The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-22
FEBRUARY TWENTY-SECON
By MoLLrE IA. WILTSHIRE.

The short wintry day was drawing
10 close. Outside pedestrians were
hurrying TO their homes. for the sour
rying snowfiakes gave promise of a
disagreeable night and the streets
would soon be weiI-nigh deserted
Mrs. Arlington's cozy sitting-room,
with its CHEEKY open fire, surrounded
ty trio of bright giriish faces, pre-
sented an attractive contrast TO the
dreary scene without. 1t was evident
from the silenss and apparent per-
plexity of the girls that some weighty
question was engaging their attention.
and that they were deeply interested
in its outcome. Suddenly Edith clap
ped her hands in girlish enthusiasm
and exclaimed. eagerly: "oh! girls. 1
have 1t. the very thing. Ofd-fashion-
ed oharades."
why, Edith" said Grace, admir-
ingly, II should never have thought
Of that. Here / have been puzxling
my brain for a new idea to avoid the
same colonial tea or cherry-tree for-
tune-telling. that have been the chief
features of our February entertain
ments for so long, that / always feel
we should enclose our invitations in
chestnut burr. but no new idea
would come"
Tell us. Edith said Evelyn. Just
what your plan is"
We'll. to begin with. as we intend
to entertain our friends on the 22d.
OF course our charades must be scenes
from the life OF Washington. We will
have the noble George In A. many
scenes MS we can conveniently arrange.
beginning. / suppose, with the cherry
tree and closing with his wedding. We
can build our stage In this room.
leaving the two pariors for our audi
ence :,
But, Edith" exclaimed Grace.
what part are we girls TO takee"
I'm let you be the widow Gusts
and Jack Dalton the noble George.
Ii that would suit you," answered
Edith banteringly. Grace's face flush
ed slightly and Edith continued:
We must have the scene where
Washington meets the widow Custis
and forgetting for once his duties as
an officer basks In the sunshine and
sweetness OF her smile and daliies
favor. And then the wedding.
guess we will need girls for that. don't
you o.
well. yes, they are rather a neces-
city then" answered Grace. laughing.
"and / move that Evelyn take the
character of the widow Cuatas.''
Yes. do, dear" said Edith, you
Will make the quaintest little Lady
Washington that can be Imagined.
And We'll dance the stately minuet
after the charades are over
Have YOU decided who's to be
Washington?" asked Evelyn. not yet
accepting the part assigned her.
We'll. thought Harry would make
q capital boy Washington, but. of
course. we know better than to give
anyone but Claude the part to act
with you. He would Immediately do
something desperate. probably mur-
der. IL he saw anyone even pretending
to make love to you. And then Claude
could act the part more natural" con-
tinued Edith, teasingly.
Don't, Edith" answered Evelyn,
with a painad expression coming into
her eyes. n will not act with Claude,
and he would not wish II either Sc
| iect some one else and I will do my
best. but 1t must not be Claude" and,
rising, Evelyn left the room.
Well, never." exclaimed Grace,
with more force than elegance: what
on earth liz the matter now?'
/ II don't know" answered Edith.
Didn't she look queer: Can they
have ouarreled after two years en-
That's the trouble. ! don't APP
prove OF long engagements. Even IN
snEei couldn't stay pleased with Z
man two long years. And Il you are
only sngassd hsra's. ncthine ieft yoS