Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1921-08-27

t0. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)


men found to SO admire in her was
more than other women could see.
Among themselves they discussed her
as a vampish person to be righteously
avoided.
Certain it was that from the moment
Media Brown became a member of the
Hustled house party, SWANS old and
young ieft their formerly adored to
follow in her tram. And, Media
Brown; what plain name.
Nevertheless, the demure one tri-
umphed easily-everywhere. The
strange thing was that she did not
try for the triumphs or seem to care.
Usually she had to be hunted out i'll
some secluded corner, or f0restalled
on one of her customary walks down
Inc road. Gwen Persons fance was
continually seen in the unwelcome
Medals company, and of late Marion
Grovenor'S heretofore faithful attend
ant was usually to be found there too.
I. The women's cool attitude toward
the interloper showed their displeas-
,re. What right had Julie Hustled to
bring this unknown relative of her
husbands among them!
When Tom Lacy met her, Media was
picnicing with her Hustled cousins on
the bank of stream. She talked to
Tom, as he happened along, while her
cousins tished. And though Tom Lacy
teiieyed himself to be in love with
Marion Grovenor, he fingered and
thought the little Media Brown person
very entertaining, indeed.
1t was always that way. AS days
passed he planned and schemed for
hem eagerly.
Media was so delightfully."- surprising.
The could be gravely. wisely sympa-
thetic or infectiously gay and merry.
Il suppose" Marion contemptuous-
y remarked to Tom, you believe that
catering interest in yourself and your
,ngrossing business is genuine. She
puts it on for everyone like a cap.
And then laughs at you for your pains.
Why you all humOr her in her self
esteem is more than l can see. She's
just little cat without a thought be-
yond her own amusement. And If
you care for me-"
Tom knew the rest. He had heard
it before. If he cared for Marion his
friendliness with the pleasing Media
must cease. The trouble was that he
did not know this could be done.
Media was so different from flirtatfous
maids he had known. His friendship
for her was a real and vital thing.
Or was the deep feeling merely friend
ship? Then Tom Lacy knew-it was
love. He told her frankly as they
marry Marion, and that he had thought
he cared for her until Media came.
And, he recalled as he spoke, the many
bitter things Marion had said of the
girl, who now listened the unkind tale
of her INSCRIPTIONS conquests, her
the revelation of Marion's nature, with
her unreasoning jealousies, had killed,
at its beginning, any love that might
have been. Tom, in his elOquence,
was not aware Of all that he said. He
impressed upon Media Brown his own
belief in her, despite Marion and all
others. And when he had finished,
waiting breathlessly his fate, Media,
her soft eyes suddenly aglow, threw
back her head and laughed. Tom
stared, growing very white.
you, too" laughed Media, so you
had to love me. Though before we
met you intended to marry Miss Grove
nor"
Still smiling, Media looked back at
him, Go and marry her, my dear
friend" she said, ''for have finished"
Tom sat, after she had gone, trying
to understand. He had not known
that love could so make one suffer.
Love, how little he had realized it's
meaning. So they were right, Marion
and the rest Of the women; it was I'M
believable.
Tom Lacy stood undecidedly. He
did not want to go back to the house.
A little cottage stood at the end of
the country lane. He and Media had
solitary old woman. Media liked to
play for the lonely one on her old
piano. His steps led him there now,
unconsciously. Absently, he dropped
on the wooden bench outside the cot
tage window. The tinkling tones of
the piano came to him. Medals voice
was singing sweet little song, its
each verse beginning with Somebody"
lie listened. wondering vaguely at the
tremulous catch in the still loved
voice: And somebody's dream, If
dreams can come true, is only a dream
Of gladness for you; my dream is for
YOU"
Then all at once Tom Lacy under
stood. The despised girl would will
lingly efface herself and her love, that
she might give to him what she be-
lieved to be his own dream of glad
ness. To him, and to Marion, who so
misjudged her. SO she had acted for
Marion's sake, the part Marion gave
to her. And through all she cared.