The Washington herald., 1913-12-05
VISITING PHILOMELA.
BY IzoLA FoRREsrER.
Copyright. isls.)

4
1T is a restful beauteous spot, Geral-
dine" said the bishop in a rebuking
| tone.
Geraldine never even turned from the
| window. Out of doors II was raining
"a slow, gray November downpour.
Through it the distant mountains looked
Ike heavy, low hanging clouds The
trees were bare and desolate. Geraldine's $
heart felt bare and windswept and DESC
late and there were tears in her blue
| eyes.
II hate 1t. Uncle Ted" she flung back
miserably. 81 won't stay here. II YOU
don't take me right straight, back with
you, I'll run of to those horrible noun
tains and die"
The Bishop smiled at her pleasantly
and consulted his time table.
You'll grow to like it, my child. and
your Cousin Philomela is a charming
woman when you-er-grow to know her.
The change will do you good
''Oh, l know why I'm being planted
down here. You needn't try to gloss il
over one bit, Uncle Ted" Geraldine
| turned suddenly and made for the wide
| fiat-topped desk. Planting her hands on
its glossy surface, she faced the bishop
| belligerently. You're all against me,
even mother, and you've fixed this up
so can't sail on the 20th. After I've
made all my plans for the year in Paris ''
Ridiculous, a year in Paris alone, "
said the Bishop. In the first place,
Gerry, your voice is very mediocre, my
dear, very. In Fairfield It was a won
der. There are many voices which as
tonlsh the little Fairhelds of the land.
Transplanted to New York or Paris they
cannot be heard. You have a pretty,
light mezza soprano utterly unfit for even
concert work"
Geraldine stared down at him. For a
whole week she had been trying to get
used to Greenacres, Cousin PhIlomela's S
home on the Virginia bank of the Poto-
mac, 1t might have been pleasant in
summer and spring. In early December
it was desolate. Yet she had managed
to exist some way. II ft had not been
for the long rides every time the rain
stopped, she would have fed long ago
But at least there had been the rides,
and the man in the military cloak. She
had never told the bishop of him. Some
how now. as she thought OF staying here
pertorCe. he came back as the one induce
ment.
IF you visit Philomela until after
Christmas" continued the bishop, be-
nevolently. land are willing to give up
this notion thereafter. you are 10 join
your mother and me IN the West"
And II / dont?"
You may visit PhiIomela indeh-
nitely'
After the bishop had taken his depar-
ture. and Philomela had tried to comfort
her. Gertrude opened the window wide to
the night air. and let the wind blow on
her face and throat. Below was a bal
cony. and from that JIIst a step TO the
ground.
She heard the dull thud of horses hoofs
on the wet grass before she could see
any shape, and stood holding her breath
a slender, eager figure silhOuetted against
the golden patch OF the window space.
Just for a moment she saw him in the
lamps glow as he crossed its path Of
light the same youthful, reckless figure
on the bay horse, and the military cloak
flung back from one shoulder, as he
looked up at her. and lifted his cap.
Phil, dear" said Geraldine at break
fast the next morning. with suspicious
friendliness. Who are your neighbors?''
We haven't any near ones, I'm sorry
to say. There are the Seatons about J