Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-16
THE DAILY STORY
Inelegant Mariai

brows duizzlcally. but went on with his
game as though she had not spoken.
That was irritating enough-he had been
playing Conheid all the rainy afternoon.
1t was now close upon o'clock Elena
was In several minds with regard to hav-
ing tea as usual. The table in action
made lingering inevitable to-any casual
body dropping in. However she might
loathe the inelegant Maria with whom
Dicky Dorr, her pet cousin, was so un-
justihably smitten, she could not show
inhospltality in her own house, even
though It were no more than a scram-
bling rented bungalow, set fair upon
piney hillside.
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 admitted man
had better choose his own wife. Practi-
cally she was Arm 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 It ex-
cept to her own soul, even dearer than
her own brother. He was so like the
elder brother. Elena's betrothed, 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 win
ming. withal so guileless, she felt a need
OF double vigilance regarding his heart
entanglements.
II win. Guess wnatT-' Hubert asked
looking up from his cards. She shook
her head impatiently. Teal Three cups
OF It," he said, laughing softly. Got
almost a case OF brain-fag-this sort of
pNhanStinR TharofOra I
played with myself for courage to de-
mand II. l knew by your looks you we're
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 superfuous. The door was flung
wide without knocking, showing outside
Dick. shaking raindrops from his bare
head, and half dragging forward a girl
obviously 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 famishing
with snowflake sandwiches and fairy tea
cakes. You see before you two desperate
adventurers, marooned by the rain since
way, way before lunch time, up on the
cliftside, overlooking the water. Ledge
sheltered us-thought 1t was but a shower
and stuck. Now, 1 feel In my bones
there's cold chicken in the icebox, with
all tho trimmings. I may go get it?'
mo, will do it while you and Hubert
make Miss Danforth comfortable" Elena
said with her very finest manner. She
had before that shaken hands with entire
correctness, and set Maria down In her
own place beside the hearth. upon which
two hickory logs smoldered in a veil or
gray ashes.
Maria looked after her retreating
figure, her lips pursuing a little. "I wish
we had gone on" she said under her
breath to Dick, who knelt beside her un-
lacing her wet shoes.
Provoked as he was with his motherly
cousin, he could. not help wishing the
shoes were difterent-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 stock
lngs, not such as a mornings tramp
would explain and excuse, but big, gener-
Gus gaps at both heel and toe. The wear
er surveyed them TRANQUILITY as she
stretched her foot toward the fire. zone
more wear will about finish them" she
said. 81 never darn stockings-it Is such
waste of time and eyesight."
Let me lend you dry stockings" Elena
said, coming in with a heavily laden
tray.
Maria looked up doubtfully. don't
know that l can get on yours" she said.
you have such little feet. Don't you
hate to feel they would incapacitate you
In any great emergency?"
I'm unlikely to encounter emergencies
greater than the present" Elena said
gravely, dropping her lids TO veil the
satisfaction in her eyes. 1t was bred
by what she had surprised in Dick s
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 Is years back. You are
smudge all down behind one ear-and
have snip on your nose. No-you can
not have one tiny bite of anything while
you keep a dirty face"
I'm going to have something-stock-
ings can wait" Maria said, reaching for
bread and butter and taking a slice at
two bites Maybe you've never been
real hungry" TO Elena. IT 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.
Three Jumps, please-and make 1t half
cream at least" Maria said unasked
Elena obeyed, with a little lowering
smile.
Maria had wheeled so far about the
holey stocking was in full evidence.
Dick, coming back much freshened, was
|
better go change" he said, with a touch
| Of authority. You don't mind us, OF
course-but other people may drop in"
What II they do?" Maria answered
with the least shrug, instantly setting
| her beautiful white teeth deep In a
| chicken wing. held between finger and
| thumb. I'm not deceitful-anybody may
| know all about me. And ! couldn't gel
three toes In Miss Gary's slippers"
How about miner" Hubert broke in
rushing to his bedroom and returning
| with a 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. Sur
veying her extremities she ran almos,
| acidly; You see | was right We ca Is
ought to have gone on home. THERE
am understood"
How fortunate!" Eleana made haste tC
| say Also haw uncommon. Mosi
/ geniuses have had TO contend with
their nearest and dearest-"
That was because they went about
things wrong" Marie interrupted con,