Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-03

Dimick's motive was not apparent IN
| her stout. coy old figure. her large.
| serene. amiable countenance She hao
toreseen that the scene would neeo 70
be arranged upon her entrance. Mr..
Bailey had the large porch CHAIR mar
| riet. quite withdrawn, a corner OF the
settee; Daisy. the hammock, ana, mere
| tore. the center of the stage: All three
young people rose as Mrs. Dimick gem
| tly and suggestively closed the screen
door behind her.
| Don't let me disturb you." she said;
kindly. But when Mr.. Bailey offered
his chair she dropped into 1t srate-
| fully. Mr., Bailey took another. when
offered better view of Harriet than
| of Daisy. Thus the whole scene was
| reset for Mrs. Dimck's edihcaton.
| She felt encouraged to proceed Lean
Ing back in the comfortable chair. she
began to manipulate the embarrassed
| silence that had followed her arrival:
Mrs. Dimick could talk and she loved
| to talk. Within ten minutes she had
| everything her own way. DAISY was
sulking in the hammock. unseen be-
cause unheard. Enchantment abandon
| ed her and a shadow obscured her race
Harriet. however. emerged as Daisy
| withdrew. She leaned forward almost
eagerly listening to Mrs. Dlmick. ne
| light was full on her face, which as
| if to do its part, glorified her. Hers
was the kind of face which looks best
| in plenty of light-strong, clear. es-
sentially feminine. And Mr.. Bailey had
! to see her,
! Mrs. Dimick, red by success. waxed
venturesome. Having captured Mr..
Baiey's interest, she labored to keep it.
| Seventy-two years of varied experience
/ had given her vast resources OF con-
| versa ton. 1t had been some time since
, she had entertained an audience as
| the big young man in the gray suit.
| She. liked young men; she particularly
liked this young man But she ala not
forget her goal. Cunningly, in proper
| time. she turned the limelight of her
wit upon Harriet. Without appearing
unpleasantly familiar or personal, she
severing. earnest. difficult young life.
She idealized Harriet; she made hero
inc of Harriet; she uplifted, strength
ened, urged Harriet, until Harriet, feel
ing SO much friendly influence like a
tenderly enfolding mantle about her,
was led to speak of herself. Whereupon
| Mr.. Bailey was also led to speak OF
| himself. The conversation, drifting
subtly away from Mrs. Dimick, became
almost an exchange of confidence be-
tween Harriet and Mr.. Bailey.
; 1t was then Mrs. Dimick rose gently
and with all her old woman's dignity
sprang up to offer her some further
/ Difference. but she put him aside calm
ly and touched the young Daisy per-
son on the shoulder. Come with me
| my dear" she said.
| The young Daisy person had to go
| And she did not slam the door. Mrs
! Dimick took her into the little back
den where voices could not be heard
| Il know she said. with stately I'M
Outstanding. that it's inconvenient for
you to give up the piazza when Mr.
Bailey calls upon Harriet, but the back
porch is really very pleasant, and
| should love to have you sit there with
me. Some day, my dear. you will have
a beau of your own and then you will
see just how awkward it is to have q
third person about, not to say q
fourth"
An hour later she climbed to her
room Daisy was safe abed. Below or
the veranda Mr.. Bailey was taking a
prolonged farewell of Harriet Ketch-
am. AS Mrs. Dimick reached up to
draw down the shade she heard the
| sound of kiss.
Good night again, dearest" said Mr.
Bailey.
Mrs, Dimick drew a deep breath
| Thank goodness she said.
(THE ENID