The Press., 1920-03-11

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 Lakeside, the beautiful summer home of Mrs. Carter, gleamed like ali enchanted palace in the moonlight while from the brightly lighted ball- room came the strains ot music, mingled with the sound of dancing and youthful laughter Everybody seemed happy. except one. From the shadows of the upper balcony overlooking the ballroom young man watched me gay scene below with froWn. Ana as he caught sight from time to tune of certain fairy-lille figure among the dancers, a look of almost bitter pain swept over his fine features.
 "Why, Phil, my dear boy J! ek- claimed the hostess, spying the Watch- ing figure in the shadow as she strolled by with another matr9n. "Arent you dancing?" He answered haltingly that he had headache; didn't feel up to it tonight. I'm afraid you young peo- ple stayed out on the lake in the sun too long today,' replied Mrs. Carter' "What g pity! And this IS fhoepe , last night here, too.'
 Phoehes last night! Phil knew that, only too well. And again search ing her out among the dancing throhS' he followed the lovely sirllsh hE'lre in silvery chiffOnS with longing eyes, Nuttcrinr an excuse to Mrs. Carter about getting some fresh ar, he turned away and left the balcony, folloWe" bv his hostess voice bidding him come back later.
 Avoiding the gay groups on the yer anda Phil made his way through 'lle shrubbery, and dropping down on d bench by the shining lake, gave llhl- self up to his bitter thoughts. Nllh 'he strains from the ballroom ringing faintlv in his ears, he closed his eyes to shut out the bright moonlight ana went over in h.S mind bit by Dlt HIS acuuaintance with Phoebe, Mrs. Car tcr's niece. from the day in June Whch she arrived. d stranger to them all, up to tonight. when she had come to mean everything to him. He had thought hey quite the incest girl he d ever met that first day, when, arriving al noon she found the rest of the house party gone for d tramp and d picnic, and he her aunt'S nearest neighbor, had taken her out in his canoe on the lake TOT the afternoon. He taught her how to paddle the canoe and the memory o1 her in her simple blue %in%lanl dress with her golden hair blowing about her laughing face, came back to nm tonight so clearly that he groaned ana buried his face in his hands. For he had never seen her in any simple &ln%- ham gowns again.
 Chic morning dresses ana sport suits. correct yachting costumes 'ar! embroidered things for afternoon aho beautiful evening gowns had folIoNeo each other in varying succession, unli Phil gave up all hope of ever daring to ask her to share his love ana f"f tunes. Even to his uninitiated lllaScu line mind PhOebeS clothes Spellet much money. He had an idea that his months salary would not have paid fol the silvery gown she was wearing Una evening (and he was quite righD. Well. it was madness to dream O. asking such girl to marry d young architect just starting out in business That was all he could dO-drealn With d sigh he got up from the bencl and started back to the house. He would have one more glimpse O. Phocbe'S beloved face before she wen out of his life forever, although tlI' sight of her, so dear, yet for nm s' unattainnhle, would be only one more pang. He found a place at one of the ballroom windows where he could loOt in unnbSprVed He was searching among !he dancing couples for Ihoepe who seemed to have disappeared, Whel he heard her name repeated just m side the window. Someone was talk ing ahout her to a group of guests, an' before he could move away Phll wa rou'cd to the spot in stunned surprise .Phoehc?" the gosSiping voice wen on. "Dh. my. no. All those stunnin; clothes she's been wearing Mrs. Carte ~ayr her. all of thcm." ''She look | charming tonight where is she now! | asked d second voice. '1 saw her go | ing toward the garden all alone It | tle while ago." the other replied 'she'd taken off her ball gown and ha' | on that old gingham thing she Wor | when she first came
 Phil turned away from the VlnHoN
 just as Mrs. Carter laid a nand on hl
 arm, asking if his head still achet | Strangely enough, his Headache wa
 gone, and replying to her kind IT
 ouil-ieS with ill-concCaled haste, h
 yaultcd oyer the verantla railing an
 dashed around the house toward tn
 garden.