The Washington herald., 1913-11-10

fairy-like In build-you weigh near two
hundred" -
'slanderi Only q hundred and eightyI"
Joe interrupted. ID. 80.
She went on unheeding: But I'll re-
member you always ashore beautiful
than sun, moon, and stars singing to-
gether. Once in my life shall be q
hundred dollars hne-with the Granger
dance Just q fortnight ahead"
Margaret was Twenty-Five; the twins.
who came next her. twenty-five. Her
mother had died at her birth. Mai.
Ellis had consoled himself in six months.
His wife had been good 10 Margaret
making up to her as much as might be.
for her loss. Therefore, when she In
turn was taken, leaving half dozen
boys and girls, Margaret stepped into
her vacant place unhesitatingiy-the dead
woman had for years been head Of the
family owing to the rheumatism that
kept her husband prisoner most Of the
time.
There was no pinch of poverty-in-
deed. plenty Of everything, but 1t took
managing and contriving to keep out Of
debt. Margaret had a horror of It She
tried to make the others share II. But
the twins fretted not little. They were
beauties, gay and light-minded, who
craved the things they knew would set
on their looks. She did not give way
to them-rather gave up to them-turn-
ing, contriving. making over for herself,
the better to AFFORD handsome new frocks
and bonnets for her sisters.
She would not have minded the sac
rifces-only they were accepted as Of
right. Olivia, indeed, said openly: "Of
course you don't care for clothes-be-
ing SO much older. I'm Just miserable
II am not as well dressed as anybody
in the crowd"
II Alice were less outspoken Mar
gaIet knew her of the same mind.
Hence. the satisfaction with which she
viewed her present prospects-of which
she resolved to say nothing until the
very last
Party preparations kept the twins
very, very busy-they had new frocks
to make, pompadour affairs OF pale
pink and blue. Therefore" said Miss
Olivia to Margaret, you must wear
your white silk-it S years out Of fash
ion, / know-but your corn color would
simply kill our dresses. We want to
look our best when we meet the great
Jan Van Vert"
Wouldn't It be romantic II he fell
in love with us-and couldn't tell which
nor one from the other?" Alice cooed.
. Margaret laughed. You forget he's
a novelist" she said. Hes used to
making mysteries-so. OF course. they
don't puzzle him. What Pm curious
over is his real name. Somehow feel
in my bones it is Smith or Brown; also
that he lisps, and is about up to my
shoulder"
Margaret" cried the twins in a
breath. but Olivia did not forget to
add: You will wear white? That's a
good old thing"
Il will surely wear white" Margaret
answered. What is better, I am going
from Alwarden with Joe and his moth
er; so there will be room in the car
riage for your pride as well as your
frocks."
You'll wait IL we are later" Olivia
said carelessly.
Margaret hooded carelessly. saying:
Else leave Joe on guard. But you
had better be in time. Remember, 1t
is the early girl that catches the beau
sometimes"
Not If she-hapened to be born too
early" Olivia said with airy insolence.
Joe was waiting at the head Of the
stairs. Take your time-Mater dragged
Margaret in the minute they had their
cloaks or" he said almost gloomily.
Olivia asked in a whisper: rs Jan Van
Vert here?''
Thereupon Joe nodded, cleared his
throat and said: Don't you get heart
failure over it-he's quite ordinary"
where did you meet him." the twins
demanded in a breath.
Nowhere" said Joe. "OnIy-I know
some things about him that make me
know he's a sort of imposter."
well! Your aunt has invited him
and his book is a best seller" Olivia said,
tossing her head, and darting into the
dressing room after Alice.
They came out quickly-Joe had hardly
shifted comfortably to the other foot
He frowned, and looked glum-so much
so Olivia called him boor. Still-she was
rather glad of appearing under his es-
cort-the Awards were ieaders-and IL
Joe had not done 30 much in the law, his
wife was not likely ever to starve. He
rather effaced himself as they greeted
the hostess. She took him by both
shoulders, faced him about and said
clearly over his shoulder: Dear people
look at Jan Van WertI-who has made
me the proudest aunt In all the United
States"
In the hum and hubbub that followed,
and Alfca kent -toal. -