Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-06-08

Nss ~"-6sy sAASDS.
Let Della Priddy accuse her Of steal.
Ing the supper She would laugh in
her face.
There was the sound of low knock
at the kitchen door. and Ann strobe
swiftly across the floor and threw the
dor wide open. There stood Della
with her milk pitcher In one hand and
the black cat curling about her skirts.
Good evening"" hesitated Della, with
one look at AIMS face.
Good evening"" snapped Mrs. Bart,
with questioning brows.
May come in for few minutesY'
asked Della. Il want to say something
to you, Mrs. Bart"
Come in." said Ann ungraciously.
leading the way into the dining room
and pulling forward a stiff rocker.
'Sit down."
But Della stood, tall and slender and
very pale. her pitcher held in the curve
Of her long arm. The black cat still
arched its back against her silken
skirt
Ann watched her and waited, fierce
~ expectant of the accusation. She
imagined that Della had seen her dew
astated supper table through the win
dow. or she may have observed Ann
In the very act Of despoiling the ia
BILE
Il want you to come to my supper
party" blurted forth Della at last. II
know I've never been very friendly to
you. Mrs. Bart, but ] mean to do bet
ter, and I've put or asking you every
day because l thought maybe you'd
resent 1t. Now, at the very last mo-
ment. just made up my mind to rush
In and have 1t Quit I've got a place
all laid for you. and l expect wen all
have a real good time together. VIII
you conner"
Delia's blue eyes were lifted for an
instant TO the crayon portrait of James
Bart on the wall over the mantel-
piece: then her glance fell on the
strangely working features of Ann
Bart
Il can't come" said Ann in a chok-
ing voice.
"Why?" asked Della gently.
you'll know why-when you 60 into
your rooms" retorted Ann bitterly.
II am sorry. hope you'll change
your mind" said Della. turning to the
door.
When the door had closed Ann
reached down and took the box out
Of her workbasket and thrust 1t in
small cupboard in the chimneypiece.
II slipped forward and before Ann
could catch It fell to the floor. distrib-,
utiag its contents over the hearth rug.
With little cry of dismay Ann bent
down to pick up the scattered letters
and photographs, As she placed the
last one In the box her arm stiffened.
and she held the picture before her
eyes with strange set smile on her
face.
1t was a picture of her husband.
James Bart, taken in his handsome
young manhood. The bold dark eyes
looked confidently into her own and
seemed to challenge her to criticise the
few words written In his grabbed writ
ing across the bottom Of the card
ITO Della. from James. April 2.
1855" That was year before he had
married Ann.
Ann rose stiiliy TO her feet and closed
the box with snap; then she walked
deliberately to Della Priddy's door and
knocked loudly.
"Come i'm said Delia's voice.
D,slI Sffsinfy the
devastated supper table, her eyes red
from crying. The tail clock in the
corner was slowly ticking away the
minutes toward 6. when the expected
guests would arrive.
Instead OF feeling triumphant at the
downfall of her enemy's hopes. Ann
Bart felt very small and mean. But
she could be as magnanimous.
II was mad at you. Della Priddy.
she said I'm a low, even tone. because
you've always snubbed me and because
you didn't ask me to your party. so
came In and carted all your food up
into the attic. and It's there now. just
as good as ever. I'll go up in a minute
and bring Il down. I want to ask you
n question, and you neednf be oueru-
ed. You used TO know my husband
before was married. didn't your
Delia's head lifted proudly. and she
broke the bitter silence of years. Il
was engaged TO him once. but he Tilted
me to marry you. | never felt that
wanted to have much to do with either
of you when you came TO saltwater
81 didn't know it. Della. but you
needn't have felt resentful. You ought
to be glad you never married James.
He was hateful. He was hard man
to live with. had hard life" Two
crimson spots giowed in AIMS cheeks
as she bent over Della Priddy and kiss
ed her softly. Pm going up to get
that food now. | hope you'll forgive
me-" she added.
"Of course | do. Fm sorry ! acted
mean. but couldn't see much of him,
and it makes me feel better to know