Bridgeton pioneer., 1912-12-26


AS they hurried indoors Amy, in a
warm crimson serge gown, stood in
the porch and rallied them on their
early rising
He said something about this even
ing she said TO herself. AID wistful
smile curved her pink lips.
Lena Gilbert. passing by. saw the
smile and marveled. Her own lips
were set in a straight scarlet line that
matched the vivid hue of her cap. 1T
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 to the music
room and opened the piano. She loved
these half hours of music. when in the
sound proof room she played softly to
herself. dreaming as she played.
When she had finished with dain
ty, airy thing that seemed to express
her own light heartedness she went
to the library. The evening papers
would be here, and it was favorite
gathering place for the women before
dinner.
She was well within the great room
before she was aware that it was al
ready occupied and that her presence
was an 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 a mass of puffs
and curls at the back of her head,
stood before him with flushed cheeks
and dropping eyes AS Felicia entered
Lena was saying:
81 received your note, Lang, and
am here"
The little scene smote sharply upon
Felicia's happy mood, and the rosy
veil was torn from her eyes. Before
either of them had noticed her pres
ence she had vanished. Back to 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. and her face was as waxen as
the white lilies of the valley on her
bosom. Those were Langford Dale's
favorite flowers.
All at once she laughed shortly and
tossed the flowers from her. She cross
ed the room to another door and en-
tered the small conservatory. Here
she deliberately chose a brilliant scar
let poinsettia blossom and placed it
against the white of her gown. 1t
gave color to her cheeks and lips
when she went to the dining room.
Felicia did not glance at 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 Lena's eyes flashed
terrible anger and contempt and that
the two did not once address each 9th.
er, but converSed with their neighbors
at the table. Felicia's heart was bleed
ing and sore at 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-
ly as they all parted at the foot of the
stairs at bedtime.
AS they crowded around Miss Gil
bert. each one adding his or her word
of regret at her going. Felicia over
heard Jimmy Folsom speaking to Lang
ford Dale. You going on that c"rly
train. too, Lang? You said you were
leaving in the morning, but isn't it
Just a bit-eh?' he chuckled disagree
ably.
Don't be an ass. Jimmy" growled
Langford.
"Well, you told me half hour ago
that business suddenly required your
presence in town. But Felicia did
not hear the rest. She said goodby to
Lena Gilbert and then went up to her
room. the unhappiest girl in the world
if one excepted Lena Gilbert
Just as midnight was striking in the
hall below Lena came tapping at her
door. May l come in. Felicia" she
inquired in strained voice.
Certainly" called Felicia, who sat
in her dressing gown before the fire.
If there were traces of tears on her
cheeks she had forgotten to remove
them. and so she and Lena Gilbert
stared at each others woebegone faces
without word At last Lena brought
a crumpled sheet of paper from her
bosom and laid it in Feicia's lap.
"Nora found this today ! thought