The Washington times., 1921-03-30
By Kathleen Norris.
Author Of "Mother," .rhe Heart o
Rachcis' "Sisters'' and Other
Famous Stories.

toned, comfortable home of the
Anthony Pages. 1t was an immense
bay w indowed house, painted dark
gray, with some scrolls and orna-
ments in mill-work about the high
windows. but an effect of solidity
and dignity nevertheless.
1t has given congressman and
senator to the nation. in the
sixty years when Pages, Pells, and
Bishops had moved through Its
great halls, and it's atmosphere was
assured, proud, unassailable. An
iron filagree fence and high shrubs
shut it from the street, and were
reflected in the plate glass of the
lower windows.
Patricia went familiarly through
the enormous square hall. past big.
open folding doors that showed
tremendous rooms furnished with
all the cumbersome, great furnish
ings of the Victorian era. Mrs.
Pages own sitting room was up
stairs, and here the girl found her,
beside the splendid bed of Goals
that glowed behind the polished
steel rods of the grste.
Pat, you angel!' said the host
ess, holding out warm, smooth
hand, take off your things, and sit
down. Ny dear I'm almost mad.
The cards for the Entire Nous have
come, and they've got to get out
this week. Florence promised to
come in and help me. and she's not
here"
Patricia laid aside muff and scarf
and pushed up her veil, reaching
laziIy for a box of taffies. LIST?
she asked. glancing at much
rumpled slip slip of paper in Mrs.
Pages hand.
This" her aunt said, frowning
at il after she had scrambled some
other papers vaguely in her lap.
"really liz, | think, about complete!
Sixty girls and eighty-four men.
You have to have more men, you
know, for they won't come and
they won't dance, and every girl
wants to bring girl guest some-
times. ] wish could cut down the
girls, II dear old DIR. Underhill
dies, that will cut out Edith and
Elinor," she added, hopefully.
And with worried air she
pressed a pencil and blankbook
upon Patricia. "Now, you check,
she commanded. land I'll get rid
of some of this stuff
"This is just what ! came to talk
to YOU about" Patricia said in the
first pause. "Can you give me
card for Beatrice Palmer?'
"Oh. my dear" Mrs. Page looked
up quickly, half-warning, half
amused. Its out of the question,
of course. I'm sorry, but 1t really
isn't possible. She wouldn't enjoy
it. IL I did. No. tell her 1t is I'M
possibIe. Why, Pat" the matron
In o.
proach, "you know it's just the
cbildren's little dancing class grown
up. that's all! These youngsters
have been together all their lives.
MANY OBJECTIONS.
.The dances are given in our own
homes YOU know, everything most
informal! I'm afraid / should have,
nv two girls rather put out win
mater" she finished, looking back
at her list, "if Miss Palmer were
sIipped in. Not but what Janet rs
an absolute little democrat, but you
would be amused at Harriet. she
isn't eighteen, but it's the Srahd
manner, / assure you! Anthony
says she is exactly like his aunt
Mrs. Fulton--Mrs. Arthur Lee ful-
ton. With the maids, you know
or any one Shc uoesn qui'c "'NNPS
Its remarkable!
"When is Janets engagement
going to be announced?" Patricia
asked, when she had accepted the
refusal with a philosophic shrug,
and they were busy again. Mrs.
Page gave her a quick glance OF
warning and looked towar>! the
door
"Mv dear!-we're not breathing
A.. word of 1t. You see we have to
think of the grandmother. Dear
old Mrs. Thayer would be frantic
~ Leonard announced his enyagH-
ment while she was away! sue
was in France, I believe she - In
London now, and ought to sail TINS
month.
when she gets here we'll have
n family talk, and the blessed
children can tell her themselves,
that's always the best way,
think. Leonard is unquestionably
che favorite there, since Ethel
made that foolish marriage, and
It would be terrible to have him
do anything to anger her. He won't
nave a cent Of his own until he Is
twenty-five"
Aunt Lou, that was what wor-
ried me-" Patricia said frankly.
The other woman looked up with
a puzzled frown. What worried
your" she asked sharply.
why it's gotten out somehow"
Patricia added flatly.
Gotten out" Mrs. Pages whis-
per was shrill. How has IT got
ten out?"
FRIGHTENED LADY.
MY dear. how do l know? Not
through me. anyway! But one of
the papers has it,"
"One of the Scarlet color
had risen to Mrs Pages lifeless
cheek. She breathed fast, but her
)ip, and narrowed her eyes. rs it
in print?" she asked desperately.
"Oh, no-not yet!'
The older woman sank baol5 in
her chair. THANK Heaven for
thatr she said piously. "It must
be stopped. 1t will he stopped. 1t
must be denied. that's all. Well
deny II. Anthony will have It alb
solutely denied. Heavens"
She reached for the telephone,
irresolutely laid 1t down again. ir-
resolutely walked to the door. But
she came quickly back TO the chair.
-