Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-30

household We're astlr AMI they must
not be absent
As they hurried indoors Amy. In q
warm crimson serge gown. stood In
the porch and rallied them on their
early rising.
'rie said something about this even
ing she said to herself. aud wistful
smile curved her pink lips.
Lena Gilbert. passing by. saw the
smile and mnrvelcd. Her own lips
were set in a straight scarlet line that
matched the vivid hue OF her cap. ut
is fate" she muttered between her
set teeth.
The men did not return from their
hunting expedition until an hour before
dinner, but Felicia had spent the after
noon In her own room. and when she
was sure that every one was dressing
she stole downstairs 10 the music
room and opened the plano. She loved
these half hours OF music. when In the
sound proof room she played softly to
herself dreaming ms she played.
When she had finished with n dain-
Is, airy thing that seemed TO express
her own light heartedncss she went
10 the library. The evening papers
would be here. and II was favorite
gathering place for the women before
dinner
She was well within the great room
before she was aware that Il was al
ready occupied and that her presence
was on intrusion. Langford Dale was
standing there. one elbow on the high
mantel shelf and his head thrown back.
looking down AT Lena Gilbert with a
rather surprised expression on his face.
Lena. dazzling in pale blue. with her
golden hair piled In mass OF puffs
and curls Mt the back OF her head,
stood before him with flushed checks
and dropping eyes As Felicia entered
Lena was saying:
81 received your note. Lang. and
am here"
The little scene smote sharply upon
Fclicia's happy mood. and the rosy
veil was torn from her eyes. Before
either of them had noticed her pres
once she had vanished Back 10 the
music room she flew. her fingers crush
ed tightly in her palms.
When she stopped In the middle OF
the room and stared before her she
saw her own reflection In the long mir
ror All In white she was. like a
bride, ana her fnce was as waxen as
the white lilies OF the valley on her
n hal Af
favorlte flowers
All NJ once she laughed shortly and
tossed the flowers from her She cross
cd the room to another door and en-
tered the small conservatory. Here
she deliberately chose brilliant scar
let poinsettia blossom and placed it
against the white Of her gown 1t
gave color to her checks and lips
when she went to the dining room.
Felicla did not glance nj Langford
Dale, who had taken Lena Gilbert In
to dinner She talked vivaciously to
Jimmy Folsom and excited vain hopes
In the breast OF that much smitten
Young man. She did not notice that
Langford's handsome face was pale
and set or that I.ena's eyes flashed
terrible anger and contempt and that
the two did not once address each 9TH
err, but converscd with their neighbors
nj the table. Felicin's heart was bleed
ing and sore nj the faithlessness OF
one whom she thought worthy OF her
love.
After dinner Langford found her
alone for an instant and approached
her. Felicia" he was whispering
eagerly. when she arose and. with
whitening look at him. crossed TO Mrs.
Lindsay's side. where she remained
the rest of the evening.
Good night and goodby. everybody.
I'm going on the early train tomorrow
morning.. called Lena Gilbert merri-
Is ms they all parted at the foot OF the
stairs NJ bedtime.
As they crowded around Miss Gil
bert. each one adding his or her word
o. regret AZ her going. Felicia over
heard Jimmy Folsom speaking TO Lang.
ford Dale. "You going on that early
train. too. Lang? You said You were
leaving in the morning, hut isn't 1t
lust bit-eh:" he chuckled disagree
ably
Don't be an ass. Jimmy" growled
Iangford.
well, YOU told me a half hour ago
that business suddenly required your
presence in town But Felicia did
not hear the rest. She said goodby 10
Lena Gilbert and then went up 10 her
room. the unhappicst girl in the world
If one excepted Lena Gilbert
Just ms midnight was striking In the
hall below Lena came tapping az her
door INLAY ! come In. FellciaT' she
inquired In n strained voice.
Certainly" called Felicia, who sat
in her dressing gown before the fire
II there We're traces Of tears on her
cheeks she had forgotten 10 remove
them. and so she and Lena Gilbert
stared NJ each others woebegone faces
without word. At last Lena brought
crumpled sheet OF paper from her
a l.t. "a H., to- lar