The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-03-07
The Flaming
Moment
QA@ 81
(><9
By KATHERINE HoPsoN
1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)

ESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSS$SSS$SS$SSSSSS
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
Bess \BrownelI linked her arm in
Patricia's as they went downstairs.
81 don't like to criticize people, espe-
cially when I'm visiting them, but l
must say l never saw a bridal party
where everybody concerned acted SO
much as if they wanted to crawfsh
out" she laughingly declared.
Patricia, who had just arrived,
looked surprised. Surely you must be
mistaken, Bess," she demonstrated, re-
Numbering the latter's propensity to
exaggerate things during their college
days.
Bess shook her curly head. "Tve
been here a week, and that's long
enough to-see good many things
BY this time they had reached the
dining room, where they were joined
by others, so the conversation neces-
Sarily became general.
Late that afternoon Patricia went
to the drug store on an errand, and as
she was leaving. rather shoWiiy
dressed young man came forward and,
with an apology for addressing her,
asked: "You are one of the Warren
hOuse-party, aren't your
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,
81 am an old friend of Miss Warren
she'll understand" he added with
disarming smile. He bowed courteous
~ and was gone.
That evening there was to be re
hearsal for the wedding, and as they
waited for the clergyman who was to
oficiate, Alice Marshall, Ada's mar
ried sister, proposed a little dance.
'There are five girls and FIVE men,
and 1 will play for you; so improve
the golden opportunity said she.
isn't Fred Landreth typical bride
groom? He's so pale and scared-look-
ing" whispered Bess, her dark eyes
shining impishly, as they stood to-
gether moment before the dancing
began. TO Patricia the gay strains Of
the music seemed intolerable. Some
how the whole affair seemed like a
travesty. Surely she did not have
these forebodlngs for nothingl She
could not bear to think of unhappiness
coming to Ada, who had been her dear
est friend at college, nor to Landreth,
either.
At that moment the doorbell rang
loudly. 1t was messenger boy with
a telegram.
'"This is to be delivered to Misther
Fred Landreth," said he.}
I'm your man." returned Landreth,
and signed for the message. He tore
open the yellow envelope and Patricia
saw his face grow grave.
as it bad newsT' she asked timid1y.
Read" He handed her the paper
mines at Ell Paso blown up. Gen.
eral instruction. Much damage.
Come"
rs it 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.
1.-The message sounds like it. Prob
ably all machinery is ruined"
II
things aren't as bad as they SEEM"
''Thank you, Pat. Good wishes help
I must go and tell Ada and the War
rens. 1 may have to start back to-
night"
He went over to the piano and said
q 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 as if she must be quiet, a few
minutes to get grip on herself.
''They mustn't see me so upset. 1t
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 Mr.. Warren came
downstairs and left the house. Pres
emily Landreth too came down and
also departed, and from her shadowy
corner Patricia observed that he wore
a look of grim determination.
Unable to bear the suspense, she
Joined the others, and learned that
Landreth had gone to send some tele-
grams and find out about trains.
HE may start tonight" explained
BeSs. Mrs. Marshall says the wedding
has been postponed. But if ! were in
Ada's place and loved him, I'd want to
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.
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