Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-16

lis game as though she had not
spoken That was irritating enough
he had been playing Canliel1 all
the rainy afternoon. Ii was now close
Upon O'Clock Elena was In several
minds With regard to having tea as
usual The table in action made
lingering inevitable to-any casual
body dropping III. However, she
might loathe the inelegant Maria with
whom Dicky Dorr, her pet cousin,
WAS so uniustifiably smitten, she
could not show inhospitalty in her
own house, even though it were no
more than Il scrambling rented
bungalow. set far upon pny Mill
side
She had hoped to be so happy there
with her boys-Dick and Hubert
Being their elder by ten years, her
dearest privilege was to fuss over and
plan for them. Theoretically she ad-
mitted man had better choose ms
own wife Practically, she was firm
in the belief that in choosing her he
should have regard to much more
than his own Vagrant fancy Dick
was, though she did not own ii eN-
cept TO her own soul, even dearer
than her own brother. He was so
like the elder brother, Glena's be-
trothed, who had been killed in
train wreck While on his way TO
marry her Dick had grown into her
heart as the child that might have
been theirs He was so brilliant, SO
winning, withal SO guileless, she felt
a need of double vigilance regarding
his heart entanglements.
Il win. Guess WHAT" Hubert
asked looking up from his cards.
She shook her head impatiently.
TEA Three cups of it," he said
laughing softly Got almost a case
of brain fag-this sort of thing is
SO eXhausting. Therefore, played
with myself for--courage to demand
it, knew by your looks you were
in doubt about having it-for fear OF
giving aid and comfort to the enemy"
Did Dick say anything Elena
began.
A stamp of feet, budding swish
of wet garments, interrupted her,
and made answer superfluous. The
door was flung wide without knock
ing, showing outside Dick, shaking
rain drops from his bare head, and
half dragging forward a girl obvious
lN i'll at ease.
Saved" he cried dramatically at
sight of the lighted spirit lamp But
please, oh please ma'am, don't mock
the furnishing with snowflake sand
witches and fairy tea cakes. You see
before you two desperate adventuf-
ers,. nlarooned by the rain since
way. way before lunch time, up on
HE cliIfsidc, overlooking the water.
Ledge sheltered us-thouSht 1t was
hut a shower and stuck. Now, ]
feel in my bones there's cold chicken
in the iceboN with all the trimmings.
| may 30 get it2'
No | will do 1t while YOU and
Hubert make Miss Danforth COM
Portable" Elena said with her very
finest manner. She had before that
shaken hands with entire correct
ness, and set Marin down in her own
place beside the hearth, upon which
Two hickory logs smoldered in a vel
of gray, ashes.
Maria looked after her retreatlns
figure. her lips pursuing little
wish We had gone on. she said under
breath TO Dick. who knelt beside
her unlacing her wet shoes.
Provoked as he was with his
motherly cousin, he could not help
wishing the shoes were different
less clumsy in build, in shaping
Until then he had not noted how fiat
was Maria's foot. Moreover, there
were actually holes in her stockings,
not such as "a mornings tramp would
explain and excuse, but big. generous
gaps at both heel and toe. The wearer
stretched out her foot toward the
fire. Zone more wear will about fin
ish them" she said. II never darn
stockings--it is such a waste of time
and eyesight.'
Let me lend you dry stockings,
Elena said, coming in with heavily |
laden tray. i
Hubert sprang up to relieve her !
smotheriug a grin as he turned his
back to the Preside.
Marie looked up doubtfully II
don't know that can get on yours"
she said. you have such little feet.
Don't you hate to feel they would in
capacitate you in any great emer-
gency?"
I'm unlikely to encounter emer-
gencies greater than the present,
Elena said gravely, dropping her lids
to veil the satisfaction in her eyes.
1t was bred by what she had sur
prised in Dicks speaking face-a
rueful disgust that made her heart
leap. BE off to wash your hands
and face, SIR she said to him in her
manner of fifteen years back. You
are smudge all down behind one ear
and have snip on your nose. No
you cannot have one tiny bit of
anything while you keep dirty
face"
stockings can watt Maria said,
reaching FOR. bread and butter and
taking a slice at two bites. Maybe
you've never been real hungry To
Elena. II could eat my grandmother
right now-if there were nothing
else
How about your husband? The
way Madame Spider does?" Hubert
asked, his eyes twinkling.
Dick had vanished obediently.
Elena was busy pouring tea
Three ldmps. please-and make it
half cream at least" Maria said UNI
asked
Elena obeyed with a little hover
ing smile
Maria had wheeled so far about
the holey stocking was in full evil
dence. Dick. coming back much fresh
ened, was aghast at the parade of
them. You'd better go change" he
said with touch of authority. You
don't mind us, of course but other
people may drop in"
What if they do Maria an
swered with the least shrug, instantly
setting her beautiful white teeth !
deep in a chicken wing held between
finger and thumb. I'm not deceit
ful Asybody may know all about |
me. And | couldn't get three toes
in Miss Garys slippers
How about mine?" Hubert broke !,
in, rushing to his bedroom and re
turning with pair of handsome soft
sandals
Maria slipped her feet in them ,
with the air of one who submits To
senseless prejudice for the sake of
peace. Surveying her extremities
she ran almost acidly You see /
WAS rioht-we really ought to have I