Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-01-07
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FINE FEATHERS
BY ANNETTE GREEN.

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| &c. 1919. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicateo
Lakeside, the beautiful summer
! home of Mrs. Carter, cleaned like an
enchanted palace in the moonlight,
while from the brightly lighted ball
room came the strains of 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 a young nan watched the
gay scene below with frown. And
as he caught sight from time to time
of certain fairy-like figure among
the dancers, look of almost bitter
pain swept over his fine features.
"Why, Phil, my dear boy" ex'
claimed the hostess. spying the watch.
ing figure in the shadow as she strolled
by with another matron. aren't you
dancing?" He answered haltingly that
he had headache; didn't feel up tc
1t tonight. "I'm afraid you young peo-
pie stayed out on the lake in the sun
too long today" replied Mrs. Carter.
"What a pity! And this is Phoebes
last night here, too"
Phoebe's last 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.
Muttering 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
bench by the shining lake. gave him
self up to his bitter thoughts. With the
strains from the ballroom ringing
family in his ears, he closed his eyes
to shut out the bright moonlight and
went over in his mind bit by bit his
acquaintance with Phoebe, Mrs. Car
ters niece, from the day In June when
she arrived. q 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 u the house party
gone for tramp and picnic. and he,
her aunt's nearest neighbor, had taken
her out In his canoe on the lake for
the afternoon. He taught her how to
paddle the canoe and the memory OF
her In her simple blue Bingham dress
with her golden hair blowing about
her laughing face, came back to him
tonight SO clearly that he gr0sned and
buried his face In his hands. For ne
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 and
beautiful evening gowns had followed
each other in varying succession, until
Phil gave up all hope Of ever daring
to ask her to share his love and for
tunes. Even to his uninitiated mascu-
lire mind PAoebe's clothes spelled
much money. He had an idea that his
months salary would not have paid for
the silvery gown she was wearing that
evening land he was quite right.
Well, 1t was madness to dream -
asking such girl to marry q young
architect just starting out in business.
That was all he could dO-dream.
with sigh he got up from the bench
and started back to the house. He
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 80
would be only ONE more
pang. He found place at one OF the
ballroom windows where he 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 group Of guests and
before he could move away Phil was
rooted to the spot in stunned surprise.
.Phoebe?' the gossiping voice went
on, "Oh, my, no! All those stunning
clothes she's been wearing Mrs. Carter
gave her, all of them" "She looks
tonight; where is she nowg'
asked second voice. Il saw her go
ing toward the garden all alone lit
tie while ago." the other replied;
shed taken off her ball gown and had
on that old Bingham thing she wore
when she first came.
Phil turned away from the window
Just as Mrs. Carter laid a hand on his
arm, asking If his head still ached.
enough, his headache was
gone, and replying to her kind IN
uuiries with ill-concealed haste, he |
vaulted over the veranda railing and
dashed around the house toward the
garden.