Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-05

absences from home She reposed so thor
oughly In theory on his judgment that
neither of them realized that in practice
she decided everything. Her resolution 20
restrict the girls gayeties was suddenly
hardened by the events of the dance.
thought it was twenty-four hours before
she got chance to express 1t. Tina hav-
ing slept until the late afternoon in de-
taking up the rest of the day. One visitor.
indeed. was partly responsible for the
mothers steadily increasing purpose: kind,
elderly, little Miss Ward. in her neat black
jacket, trimmed with a mysterious ginger
colored fur. being one Of those amiab!e
conversationalists who scatter the seeds
of discomfort wherever they tread. Mrs.
Madison. although she knew from afore-
time what she had to expect, couldn't
help the usual thrill of evaporation at
the opening sentence:
How feshy you are growing! I said
the other day as you were passing, L
hardly knew Mrs. Madison. she's getting
so stout. it's easy to see that she doesn't
let things worry her.. Your husband
looked very badly. 1 think, when he was
here last. 1 want to apologize for not
coming before to congratulate Miss Elinor
on her engagement to Mr.. Harper"
MY dear Miss Ward, you have been
misinformed"-Mrs Madison felt that she
was holding herself we'll in hand-"Elinor
would be very much obliged to you, I'm
sure-but there is no engagement"
We'll, now. isn't that singular Miss
Wards small features indicated a deep
and wondering interest. II certainly un-
derstood from Mrs. Painter that Ethel
said it was announced; l know she men
toned that every one was talking of it
| was there yesterday looking at the
things Mrs. Painter brought over from
the other side-beautiful. aren't they?
She gave me a lovely little framed photo
graph from some place In Italy-Sorrento>
/ think; you can get them here for a
quarter. but of course it's the thought
you value. She showed me the most ex-
quisite laces-and hats, Six of them;
perfect dreams. How pretty your hat
looks this year; you've had such good
wear out OIL it. too, haven't you? I'm
sure 1 never mind If thing isn't in the
newest style. Oh. by the way, my sister
was one of the chaperons with you last
night at the young peoples dance. She
if one could judge by her actions-quite a
case, isn't she. And SO noticeable-look-
ing. too. OF course, when she gets as old
as your other daughters she'll sober down.
I'm sure, as 1 told my sister, you never
see them doing anything conspicuous"
Conspicuous, The word of all others
calculated to bring the blood to a mothers
cheek. Mrs. Madison trembled almost Wis
billy with her effort at self-control, as she
switched the conversation further afield,
though she saw as plainly as on the night
before the lighted ballroom and the tall
lssome, white-clad figure of Tina, with
cleaning golden hair and scintillating
eyes. holding hands with Francis Fam
Shave in ring around-a-rosy fashion, now
high above her head. now swinging low
down. as the two went flying across the
floor. not once. but many times. with an
exaggerated, heel-and-toe, boy-and- girl
sportiveness after every one else was
seated and the music had grown as freak
ishly mad as they. Mrs. Malison's an
noyance had eliminated when she spoke
to Tina on the second morning. She was
fully nerved for struggle. This thing had
to stop.
Tina, have been waiting for an OPP
portunity to speak to you about the ball
l was very much displeased with your be-
havior: very much displeased. 1 felt
obliged to write to your father about It,
l cannot allow you to go to another dance
this winter"
"All right; i don't want to- said Tina
uninterestedly. She had thrown herself
down on the wicker lounge beside black
poodle stretched out on the Roman-striped
coverlet. and. putting her arms around the
animal, surveyed her mother from this
position. Mrs. Malison's eyes Toasted on
the picture.
Tina. you are entirely too young to do
the consequences. After this you are to
attend to your studies. / don't wish you
10 be seen with Francis Fanshawe any
more; and / don't wish you to invite him
here"
He's not coming" said Tina, briefly
''Momsey. / want a new gray suit, l
know i had this green one last month,
but hate II, All my friends are getting
gray suits now"
TINA. have you quarreled with Fran
cis:"
NO"
Mrs Madison looked uncomfortably puz-
zled. 'Then-has he done anything you
don't like. DEAR"
NO"
There isn't anything that you're keep
ing from me?' In spite OF denial, Mrs.
Madison felt the tenacity of some purpose
that she could not fathom
NO; oh, no. Tina raised her voice at
the sight OF her two sisters In the door
way. You can come in: momsey's fin
ished scolding me. I want new gray
suit-all my friends have them
We'll. Of all things Elinor's tone
was exasperated. Another new suit
when Annette and I have been wearing
our old ones all winter, That's so like
you. Tina. never considering where the
money is to come FROM
Il don't care where the money comes
from. Annette. don't you think / can
have the suit?"
1T seems a little foolish. dear-unless
you could wear 1t later in the season.
began Annette. pacifically. by the way.
/ heard you say that Francis wasn't COM
ing here. l thought he was going to take
you and Edith to the school concert to-
night
No: Roberts going to take u.s." said
Tina. She detached herself from her
sisters embrace and ran away. with the
black poodle after her.