Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1919-09-06

FL0RY
BY MILDRED WHITE.



Comstock, disgustedly, and laid the
book aside.
Whose 'twaddle'" asked sweet
voice near him, sis it,"
James glanced at the cover.
by Flory," he quoted cohtemptu-
ously. "Flory is exactly the sort Of
person one would expect to touch up
on her subjects, like butterfly among
the flowers, with no substance or real
ity to hold"
Haven't you," asked the girl at his
side, "imbibed some of Flory's poetic
phraseology? Now, know man who
Is enraptured over the little books,
considers them the acme of art. Ger
tainly they sell we'll"
James Comstock turned to look into
the piquant face appraised to his own.
Like various other guests at Mrs. Van
HOuton's house party, he was exceed
lngly curious concerning this new ar
rival in their social midst.
The rest of the crowd had been
known to each other, either by name
or reputation for years. Rhoda Kent
was one of Mrs. Van Houton's discov-
cries. To use her sons expression, his
mother had sprung a new one," and
she was delighted in her young
had been able to learn nothing OF
Rhodas past, present or future from
her own lips.
1t was the unusual charm of her per-
sonality which caused deep interest
upon all sides, and much conjecture.
Her clothing, though in good taste, was
SO independently simple that many
wondered il Mrs. Van HoutOn had
taken on a protege.
James Comstock, being acceptably
the most interesting man in the set,
was naturally her viS-a-vis. In fact,
during the days Of proximity In the
fine old house his heart had known its
first serious affection.
James, the heretofore invulnerable,
was, as Billy Van Houton said de
cidedly hard hit"
Never before, he gloomily admitted
to himself, had face or voice OF wom-
an haunted the nightly hours which
should be devoted to healthful slum-
Der So James was justified in pos
sessing more than the usual share OF
curiosity concerning the real life of the
winsome Rhoda.
Perhaps" he said In answer to her
defense of the book discussed. this
'Flory' may say more, in light man
ner than am clever enough to grasp.
But, fancy, for instance. being mar
ried to such dreamer. Poor husband
of Flory! With his wife always soar
ing above the blue. She isn't so bad at
rhyme, though, I'll admit; seems to
have a number of little verses scat
tered through here and there, with
bar of music to start them off. Helps
to sell, suppose. Makes the book
look easy to read"
Miss Kent nodded laughingly.
But you would not want to be the
suffering husband who must listen to
his wife singing those things around
the house." she said.
Heaven Forbid" James piously
CALCULATED And the lovely girl at his
side arose in response to Mrs. Van
Houton's call.
Come here. Rhoda," cried that mer-
~ person. Here are half a dozen
bored people wishing to be entertained.
My hope lies in you"
James Comstock gazed after the
graceful figure regretfully. The glance
she threw back at him was strangely
disquieting For days he had been
joyously secure In a consciousness OF
the girls preference. Unaccountably
encouragement came upon him.
Rhodas eyes had gaZed at him re-
proachfully, her lips had closed firmly,
as though in displeasure. Then pres
emily he heard her voice in song as
she accompa MED herself upon the
piano.
1t was a little Scotch tune that the
girl played and the words sounded
vaguely familiar. Comstock leaning
forward, listening attentively. found
that voice and tune thrilled him with
inexplicable tenderness. Where-had
-he-heard-the words?-
Idly his gaze fell upon the opened
hook of "Flory." Then he knew. 1t
was one of the despised Flory's verses
that his beloved was singing. And
after a round of involuntary hand
clapping he heard Mrs. Van Houton's
triumphant announcement:
81 had not intended to tell you for
awhile; we have had such fun keep
ing our secret But Rhoda Kent Is
'Flory,' as you have guessed, with
those delightful books to her credit"
Comstock sat staring DULY at the
volume in his hand long after silence
proclaimed that Rhoda's audience had
departed. Bitterly he recalled his re-
cent condemning conversation. with
its fervent Heaven Forbid" that
wife such as she should be his own.
Well, he had done for himself this
time. he bitterly reflected, and this