Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-10

them, all lifelong friends or enemies.
A little apart from them sat a white
haired woman smiling at the scene
happily. but quite aloof. Evidently
she was a stranger. Instinctively Lin
da sat down beside her, saying. with
a smile, "lf ycu would rather not talk
Ill be as still as a mouse"
But want TO talk very much" the
white haired lady replied. Its hard
enough to be only locker on when
you know everybody and can see un.
der the surface. I know nobody here
except the man who brought me.
Bringing me was a within Of his. and
never cross his whims. He knows
Mrs. Ansley--in fact, she Is n sort OF
family connection. And he Is coming
back TO me after awhile. ! think he
has something on his mind that he
wants to get of"
How delightful! feel as IL l were
sharing n conspiracy" Linda answered
with soft smile.
The strange lady leaned across and
patted her hand, saying impulsively:
cit is conspiracy. and you shall
know how II ends after 1t ends. But
now tell me who Is who and all about
everybody. dare ask that because
from your face know you never tell
the things people would rather were
left unsaid."
I'm n rank impostor. It's all my
pink frock." Linda said. pretending to
whisper. "In reality I'm awfully grump
and grim. I'm beginning to sympa-
thize with the woman who said she
was never entirely at peace with God
and man except when she felt entirely
well dressed"
80 your soul has on its pink frock.
too" the strange lady said, with
gllmmerlng smile. Linda nodded. "And
I am glad" she said briefly. II am
half ready to promise myself never to
wear black nor to feel black again.
It's such shame when there are the
flowers and little children and good
friends to make living worth while"
you'll make It worth while wher-
ever you CO." the white haired lady
said. with conviction. "Now quit be-
ing angelic and turn gossip. Remem-
Der. l don't know anybody or anything
about anybody"
Linda began eagerly to tell the tale
Of guests. Now and again her listener
nodded ut name, tapped her fingers
In her palm and said 10 herself. II
used to know the father" or, II can
see the favor Of the mothsr." Evi-
IDENTIFY she was somebody newly re-
turned to once familiar ground.
Still Linda had no suspicion Of her
identity until she saw Aston Wade
coming quickly toward them. All at
once II flashed upon her that his
mother had been fifteen years away
with a daughter who had married
foreigner and gone to live abroad.
Aston had Berta beside him, ana
Berta was more vivaciously beautiful
than ever. Yet some shade fell over
her radiance as they approached near
enough to see who sat beside Mrs.
Wade.
AS soon as AlstDn had presented Ber-
ia to his mother she said impatiently
to Linda: Peggy Ansley Is hunting
high and low for you. Run away to
her. You know she depends on you to
help her with things"
1--WE Will go together. I also am 60
ing to help" Aston said, taking Lin
da's hand. Mother. I'm sure Miss
Berta will be very. very kind to you.
although" dropping his voice signifi-
cantly. "she can't make up to you for
losing Linda, because nobody can pos.
sibly do that"
Have you managed to get the ques-
ton Off your mind. my boy?" Mrs.
Wade asked. with seeming irrelevance,
but meaning smile. And her son an
swered, with an ardent look at Linda:
Eyes; It Is quite Off my mind. But
there's another question. very much
more important one. that Linda must
settle for me right away"
Il told her she should hear the end
Of the conspiracy" Mrs. Wade said.
laughing. Her son paused second to
say over his shoulder. "She can't rest
content with simply hearing 1t. be-