The Ocala evening star., 1921-06-28
CUPID IN RAGS
BY CARRIE N. PALMER.
90 by MeClurs N.w.pAp.r synaie.tsl ,

Mary Ann Schuyler-how she hate
the name, that is, the Mary Ann par
for one must admit Schuyler did SCUM
rather nice-turned white with emo
ton, then red with joy. when the post
mistress, instead OF the usual symps
thetic and apologetic, Nothing today
Miss Ann" smilingly reached into th
Schuyler box. The imposing envelope
the size OF which had never befQr
been seen in rural Springdale, had ex
cited the good lady's inquisitivenes
and the recipients incshersnt reptile
to her neighborly chatter added fuel {
the flame.
But the little trin Of music that wen
dancing up and down Mary AIMS hear
strings descended into bass when sh
saw the unknown handwriting. To on
to whom letter was an event. such a.
aristOcratic envelope, to say the least
should have been opened with anticipa
tory curiosity, but Mary Ann seemeS
alphabetically disinterested and ploddeC
wearily home, wondering why the SUI
had gone down so early.
But when she came to her fayoritt
thinking place." so full of memories
she opened the letter Mr.. and Mrs
Stephen Cartaret," her heart skipped
several beats, "pleasure-msrriage
her eyes missed several lines, while
the world seemed slipping away, "theil
daughter" The world came back
Elaine" brought back poignantly with
little shiver of humiliation, Of which
she was ashamed, but which she could
not suppress, the day when Philip haC
brought his aristocratic mother anC
sister to call, and dear. old Aunt Mar.
tha's invitation TO stay to supper, eat
en- in the spotless little kitchen.
Well, she didn't have to bother about
thinking of going to the wedding, any
way, that was out of the question. Phil
had only sent the invitation To be po
lite. He knew she couldn't afford tC
60 to New York. and didn't have any
clothes but the sprigged dimity which
she had worn on that never-to-be-fOr-
gotten night when she had met him.
And then he had gone back to college
and suddenly his letters had ceased
and Ann was left with a vacuum which
nothing could fill.
But d wedding preSent-she simply
must send a wedding present. and the
thought presented a serious problem
AIMS soul carried a weighty secret
one which she couldn't share with low
ing, misunderstanding Aunt Martha,
who couldn't see any difference be
tween her beloved niece with hel
sweet, simple ways and sophisticated
Elaine Cartaret, unless, indeed, the
difference was greatly in favor of Ann.
Aunt Martha had a few vague ideas
about trusting maidens and men who
loved and rode away, and her loyal
heart deeply resented Philip Cartaret's
cavalier behavior, but she respected
AIMS reticence and his name was
never mentioned between them.
Ann had subscribed to a number oi
New York papers since Philip haC
left, terrible extravaganza, and every
morning when the mail came in she
fastened TO the leafy retreat which
she and Phil had discovered and made
their own, and with beating heart Gag
erly scanned the news OF the grea
city, which was only a name to her, az
II seemed to bring Philip and his world
nearer. This morning she read the
pages mechanically, her subcOnscioui
mind thinking wedding present.
"Hand-Ma Rag Rugs for Sale"
Rag rugsl She caught her breath
Instantly her mind registered pictur'
Of Elaine's spontaneous enthusiasm
over the beautifully braided rug
which Ann herself had made from ne
cessity. And Elaine had said the!
were all the rage In New York anC
| people were paying all kinds Of prices
for them.
The next few days were busy ones
Aunt Martha dyed and AIMS busy I'm
gers tore and braided and sewed. Aun
Martha grumbled cheerfully over thu
dainty colors which Ann insiste'
should 60 In, her prosaic soul craving
seryiceable colorS, but the rug tina
grew under the nimble fingers Of tn
girl who was weaving all the beauty o
| her own love drama into the reality o
another's was a fairy rug Of daint,
blue and pink and white, with darini
sistance, the center was. made from
the odds and ends of the material lsf
from the very same sprigged muslh
which Philip had so loved to see hi
Dream Girl" wear.
At last IL was done and dispatched
the rosy cloud In which Ann had bee
living mysteriously disappeared an
life became once more dull gray snt
the days empty.
A few days before the wedding tn
paper contained an account Of the com
ing ceremony, list Of the fashionsbl
bridesmaids and of the beautiful, cost
ly gifts which had been sent the pros
pective bride. AS she read, AIMS fac
burned with shame All at once he
EJtt, into which she had woven .
rluch love, seemed ridiculous, and he
very soul seemed te shrink from hu
initiation. Even the eagerly waited
for acknowledgment. II only q forms
one, had not arrived
Sc deep was her depression tina
even the cracking branches did no
break her reverie until a deep. vibran
voice startled her into slmost unbeliey
able ecstasy. She cared not one viii
Tor his explanations. The past wa
gone. the present was enough But tn
future: well. Elaine's wedding was
double one and Philip always teasing
ly declared that both brides were tstal