The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-17
A Virginian Page for Each Member Of the Family
COUSIN FANNY'S HOUSE PARTY
uY EDITH S. SPEED.

Helen Stevens was not surprised to
be the only person in the car who was
going to Sunny Craig. the summer
home o. Mrs. Howard Milebanke. The
others, she told herself were in the
forward coaches. Such opuient trav-
cling. however. was not for her,
teacher in a Newourg public school
she was very HAPPY, FOR She was 60
ing 10 q house party. -Four days OF
gRyety were TO be hers: she counted
them over on her fingers to be sure
that not one had escaped her--Thurs-
day, Friday. Saturday and Sunday.
When she descended from the train
in the thick blur of the February t~i-
light and the fast falling snow she
had moments misgtviug 70 discover
that she was still the only possible
guest for Bunny Craig. Helen had
never been to house party. but she
was positive that the stNait woman
with many bundles. who dropped one
ST every step, and the tall man with
a red muffier were not of the house
party type. Helen fastened through
the station to find the carriage which
she was sure her cousin Fanny would
have sent for her, The street was
empty.
Surely she could not have made
mistake, She had studied the time
table and had sent a telegram inform
ing her cousin that she would arrive
At errtsto~n February rs at 5
O'Clock. She enviousiy watched the
stout woman and the owner of the
red muffier disappear in a hollow
where the lights twinkled through the
snowy blur. Still the carriage from
O. 81 ri
nervousiy consulted the ticket agent,
who informed her that he was a stran-
ger. having taken charge of the sta
ton that afternoon. He advised her
to get sleigh at the hotel.
Helen was soon being driven up the
steep, snowy fiye-miie road to Sunny
Craig. She grew chilled as the cold
east wind howled about. binding them
with large fakes of snow. But she
would not complain. Cousin Fanny
was lovely woman to have given her
poor cousin such joyful opportunity
Ia house party and twenty young
people: Helen began to hum the air
of her favor lie waltz
We are gittin there observed the
driver, making a turn from the high
way TO a private road.
Before them. through the mist of
snow, Helen could see a large, old
fashioned house. but from not one of
the many windows did a mellow light
OF welcome shine. The sleigh stopped
The driver passed the reins into the
girls hands and stumped- way
across the large piazza to the OBJ
rieaslY inhospital,ie front door No
answer rewarded his pounding.
'I'll go and stir up Jim Drake and
his wife" he remarked. disappear
1s~~~ 4.
After what seemed TO Helen An in
terminabie wait, Jim Drake. followed
by the stout. shawled Mrs Drake, ap-
peared In the wake OF the driver.
Well. ] never! exclaimed the an
tonfshed woman III this isn't one
of the house party! Didn't you hear?
There isn't going to be a party. Mrs.
Milabanke wired yesterday that her
baby had dipthery and that she had
let all tf7e guests know Such night
to come way out here! MY, my, my"
Mr.. Drake interrupted the exclarna-
lions of his voluble wife, There
isn't any train until Tomorrow he
said. but tlie house is warm, for
I started the furnace before | heard
the baby was sick The pantries are
full OF food, so we will be able to
make you comfortable"
Helen get stitiiy out Of the sleigh.
The trains do not seem to he very
frequent on this road" she said to
Mrs. Drake. who escorted her to one
of the guest rooms.
NO. indeed" she agreed, but you
VIII be comfortable Me and Jim will
come over here and sleep SO you
won't be scared. Now ] shall get you
something hot TO eat" and she bus
tied of downstairs.
y wonder why Cousin Fanny didn't
let me know" pondered the girl. as
she made herself comfortable. The
room was pretty with it's oid-fashton-
I'd rose -wreathed paper, Its mahog-
sHy furniture. delicate muslin curtains
and silver Helen was a Sybarite at
Heart, despite her small room in
boarding house. and all the pretty
things filled her with delight
Removing her travelling suit, she
arrayed herself comfortably In a pink
negiigee that she had hoped her
cousin would admire
Miss Stevens"
The shrill voice penetrating through
the door aroused Helen from her
musings
Hastily going 10 the landing. she
looked Gown into the hall At the
foot Of the stairs stood Mrs Drake |
Snd tall. snow-covered man star |
.gg upward.
Another one Of your party" an i
founced Mrs. Drake tersely.
oh. cidnt You hear, ether" she |
v ID
Not until Mrs. Drake told me-" |
answered the nam. II am Billy Croft |
ton, friend OF Stephen Millbanke,"
he continued, land | have Just come |
from the West. That is why did |
net get a telegram IT Is probably |
at my hotel in New York. Won't you |
co ne down and be sociable -
Presently said the girl.
n a few minutes Mrs. Drake |
ks,cked at her door.
You will have dinner with Mr.. |
rreften. won't YOU" she asked. He !
IL uch a nice young man. He was |
here last summer with his girl. the |
one heeis going TO marry. Oh. ] for |
get my biscuits! And Off the taika-
tive woman flew 10 the kitchen.
50 Mr.. Creften is engaged" unused |
Helen as she dressed.
Never to anyone did ham and eggs |
srie potatoes. hot biscuits and coffee
taste better than they did TO those two /
house party dereitcts. After dinner they