The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-05-18


ly eypectant of the accusation She
imagined that Della had seen her dey-
astated supper table through the win
dow, or she may have observed Ann
In the very act of despoiing the Ia
BILE.
II want you TO come to my supper
party" blurted forth Della at last Il
know I've never been very friendly t.
you, Mrs. Bart, but | mean to do bet
ter, and I've put off asking you every
day because thought maybe you'd
resent 1t, Now, ut the very last mo
ment. just made up my mind to rush
In and have 1t out! I've got place
all laid for you, and expect We'll ali
have real good time together. VIII
you Gomez
Delia's blue eyes were lifted for IN
instant TO the crayon portrait of James
piece; then her glance fell on the
strangely working features of Ann
Bart.
Il can't come" said Ann in chok-
ing voice.
"Why?" asked Della gently.
you'll know why-when you 20 int
your rooms" retorted Ann bitterly
Il 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 ont
of her workbasket and thrust II In a
small cupboard In the chimneypiece
1t slipped forward aud before Ann
could catch II fell TO the floor, distrib-
uting It's contents over the hearth rug
With II 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 stiifened.
and she held the picture before her
eyes with strange set smile on her
face
1t was Il picture of her husband
James Bart. taken In his handsome
looked confidently into her own and
seemed to challenge her TO eritieise the
few words written IN his grabbed writ
Ing across the bottom OF the card
"To Della. from James. April ..
1888" That was year before he had
married Anu
| Ann rose stiflly TO her feet and closed
| the box with n SNIP; then she walked
| deliberately TO Della Priddy's door and
| knocked loudly.
Come In" said Della's voice
Miss Priddy was sitting near thu
devastated supper table. her eyes rec
from crying The tall clock IN th,
corner was slowly ticking away thu
minutes toward g. when the expecie,
guests would arrive.
Instead OF feeling triumphant Mt thu
downfall of her encmy's hopes. Am
Bart felt very small and mean. Blu
she could be as magnanimous.
~ was mad at you. Della Priddy.
she said In n low. even tone. "becaus'
you've always snubbed me and because
| you didn't ask me TO your party. so
| came In and carted all your food VI
| into the attic. and it's there now. jus
as good as ever. I'll go up In n minute
anu DflDS IL uoWH, NuHt w uSh fb'
question, and you needn't be offend
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 81
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 cnme to saltwater"
II didn't know 1t. Della. but you
needn't have felt rescntful. You ought
to be glad you never married James
He was hateful He was II hard man
to live with ! had n hard life" Two
crimson spots glowcd III AIMS cheeks
IL. she bent over Della Priddy aud kiss
ed her softly. I'm going up to get
that food now. ] hope you'll forgive
me-" she added.
"0f course | do. I'm sorry ] ucted
mean. but | couldn't see much Of him
and 1t makes me feel better to know
lie wasn't perfect" half laughed Delin
as she returned AIMS caress "Yonl
go and get ready for supper now
won't you? Aud well all like to sec
the night blooming cereus too"
every well. I'll come In ~ soon M
I've been up IN the attic" returned
Ann. fastening away.
A little later, as she tied the white
lawn bow hi her throat and touched
her soft puts of hair, she looked oyei
at the crayon portrait OF her HUSBAND
on the wall
You were "A good. kind husband
James. and ain't really got word o.
complaint to make about you, only
somebody had TO make II up u Deiii
| for the way you treated her. Sh'
| 1on't be anything but glad now be
cause you married me instcad Of her"
Della appeared IN the doorway fresl
and smiling. Some OF the folks ar
coming IN the gate now Mrs. Bart
| S'pose you come and help me receive
'em."