Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-06-11

He said something about this even
Ing she said TO herself. and a wistfuI
smile curved her pink lips.
Lena Gilbert. passing by, saw the
smile and maryeled. Her own lips
were set In straight scarlet line that
matched the vivid hue OF her cap. ut
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 plano. 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 n favorite
gathering place for the women before
dinner.
She was well within the great room
before she was aware that II was al
ready occupied and that her presence
was an intrusion. Langford Dale was
standing there, one elbow on the high
mautel 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
sxs.ftnfn kat ,,ti ..A t, aF ,,fy.
and curls Mt the back OF her head.
stood before him with flushed cheeks
and dropping eyes. As Felicia entered
Lena was saying:
II received your note. Lang. and I
am here"
The little scene smote sharply upon
! Felicia's happy mood. and the rosy
veil wns torn from her eyes. Before
either OF them had noticed her pres
encc she had vanished. Back to the
music room she few. her fingers crush
cd 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
favortte 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 brilliant scar
| lot poinsettia blossom and placed II
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
Langfori'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
err, but eonversed with their neighbors
at the table. Felicin's heart was bleed
ing and sore at the faithlessness OF
one whom she thought worthy Of her
love.
After dinner Laugford 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
morningv' called Lena Gilbert merri-
Iy as they all parted at the foot OF the
stairs at bedtime.
As they crowded around Miss Gu
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 early
train. too, Lang? You said you were
leaving In the morning, but Isn't II
inst n 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 come IN. Feliciar' she
inquired In a strained voice.
Certainly called Felicia, who sat
In her dressing gown before the hre-
II 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 Felicia's lap.
Mora found this today. ] thought
II might be for me. and I waited, bus
III 10 haA