Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-10
A CONSPIRACY
By MARTHA M'CULLOCn.
WILLIAMS.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

"You may come along II you want
TO. but should think you'd hate to
be always tagging" Berta said, with a
small insolent laugh. Berta was a
beauty and n belle. Linda, her sister,
Older by two years, was neither.
According to the countryside, Linda
was even ugly.
People who were all for roses and
dimples and sunshiny smiles saw no
beauty In Linda's olive complexion, her
severely classic profile and the slim
figure, which they called thin.
She did not smile much, and she
laughed so rarely in public that gossip
said she did not know how. Before
she was sixteen she had been set down
as a predestlned spinster.
II was far otherwise with Berta, who
was damask rose embodied In ador-
able flesh and blood. Linda ut twenty
one had never had beau. Berta's
conquests could not be reckoned upon
all her fingers.
At first Berta liked to have Linda go
out with her. finding in her dark pallor
a fine foil for her own charms. But
after awhile she grew In strange.
unaccountable way resentful Of Linda.
Ii seemed a reflection on the family
that its elder daughter was so nearly
a social cipher. At least that was
what Berta told herself. Everybody
feels the sovereign need for good
excuse to justify an unklnd action.
Not for worlds would she have ad-
mitted to herself her feeling really had
It's origin In certain praises Of Linda
spoken by man when she herself had
resolved to marry.
Aston Wade was the man. He was
the catch Of the county. He lived
twenty miles away and had not known
the Lee girls until six months before.
Then they had met at the county fair,
and after that they had not been able
to go anywhere without finding him
there. Not that they objected. Wade
was the kind Of man to whom no one
could object-not even young woman
predestined 10 spinsterhoud.
Linda danced but rarely: therefore
Berta had we'll nigh monopolized Al
ston's attention. He had made oppor-
tunities. for all that. to talk with Lin
da aud had even been unwise enough
to tell Lindas sister that she rested
and cheered him as might fresh and
fragrant breeze.
Berta had cooed that Linda was
truly the dearest old thing. When
they were home again and for weeks
thereafter she did not spare the dear
est old thing one possible pin prick.
you won't be lonesome. All the old
maids In town are sure to be at the
Ansleys'," she ran on rs they stepped
into the carriage. She had been hop
ing Linda would not go to the lawn
party. II was the first Of the season.
Nobody but Peggy Ansley would have
rlsked such a thing thus early, even
though May had come in summer
warm.
ut would be better II you'd put on
black frock. short one and white
apron. Then you could help serve
things" she went on.
Linda smiled gravely. And you
could have worn my chip hat" she re-
piled. with a faint twinkle. II know
It's almost MS becoming to you as you
are to It. But I'm getting to be selfish
as I grow older"
"The hat doesn't matter. II people
see me they never think of what have
on" said Berta. I'm not just part Of
the scenery. like some people"
Linda flushed and made motion to-
ward the carriage door, almost as II
she would leave II. In a moment, how
ever, she sank back on the cushion,
saying evenly: well, after all. the
scenery has its uses. Anyway, I'm 60
ing to have the best time I can. As
you say. shan't be lonesome. Peggy
says she's asked everybody in town
over six months old"
Yes, know It'll be the same as
Sunday school picnic. l fully expect
to see you marching about looking ike
the head Of an orphan asylum" Berta
commented spitefully. Linda only
smiled again. After a minute she said
very slowly: "At least I'll escape tag
ging that way. And you mustn't be
spiteful II for once ! have more fol-
lowers than you"
Soon they rolled through the Ansley
gates in sight of green lawns. flower
decked and soft as velvet. Knots Of
people hecked the turf. the women
brave In light spring garments and even
the men showing hints OF the seasons
enlivening In their more sober attire.
Children ran around picking flowers
unhindered or flung them down to roll
ecstatically on the grass. Berta lost
her scowl at the sight. She was a
woman for all her hard ambitions.
Linda longed to gather the toddlers
In ner arms and carry them OF to fairy.
land. She controlled herself and walk
ed decorously among them. only stop
ping now and then to pat u tousled
curly head.
She had on rose pink frock, with
smothers OF fine lace at throat and
wrists. Somehow In spite OF Berta's
taunts her spirits had risen until her
/ rood snntnLaI hnr amman ran