Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23
THE LYDIA D0ANE
CELEBRATION
Ely FRANCES ROBERTS.

( BY FRANCES ROBERTS.
! lucia Allen belonged to the Lydia Doane
,CEapter Of the Children of the American
iRcvoution, and the members of the Lydia
,Doaue Chapter had been busy for a month
Enakug preparations for the celebration
of the anniversary of the birthday of the
ElerOlc woman for whom the chapter was
Hhamed. The celebration was to include the
SunveilEg of the statue in the park. which
Represented Lydia Doane on her way to
fwarn Washington; also speeches. music
tGnd fete at Woodside, the beautiful
home Of Nine. Denton.
The fcte had a double interest for it
was given to Introduce madame's niece,
who was to come from France to make
her home with her aunt. The girls were
all very anxious to see her and most of
them euvied her for the beautiful home
She would have.
Lucia had decided TO make an intimate
friend of her. knowing that the friend of
Marie Bellaire would be invited on many
q ride and excursion. She thought of
them again the afternoon of the celebra
ton, and nodded to her reflection in the
mirror with a smile OF satisfaction at
the quaint. short-waisted gown of white
muslin. She had been chosen to unveil
the monument. and she rehearsed the
smile and bow with which she intended to
greet the audience.
Her mother smiled at her from the door
way and Lucia threw her a kiss.
asked, with an elaborate courtesy. lis that
the bell? I'll tell Nora to send the girls
up. Hello she said. without looking
around; how do YOU like-why, Lydia
Pennington. where did You come from?"
She held the cap suspended over her head.
and stared at the mirror, which reflected
q plump. rosy-faced girl.
Did | surprise you?' asked Lydia, with
p beaminG face.
Il should think you did," Lucia's man.
her was anything but cordial. Where did
You come from?"
Lucia had spent month at Lydia's home
In the country not six weeks before. and
had enjoyed royal time: yet she
ceived her most ungraciously and looked
serge. Mother will expect me to take her
with me-" thought Lucia. why couldn't
She have stayed at homer
Mrs. Allen was more gracious and greeted
the visitor with a kiss.
How nice to you again" she said.
'Lucia. you must take Lydia with you"
Il knew it." groaned Lucia, under her
breath How can she go in that frock?'
She muttcred.
Mrs. Aliens eyes flashed. 1.-The boys and
girls are going to wear colonial costumes.
Lydia, but they will not expect you to be
in fancy dress, too. as you stranger"
There are the girls" interrupted Lucia.
Picking up her fan and long silk nit
tens. she hurried downstairs, wishing that
Lydia would refuse to go.
Don't mind Lucia" Mrs Allen put her
arm around Lydia's waist Go and have
good time"
Lydia followed her down the stairs slowly.
She was hurt and angry. Lucia was
ashamed of her because she was from the
country and wore an old serge. She al
most wished she had not come. She hung
back awlwardly when Mrs. Allen intro
duced her to Lii and Nell who in
too much of futter TO pay much atten-
tiOn To her. They went down the street,
trotted along behind as best she could
The girls We're early. and Lucia pulled
Lydia into a seat behind a floating flag.
devoutly hoping that no one would think
that she belonged to her.
Lucia was too interested in the arrivals
TO answer, and Lydia amused herself by
watching the people as they gathered be
fore the grand stand
At last the regent gave the signal and
the young people rose and sang My Coun-
try, It's of Thee Then Chauncey Adams
began to tell the story of Lydia Doane.
AS he spoke the name In his ringing boy
ish voice Lydia Pennington gave in
voluntary exclamation ChaunCey stopped
and Lucia gave her guest a pinch. The
regent looked around and asked kindly,
what is it, child?'
Lydia was sadly embarrassed Moth
ing" she murmured, only she was my
great great- grandmother.
Your great-great- grandmother" All of
the members of the Lydia DOane Chapter
who were within hearing turned and stared
al her with wondering eyes. Lucia'S heart
beat rapidly. How stupid she had been.
She knew her name was Lydia Doaue Pen
nington.
The regent smiled more kindly. II am
Chaurccy."
Under cover OF the burst of applause that
rewarded Chauncey a man from the
little group of hOnOred citizens and went
forward 10 speak to the regent At first
he hesitatcd, then smiled and nodded, and
went to the corner where the girls were.
Lucia, she said, lit seems If Lydia
Doane's great-great- granddaughter should
unvell the monument. Don't you want to
let her take your placer"
Lydia gasped and caught her breath. So
did Lucia. She could not say no, for the
suggestion was taken up by others, and
she gave way with rather Ill grace.
So the drum corps played while girl
in shabby serge frock pulled the veil from
the white marble. Everybody cheered. and
Lydia's checks grew pinker and pinker 1t
made Lucia furious.
Its too mean" she murmured with a
catch in her breath she led the way to
the carriage that was to take them to
WoOdside She was very quiet until they
had almost reached the gate. when she
turned to Nell.
Did Marie Gomez" she asked.
Nell didn't know and Lydia tied to be
sociable
There was such a funny girl came out
on the train with me-" she volunteered.
She was foreigner and her name
I'VE don't care what her name was" in
terrupted Lucia rudely. Look, girls, they
have put up q May pole"
The girls gaZed eagerly as the carriage
rolled up the driveway and found some
thing new to admire at every turn. On
The wide stone porch stood Nine Denton
and By her side was the slender form of
a young girl Lucia's quick eye saw her at
once.
She's come. girls" she whispered. 'Is
my cap on straight? For goodness sake,
LYDIA. don't stare so.'
LYDIA was In a dream. She tried to fol-
low hut the merry crowd pushed in be-
tween. Lucia looked back as she spoke to
thought
mind Nobody knows she came with me.
L. Ier alone ., she smiled as mad