The Prescott daily news., 1913-11-13
|SRE LIKED GAY PLUMAGE;
BY JULIA MAXWELL.

'Ao' oiu hot approve OF anything tnat
would attract attention That was
why she objected to ESTES wearing a
brand-new bonnet with the dazzling
yellow feather.
I'D rather you wouldn't wear that
hat. Essie," said Aunt Linda Mallow.
1T looks fast"
Essie bit her lip in disappointment.
put away the gorgeous thing of SHIN
mering yellow and donned a plain
black-an-blue straw which her aunt
had selected for her on her last visit
to the city a year before.
That looks more like you, my dear.
Young girls are apt to be misunder-
stood when the wear conspicuous
hats
But, Auntie. do love bright things.
Other girls wear them, and nice girls.
too. I'm sure"
Aunt Linda was not disposed to
argue the question. Besides, the cleo
trc was waiting for them at the curb.
The last few days Of her New York
visit Essie spent with a girl friend.
And when she passed through the gate
at the Grand Central station bound for
the train that was to take her to her
home In an upstate town, she was
wearing the hat with the inviting yell
low feather. For Aunt Linda was not
along, and her chum, who came to the
station with her, adored the hat.
Essie was gregarious young wom-
an. In the small town where she lived
1t was habit for people to be neigh
borly. So when the middle-aged man
in the parlor car seat across the aisle
offered her a magazine, she accepted 1t
with smile and nod Of the yellow
feather. When she entered the dining
car for luncheon and the dining car
conductor placed her opposite the
same man, she was not displeased He
was well-groomed, interesting look
ing man. And Ess!e liked men. When
the stranger suggested that she order
lunch for both of them, Essie didn't
deadly stupid. or course, she realized
that Aunt Linda would be Mortified at
such proceeding, but Aunt Linda was
old-fashioned. 1t was common talk in
the family that Linda was entirely too
difildent, too reserved. She was not
nearly SO popular as her sisters. who
were Of more sociable mien. However.
never q breath Of scandal had attached
to Linda's name, and there were some
Of the family that-well. that's quite
another matter.
Dssie enjoyed the luncheon, and
way to pay the check. her protesta-
tons were quickly swept away. AS
the man piloted her back to her chair
in the parlor car, she was conscious OF
a certain guilty feeling. but she put It
from her. How could girl be expect
ed to do anything else? She was only
human. and she liked to talk to peo-
pie. She couldn't play any kind Of a
game by herself. There are many
young girls like Essie.
1t was only twenty minutes until
ESTES home town would be reached.
She was rather sorry. She was having
such good time.
I'D like to see you again." said the
man. meaningly.
"Oh. thank you," laughed the girl.
I've enjoyed meeting YOU"
But you don't live far from Buffalo,
and haven't you some friends there
that you could tell your parents you
were going to visit-while you really
came down to spend few days with
met l know q nice little place where
we could 90 and be undisturbed.
Here's my card. That's my office ad-
dress. Write me when you can get
away"
Essie was dumfounded. All the
color had gone out Of her face. She
felt sick to the very depths Of her.
She simply couldn't speak. The card
dropped from her nerveless fingers.
But the stranger did not understand.
His eyes glittered strangely. while the
mark of the beast was In every line of
his face. You're a great little kiddo."
he said, land there isn't anything /
wouldn't do for you. Do you think you
could come down to see me In few
days?'
The girl found voice. but still 1t was
not her own voice. 1t was the voice OF
a girl who has suddenly had every
ideal and illusion knocked from under
her.
"Oh, oh. you horrible thing, you!
I|I-you've made a mistake. Oh,
hate you, hate you! l never want to
see you again, never!"
When calm came, Essie was Ia her
own room at home-alone. She was
glad she was alone. All the Joy had