The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-08-22
Tea in Suite A
By Bruce MacDonough 4
Copyright. 1912, by Associated Literary Press.s


ing.
Miss Beers laughed as she returned
the greeting with equal warmth.
What are you doing here. country
mouse?" she asked
Visiting Genevieve Blake; she's
my cousin you know. They have Just
moved into the building behind you
it's the quaintest place; full OF artists
and writer's and the most charming
studios-I helped them move in yes
terday. and I've only lost my way
twice In the great barn of building.
Come in now and have cup of tea
Some other day, Amy. You must
be topsy-turvey up there now"
No indeed-the suite Is furnished
completely. All We had TO do was TO
settle the little things around. Gene
We've and Ned have gone down to see
their publishers and we can have
cosy time together l told Mary to
leave some tea things-it's her after
noon out"
AS she spoke Amy led the way
toward the elevators. It's on the
seventh floor" she remarked as they
shot upward. "Genevieve wouldn't
have any other-shes very supersti-
tious, you know, and seven is her
lucky number"
Amy continued to chatter as they
left the elevator and walked down
the long corridor. Her cheeks were
unnaturally pink and her gray eyes
wore rather a strained look - so
thought Evelyn Beers, who looked in
vain for some trace OF the old happy,
light-hearted girl Amy Gay had been
before she and her husband Of few
months had gone separate ways.
Here 1t is--suite A-and, l declare,
if that careless Mary hasn't left the
door open"
Amy pushed the door wide and
ushered her friend into a small inner
| hall. From there it was a step into
a tiny reception room furnished In
tan and dull lsue, with a wicker tea
table standing invitingly ready near
an open window.
How charming" exclaimed Eve
| Ign as she laid her parasol aside and
drew off her gloves. Amy busted
herself with the teakettle lighting
the lamp underneath with quick nerv-
GUS gestures so contrary to her
usually tranquil manner that Evelyn
was moved to venture upon the for
hidden topic.
Il met Allen the other day." she
said casually.
"Yes?" asked Aliens wife
He looked very down" began
Evelyn, and then stopped short at
the look in Amy's face. q beg your
pardon, dear" she ended quietly,
you said you didn't care"
81 don't" declared Amy in crisp
tone.
Let US talk of other things"
Evelyn proceeded to do so, relating
at considerable length the pleasures
| she had enjoyed at a recent house
| party in the country.
rs that where you met Allen?" de
manded Amy
| Yes"
Il thought so-he always goes down
to the Delmans'" She stirred her tea
thoughtfully and, without lifting the
lids that dropped over her eyes, she
asked in a low. embarrassed tone:
Did he ask about me-"
! Not a word. | saw very little OF
him. anyway; he spent most Of his
time on the bay with Dick Delman"
Was Kitty Taintor there" asked
Amy.
Yes"
81 suppose Allen liked that-he
used to think a lot of Kitty before
he fell in love with me"
81 tell you he didn't have much
to do with any one save Dick
"Of course. you wouldn't tell
me, anyway" nodded Amy. 81 re
member Ben Herring once said
that it wasn't human nature to re
sist Kitty Taintor's charms"
Nonsense! Do give me another
cup of tea, Amy, and tell me what
your future plans are"
Il haven't made any" hesitated
Mrs Gay. as she peered into the
teacup
Evelyn was silent Amy Gay had
been rather a spoiled daughter
and 1t was inevitable even to the
most generous friends of the young
couple that sooner later Amy's i'm,
perious temper must clash with the
strong will of her husband Allen
Gay would be tander with his wife.
but II he was right in his contention
his will would not bend
Where is Allen stopping" in.
CURED Evelyn. after a while.
Ned told Genevieve and she told
me that Allen had removed all his
things from the house and had fur
nished a studio in the city here.
haven't been down to Interest to see
II 1t is sol might meet him and
that would be embarrassing for us
both. Some day Genevieve will &c
down and investigate"
And If 1t is true that he has left
the house for you TO occupy shall you
go back there?"
MOI" cried Amy sharply. You
don't know what you ask Evelyn
Why all the happiness of my life il
bounded by the walls of Hillcrest-
we planned the house together"