Newport daily independent., 1913-09-22
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TWAS BY TELEPHONE
By Cl-ARISSA MACkIE.

Whirr of the telephone that might de fer his coming.
 Something he had whispered last evening had hinted at his errand, and she was aglow with her honest love for him; and charming in her favorite pale blue gown with pink rose at her waist
 The telephone bell whirred and she heard Biddys light step as she went through the hall to answer it. Then she heard the girls musical Irish voice.
 You? What-never, Mick Doolan not ii never married all my days and Biddy slammed up the receiver, and Lydia heard her heels clicking toward the kitchen.
 A little smile crinkled the corners of Lydia's red lips. She had heard from Biddy of the opportunities of Micky Doolan who was wild to marry the tord's pretty maid. Biddy was quite fascinated by Andre, the chauffeur, who flirted outrageously with her, and so poor Micky who was elevator start CT in a big office building had been relegated to the background.
 But Lydia soon ceased to think of Biddy and her love affairs. It was a pleasanter pastime to dream about her own. But where was Dick Fellowes with his story, now?
 At ten o'clock Lydia went softly up- stairs and sat with an open book be- fore her which she did not read. Her eyes were more often fixed on the bed side telephone.
 That is all over" said Lydia tragic ally as she snapped out her electric light and crept into bed. That she cried herself to sleep no one knew but her self.
 Up in Biddy's chamber under the mansard roof another girl was weep ing into her pillow. The cook had told Biddy that Andre was keeping steady company" with French manicurist.
 Yes, old Dicky went to Canada on that hunting trip he talked about" bab- bled Willie Blair in Lydia's pretty pink ear the very next evening.
 Went today?" asked Lydia with a dizzy look in her brown eyes.
 "Yes-grouchy as bear, too. Elem ing said Dicks girl had given him the mitten-you know he was some sweet on little Alma Raymond?"
 No, I didn't know it," answered poor Lydia with a pitiful attempt at smile.
 "Yes." went on the gentle gossip amiably. q put two and two together and the sum I make is that poor old Dick has been put out of the game, and that explains his sudden depar- ture"
 How could he leave business at this time?" asked Lydia indifferently.
 Prescott is taking his place-isn't this our dance?" and MT. Blair changed the topic as they circled the ball room in time to the dreamy music of the palm screened orchestra. 1 When Lydia reached home that night Biddy let her into the house and followed her upstairs to her pretty bed | room. Lydia sank down in a soft chair and extended one little slippered 1 foot.
 "CA, Biddy, am so tired" she said with little catch in her voice.
 "r:a sorry, Miss Lydia. Shall I bathe them? I'll have the basin ready in moment" Presently Lydia was com 1 fortable in dressing gown with her | pink feet in Biddy's capable hands. Biddy rubbed vigorously while Lydia sat there with closed eyes thinking of what Willie Blair had said about Dick Fellowes and Alma Raymond. It couldn't be true, sine told herself, not after what Dick had whispered to her the night before last. muffied | sob startled her and she opened her eyes to see Biddy's hot tears falling on her feet.
 "Why, Biddy, what is the matter? Are you in trouble?" asked Lydia sym pathetically.
 Biddy wiped away the tears and lift ed her reddened eyes. Excuse me, Miss Lydia, didn't ought to break down before you but" her voice quavered into silence.
 But what, Biddy?" asked Lydia gen. tly.
 Biddy drew a long sigh.
 Men is deceivers. ma'am." she sobbed.
 q am sorry you have found them so," faltered Lydia, startled at this voicing of her own troubled thoughts.
 "Yes, ma'am."
 "It isn't Micky Doolan?" Partly, ma'am." | "And-Andre, Biddy?" Biddy's face went into her hands. reddened and rough with honest toll. Her shoulders shook with her deep sobs. "Its him mostly, Miss Lydia, begging your pardon for telling you my troubles. and you that tired after your dancing all night-but there's mo- body but c-c-c-cook to tell. and she warned me against him." "Tell me all about it, Biddy." "There ain't no more to tell, ma am. Andre was married this afternoon to z-.,.u U>rop oh cir1 who works in a mani