The Lamar register., 1920-02-11

Phoebe's Iasi night! Phil knew
that. only too well And again search
ing her out among the dancing throng,
he followed the lovely girlish figure
in silvery chIffons with longing eyes.
Murtering an excuse TO Mrs. Carter
about getting some fresh air, he turned
away and LEFT the balcony, followed
by his hostess voice bidding him come
back later.
Avoiding the gay groups on the YER
anda Phil made his way through the
shrubbery. and dropping down on II
bench 10y the shining lake, gave him
self up to his bitter thoughts. With the
strnins from the ballroom ringing
faintly in his ears. he closed his eyes
to shut out the bright moonlight ana
went over In his mind bit by bit his
acquaintance with Phoebe, Mrs. Car
ter's niece, from the day In June when
she arrived, n stranger TO them all, up
to tonight, when she had come to mean
everything to him. He had thought
her quite the incest girl he'd ever met
that first day, when, arriving at noon
she found the rest OF the house party
zone for n tramp and picnic, and he,
her nunt's nearest neighbor. had taken
her out Ia his canoe on the lake for
the afternoon. He taught her now 10
9addle the canoe and the memory OF
her In her simple blue glnghnm dress
with her golden hair blowing about
her laughing fnce. came back TO him
tonight 50 clearly that he grunned and
buried his face IN his hands. FOR he
had never seen her In any simple ging-
ham gowns again.
Chic morning dresses and sport
suits, correct yachting costumes, lacy
embroidered things for afternoon ahd
beautiful evening gowns had followed
each other In varying succession untli
Phu gave up all hope Of ever daring
To ask her TO share his love nhd Tor
tunes. Even to his uninitiated mascu-
line mind Phoebe's clothes spelled
much money. He had an Idea that his
months salary would not have puid for
The siIvery gown she was wearing that
evening (and he was quite righD.
Well. IL was madness to dream OF
asking >uch.a girl to marry young
architect Just starting out Ia business.
That was all he could du-dreafn-
with a sigh he got up from the bench
and started back to the house. lie
would have one more glimpse OF
Phoebe's beloved face before she went
out Of his life forever. although the
sight of her, so dear, yet for him 50
unntiainnble. would be only one more
pang. He found a place at one OF the
ballroom windows where lie could look
in unobserved. He was searching
among the dancing couples for Phoebe
who SEEMED TO have disappeared. when
he heard her name repeated Just IN
side the window. Someone was talk
ing about her To q group of guests ana
before he could move Hwny pm was
runted to the spot in stunned surprise.
''Phoebeg" the gossiping voice went
nii. -Dh. my. no! All those stunning
"lntheS she's been wearing Mrs. Carter
gave her. all OF them" she looks
charming tonight: where Is she now
asked second voice. 81 saw her s"-
ing TOWARD the garden all alone a lit
tie while ago" the other replied;
shed taken on her ball gown and hhd
nu that old gingham thing 81" w"r"
~ hen she first came"
PIN turned away from The window
m>t a. Mrs. Carter laid hand nn his
arm. asking II his head stiil ach,h.
strangely enough. his hendachc was
gone and replying to her Kind IN
auir1es with ill-concealed hnSic, he
vaulted over the veranda railing and
.aSh.d around the house toward IN"