The Press., 1918-07-04
The Flaming Moment
 @0 By KATHERINE. HoPsoN
(Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
 per Syndicate.)

Patricias as they went downstairs. Il don't like to criticize people, espe- cially when I'm visiting them, but l must say never saw a bridal party where everybody concerned acted so much as If they wanted to crawtish out" she laughingly declared.
 Patricia, who had just arrived, looked surprised. Surely you must be mistaken, Bess," she remonstrated, re- membering the latter's propensity to exaggerate things during their college days.
 Bess shook her curly head. "Pve been here a week, and that's long enough to-see a good many things"
 By this time they had reached the dining room, where they were Joined by others, so the conversation neces- SariIy became general. Nor were they alone together again that evening. But Patricia thought over those words many times next day, when she and the other young people decorated the house with roses and Smilax for the wedding. Apparently everyone was blithe and gay, but over ul was an un. miStakable atmosphere of tenseneSs and fOreboding.
 | Late that afternoon Patricia went to the drug store on an errand, and us she WAS leaving, A rather Showily dressed young man came forward and, with an apology for addressing her, asked: You are one of the Warren houSe-party, aren't youT
 She acknowledged this fact, and he drew from his pocket an envelope. Then I'm going to ask you to do me the favor of giving this to Miss Ada Warren, when you have the chance to see her alone" Almost inVoluntarily she took the letter. her gray eyes raised question ingly.
 "I am an old friend of Miss Warren she'll understand" he added with a disarming smile. He bowed courteous ly and WAS gone.
 With deepening misgivings, she cOm- piled with his request. Ada's child like face whitened when she saw the writing, but she offered no expIana- | tiOn.
 That evening there was to be a re- hearSal for the wedding, and as they waited for the clergyman who was to Officiate, Alice Marshall, Ada's mar ried sister, pEPpOSed a little dance.
 There ags five girls and five men, and I will play for you; so improve the golden opportunity !" said she.
 "Isnt Fred Landreth a typical bride grOOmf He's so pale and scared-lOOk- ing" whispered Bess, her dark eyes shining impishly, as they stood to- gether a moment before the dancing began, To Patricia the gay strains of the music seemed intOlerable. Some how the whole affair seemed like 8 trayesty. Surely she did not have these fOrebOdings for nothing! She could not bear to think of unhappiness coming to Ada, who had been her dear est friend at college, nor to Landreth, either. Surely, after his hard struggle in the business world, he deserved happiness. Sine thought of that hap py summer on the Maine coast two years ago, when she and Ada had first met him. At first he had paid more attention to her, and she had thought -. Patricia pulled herself together sharply. Those were memories she must never think of again, for to- morrow he was to marry her dearest friend.
 At that moment the dOOrbell rang loudly. It was a messenger boy with q telegram.
 This is to be delivered to Misther Fred Landreth," said he.
 "Pm your man." returned Landreth, and signed for the message. He tore open the yellow envelope and Patricia saw his face grow grave.
 ''Is 1t bad news?' she asked timidly.
 Read" He handed her the paper.
 Mines at Ei PasO blown up. Gen. eral insurrectiOn. Much damage. Come"
 "Is 1t very bad, do you suppose" Even as she asked, Patricia subcOn- sciOusly wondered why we are prone to ask futile questions In time of crisis.
 'The message sounds like 1t. Prob ably all machinery is ruined"
 "Oh, Fred, I'm so sorry. hope things aren't as bad as they seem." Voice and eyes were sympathetic.
 Thank you, Pat. Good wishes help. 1 must go and tell Ada and the War; rens. I may have to start back to- night"
 He went over to the plano and said few words to Alice Marshall. The gay strains of the fOx-trOt stopped \ abruptly.
 Please take my place little while," she said to Bess. who sat nearby, and left the room with Landreth. Pa tricia slipped away to the veranda. She felt us If she must be quiet, few minutes to get grip on herself.
 '"They mustn't see me so upset. It would seem strange"
 Through the half-Open door she saw Alice return and call the others to her. They stood in little group, talk ing earnestly, and Mir. Warren came downstairs and left the house. Pres ently Landreth too came down and also departed, and from her shadOwy corner Patricia observed that he wore look of gr.9 determination.
 Unable to bear the suspense, she | joined the others, and learned that | Landreth had gone tO send some tele | grams and find cut about trains.
 He may start tonight" explained , Bess. Mrs. Marshall says the wedding | has been postponed. But If I were In ] Adas place and loved him, I'd want to 1 go and help him, wouldn't yOu?"
 "Yes." Patricia made tense answer | and excused herself to go upstairs. | She felt that she would not stay and | discuss the situation.
 On the way to the room she was obliged to pass Mrs. Warren's door. She was in chair by the table, and her crumpled attitude, so different from her usual erect dignity. touched | Patricfa's tender heart. ImpulSiveIy | she started to go in, then seeing Ada and her sister on the sofa, and fearing | that her coming was inODnOrtune. she |