Graham guardian., 1920-05-07
FINE FEATHERS
sy ANNETTE GREEN.

W. avn py nSNibfo tNS"oPePNi
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 young man watched the
gay scene below with frown. And
as he caught sight from time to time
Of a certain fafry-llke figure among
the dancers, a 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?p' He answered haltingly that
he had aNheadache: didn't feel up to
II tonight. "I'm afraid you young peo-
pie stayed out on the lake in the sun
too long today" replied Mrs. Carter,
"What pity! And this is Phoebes
last night here, too"
Phoebe's last pight Phil knew
that, only too well! And again search :
Ing her out among the dancing throng,
he followed the lovely girlish figure
In sllvery 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 ver-
anda Phil made his way through the
shrubbery, aud 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
ter's niece, from the day In June when
size arrived, a stranger to them all, up
to tonight, when she had come TO mean
everything 70 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
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 gingham dress
with her golden hair blowing about
her laughing face. came back to him
tonight so clearly that he groaned and
buried his face In his hands, For he
had never seen her In any simple ging-
ham gowns again.
sshic 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
10 ask her to share his love and for.
tunes. Even 10 his unlnitiated mascu-
line mind Ph0ebs's clothes spelled
much money. He had an idea that his
months salary would not have paid for
the silyery gown she was wearing that
evening (and he was~quite right.
Well, II was madness TO dream OF
asking such a girl to marry q young
architect just starting out In business.
That was all he could do--dream.
with a 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 so
unattainable, would be only one more
Sang. 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, anc
before he could move away Phil was
rooted to the spot In stunned surprise.
"Phoebe2" the gosslping voice went
on. "Oh, my, mol All those stunning
clothes she's been wearing Mrs. Cartsr
savo her. all q theT," "sho looks