The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-04-21
CONSOLATION PRIZE
BY KATHERINE HoPsoN.

THE race is to the fit Because his
sprained ankle debars him from the
skating party l am invited to remain
as the consolation prize. Otherwise,
l should hardly have chance to
speak to the noted lion" Gail Bent
ley's tone was bitter as she voiced her
thoughts aloud before her dressing
table.
Bitterness was not usually a quail
ity Of her nature, but she was still
smarting from her sister Edith's laugh
ing remark.
Mr.. Reynold is safe with you" she
had said. 81 wouldn't trust him to an
afternoons tete-a-tete with any one
else"
Yes, he's safe enough. Any girls
admirer would be-" Gail studied her
reflection grimly. In spite of her dis
paragement, 1t was really a pretty
face that looked back in the mirror
sensitive and high bred. with delicate
features and big serious eyes, That
was the trouble, the whole face was
too serious-it was devoid of girlish-
ness and vivacity.
THE queer part of 1t is, Gail really
looks like Edith people were wont to
declare, but she is SO sober, and her
sister is all sparkle and charm" 1t
was this which had attracted Bertram
Reynold, a noted portrait painter, who
was guest of honor at Mrs. Gre
der's house party. From the first
he had paid marked attention to her
beautiful niece, Edith. and had asked
permission to paint her as the cen
trail figure In a new picture he was
working on. He had made several
sketches of her in different poses and
all was going successfully until two
days ago. when Reynold met with an
accident while hunting, and sprained
his ankle, thus being debarred from
the skating party, which was to be
the GROWING event of the week.
Such a pity, too," Gail heard her
Aunt Myra remark to Mrs. Kelley as
they entered the formers little sitting
room across the hall. Just when
things were getting interesting Edith
is such picture in her skating cos
tune and new mink furs; and skins
over the ice like bird. OF course she
must go-she's the life of the party
So I've asked Gail to stay and help n.s
entertain Mr.. Reynold this afternoon.
She will not hinder Edith's chances"
Tears rose in Calls eyes. is that
what every one thinks of me-merely
a foil for Edith"
IT'S true she is picture" Gail ad-
mitted later as the skating party
started off in the big sleigh. Edith's
piQuant face was aglow under the
scarlet Tam. The fur scarf was
thrown carelessly about her shout
ders revealing glimpse of her snowy
neck
This brought to Gail pang of real
ization of how her own sensitive
throat always kept her from doing
those graceful, careless things like
other people. Il always have to bun
die up like an old womanl"
AS the sleigh disappeared from view,
she turned with a sigh from the hall
window to enter the library Mr.. Rey-
mold was comfortably ensconced in
big Morris chair. with Aunt Myra sit
ting near, crocheting and chatting
pleasantly. Gail was glad she was
there, and entered the room feeling a
little less shy and constrained.
How shall / entertain him all the
afternoon" she wondered but soon
found there was no occasion to worry
about that, for Mr. Reynold did the en-
tertaining. He was telling about his
student days in New York and Paris.
Gail found herself listening as to
fascinating romance. Even when a
caller came to see her aunt on bust
ness and she left the room, Gail still
felt interested and at ease-like other
girls.
She was wearing a dress of warm
gray, with a wide crimson girdle and
touches of the same at the neck. Be
hind her were some heavy portieres
of deeper shade of red.
Suddenly, in the midst of what he
was saying Reynold broke of with:
Would you let me sketch you, Miss
Bentley-as you are sitting now?"
In wonderment that any one should
ask such a thing, she gave consent;
and still chatting, Reynold turned to
his easel and began to work.
AS his interest grew, he became con-
f1dential, and told her some of the
hopes and plans for future work. and
Gail forgot to be constrained and
shy.
Mrs. Creder returned, and on see
ing that her guest WAS well entertain
ed, withdrew to attend to the hundred
and one duties which were hers as
hostess of large house party.
Both Gail and the artist were sur
prised when the waning day told that
the short winter afternoon was gone.
A few minutes later the skaters re-
turned with glowing accounts of the
afternoons pleasure. During the con-
fusion Gail slipped away-the little
left-out feeling again returning. Now
that more attractive girls had come,
she was no longer needed-or want
ed! She had noticed Reynolds eyes
brighten with pleasure at the sight of
Ediths glowing face, and that of pref
ty Lucy Bowers, another charming
guest.
will 1t always be like this, l won
der? Shall just fill in chinks left by
more fortunate people? Why is it
why% She knew Of many girls who
were really much palmer than she,
who had many attractions and good
times.
Thus the old order was resumed and
continued until the close of the house
party, which came the following Sat
urday.
Wen all meet again this spring. l
hope. when / have my picture exhib-
It. I'll send every one invitations"
declared Reynold in his pleasant, cor
dial way.
Accordingly. the following April. ell
those who were among the guests at
Mrs. Creder's house party received the
coveted cards. Mrs. Creder invited
her nieces to stay with her that week.
The evening before the exhibit she
came into their room, her face abeam,
and in her hand the evening paper.
Read she cried triumphantly,
spreading it out before Edith.
There was a notice Of Mr.. Bertram
Reynolds famous annual exhibit of
pictures which was to take place the
next day. Near the close the article
said; "The cream of the collection is