Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-05-14

Della Priddy few briskly around her
little kitchen. Della was giving n tea
party that night.
In the other half Of the house two
women sat talking In a sunny bow
window. Everything here was neat
and orderly. but the rooms lacked the
air OF festivity that was impaired by
the preparations for the party.
III | was TO give tea party 10 the
sewing society wouldn't you think
was mean IL didn't invite my next
door neighbour demanded Ann Bart
impatiently.
II don't know" returned Mrs. White
evaslvely. II guess I'll put this edging
In plain. What do you think, Ann?"
Mrs. Bart stabbed her knitting nee.
dies into the folds OF the shawl and
leaned back In her rocking chair I'D
put II in plain II | was you. Sonny.
You needn't try 10 get out OF answer.
Ing me. for want to know what's the
reason Della Priddy didn't ask me TO
her party? Haven't always been
nice TO her? I've asked her time and
again to every kind Of doings me aud
James ever had. Not that she'd ever
come step, but | invited her. and
now James Is dead and buried and
I've come to live In the other half of
the house I should think she'd have
manners enough TO ask me. I've been
member OF the sewing society ever
since | married and came 10 SILVIA
tcr-that's twenty years ago It's
public slight. that's what II Is"
Mrs. White quivcred uneasIly. "you
licver knew Della before you was mar
ricd and came TO saltwater she ven.
tured hesitatingly.
Ann Bart shook her head
"I'll have TO be going along home,
guess" said the other woman. rising
slowly and picking shc threads from
her dress. There's supper 10 get for
Henry and the children nnd"-she
paused awkwardly and shifted her
glance from her companions face to
the towering plants In the window
your night blooming cercus has got
--one. two. thrce-its got seven buds
on It. They look like they'll open to-
night" She turned surprised eyes
upon her hostess.
Mrs. Bart's lips took on bitter
curve as she replied: Yes. tn be
a.bloom tonight. ! guess III have 10
admire II all by myself. Every mem
ner OF the society asked 10 come In
and see It said she had an engage
mcnt-just as II didn't know twas
Della PrIddy's party they were going
tor
As the afternoon wore on her bitter
ness increased. and she was trembling
with anger and disappointment that
she could no longer conceal from her
self. She wished some calamity might
bcfall Delia's tea party. Indeed. she
was quite willing TO become the au-
thor Of any catastrophe that would put
an end to the mcrrymaking
At 3 o'clock she saw Della. arraycd
In n black silk skirt and white shirt
waist. tripping down the street with
n pitcher In one hand. Della would be
back In ten minutes.
Like little fury the widow few
across the hall and opened Dclia's
door The table was set for supper
gold banded china. pale pink ham.
pickles and preserves. three kinds Of
cake. balls OF pot cheese. n golden sal
ad-even the bubbing ~ the tcakettlc
In the kitchen bespoke the pot of fra
grant tea that was 10 come. Ten places
were laid. and Ann Bart swiftly count
cd the members OF the sewing society.
and there we're nine and one over
that would be Dclia's cousin from the
Junction. She was always invited TO
Dclia's parties.
Ann Bart hesitatcd for an insian,
only. Then she dartcd back into her
own room and fetched u large flat has.
ket from her kitchen closet. Into the
basket she set the plates Of ham aud
cake and cheese. the dishes Of pre-
serves and the bowl OF salad Guilty.
she returned TO her own rooms and
sought the stairs leading 10 the large.
open raftered attic that was shared
alike by the two inmates OF the houS"
On the north half of the room Della
Priddy kept her belongings, and IN the
south half AIMS things were stored
away. Ann was particular to place
the captured viands in pela's half oi
the attic. When Della found them she
might conjecture wha, she pleased.
Mrs. Bart was too angry TO analyze
her own motives at that moment.
A large chest was set back under the
rafters. Am crept forward aud threw
back the lid. The chest was half filed
with boxes and bundles and formed II
safe hiding place for the plates Of
food. These were set carefully on top
OF the packages In the trunk. and Ann
held one small box IN her hand while
she arranged the chest. The sound of
footsteps on the path below brought
her TO her feet with sudden sense OF
guilt. She dropped the lid with Il bang
and threw the basket into a distant
corner among her own things
Once below In her own rooms she