Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-23

Deborah took Elinor's note from the envelope and read the last part over again Now, auntie, shall be so dis appointed if you don't come to my party" it ran. Somehow, fear you'll refuse, giving your usual excuse that you're too old for such nonsense, but, auntie, dear, you're not old at all you only imagine it. And, besides, there is an inducement for you to &C., cept my invitation. James Harper is our guest this veek-he was Toms chum at college-and if you'll come you'll see him again. He told me he used to know you ten years ago. He's a splendid man and if I weren't en- gagged to Tom, why, there's no know ing what might happen. But, then, it wouldn't do any good, for rumor says that his engagement to Margaret Page is soon to be announced. Now, auntie, do be sure and come"
 The woman sat and pondered. The bit of news concerning James Harper had caused a flood of remembrances to sweep over her, wiping out every thing but the past in which he had figured so strongly. She was thinking of that other night when they had gone to- gether to a Halloween party. What a gay evening they had spent-going through all the stunts of Halloween. Of all the young folks there she had been the gayest. And the walk home with James Harper under the quiet stars had been the crowning point of her happiness, for he had asked her to be his wife and she had whispered ives" with a heart overfiowing with not a cloud had crossed her sky of happiness, and then one evening James had become jealous of Roy Fernald's attentions to her at a dance. A quar- rel had arisen which resulted in her giving him back her betrothal ring, and since that time she had never seen him. She had heard of him at the time he had gone abroad. Then in two years she had moved to the city, and since she had learned that he had returned and was fast winning fame as an illustrator. And now had come the first news that his engagement to Margaret Page was expected to be an- nounced at an early date.
 Should she go to Elinor's party? She would like to see him again. He, of course, had forgotten all about the old days. If he remembred her it was only as a friend of his youth. And then there was Margaret. She was beautiful, and young. No, she would not go and give him an opportunity to compare her with the lovely girl who was soon to be his wife. Acting upon this impulse she sat down at once and wrote a note to her niece, re- fusing the invitation on the grounds that she was far too old to attend a Halloween party. Why, it was ab surd for woman of 33 to even think of it.
 On Halloween eve Deborah sat in the library before the fire gazing wist- fully into the dancing flames. She was was not thinking of the past now, the present filled her mind. She was won dering how Margaret looked tonight in her new pink gown-Elinor had told her about it. But of course she look ed beautiful in it-she was always lovely-and James Harper was without doubt at her side looking down in her face with admiring eyes. She could not help signing. There at the party they were all happy, while she was alone and sad. Suddenly an idea took possession of her. She would try some Halloween stunt and make believe that she was a girl again.
 To think with her was to act. In