Phyl," said
Lady Elmsdorf. 81 thought it was a
case of mutual alteration"
"Oh! II en- toujours un qui Anne
ct un qui Sc lasse 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 Ellsworth l was too
young to be taken into your conf
dence then, but-well. you pretty we'll
confessed the same just now Peter
was not precisely the sort of indi-
vidual to turn girls head. | 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 in Madrid. In less
time than that | shall be Mrs. Mark
Franklin, with more money than l
know what to do with and a charm
inc husband into tha bargain -
Come, that's better. am very
eager to see my brother-ln-law-elect.
You have not"
Phyllis laughed outright.
mo, my dear. l have not; one
does not wear ones fance's counter.
felt presentment' near ones heart
nowadays. But possess your soul in
patience. 1 told Mark he might come
in presently. and you would give him
some tea. 1 wonder if you'll like
him?"
Phyllis sat back little and glanced
round her sisters room.
He'll like your room, at any rate.
It's wonderfully pretty and restful.
this room of yours, clare; and it suits
you exactly. Yes, think Mark will
like you, too; he'll appreciate your
sense of the fitness Of things. Mark
is exceedingly artistic
"Yes?"
'-lt's rather a WEAKNESS to the spirit
occasionally" continued Phyllis, with
sigh you know--or, rather, you