Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02

louTtn Gay alteT lHc iuiciai' 'Hu
yet the odor of dying flowers and the
chill gloom which only so mournful
u function can radiate seemed still
to cling about the spacious room. 1t
bore an air of unfamiiiarity. too.
which was due in part TO the fact that
the massive old furniture had not
been replaced with the cNactitudc
which !ts long established position
warranted.
The little faded woman who APP
peared noiselessiy on the threshold
and pecrcd within, much as mouse
might have done. seemed at once to
sense the general atmosphere and
perceive It's source. She entered. and
as light football sounded upon the
stairs she laid her slender arms about
a huge old armchair and strive with
all her frail strength to move it to-
ward the table.
.'Oh. Aunt Ellie, what are you do
inE?" The words were more an awe
struck exclamation than a question,
and young girl halted in the door
way as had the older woman at first
She was small and 1.-the: dark.
gypsy,iike creature, who would have
been pretty in other circumstances.
Now her big soft eyes were deeply en-
circled. and her clear. dark skin
chalkily pallid.
Peters and Gcrda have been sadly
careless in rearrangnig the room.
dear. suppose l must not scold them
at-at such time. but | should have
seen 10 1t myself The little lady's
-
her personality. You know your
stepfather always likes this chair
nearer the light"
We'll, do let Peters. attend 10 IL
later and come into the dining
ROOM" II was not impatience but en-
treaty which sounded in the seem
'ingly impulsive cry. 'lt's-its simply
horrible In here! Haven't father and
the boys come down yet? Rannie's
always late!"
You have no patience with his in
trinity. Nan, child" her aunt respond
ed in gentle reproof as she followed
the girl into the brilliantly lighted
dining-room. where at one end a
round table had been laid for six.
Remember he cannot run up and
down the stairs as quickly as YOU"
"Oh, did not mean. to be unkind"'
Nan Chalmers spoke in quick re-
morse, and her eyes darkened as she
added in a half whisper, I'VE should
none of us be unkind TO each other
should we? We cannot tell which
will be the next to be taken"
1T is the Lords will" Miss Eflie's
soft, resigned voice was lost in Tho
clear, fippant tones OF II young mar
and the deep rumble of that OF ar
older one as Richard L.orne and his
eldest living stepson entered the room
together.
Richard Lorne turned to the impas
sive butler.
Dinner, Peters. We shall not wait
for Miss Chalmers"
Soup was almost fnisnsi before tho
beauty Of the family appeared. Chris
sine was twenty-five and res"mbled
Eugene in her co!oring. save that her
blondness was OF colder, mere bril-
liant type, and there WIS no hint OF
weakness in her exquisite, perfectly
ch:seltd features. She carried her
self with the assured air OF one con
scious OF her beauty. and h:r clabor'
ate crepe gown made the mole s!inpl,
mourning Of her sister AMI aun: APP
pear dowdy by comparison.
i've been fiicttfully busy. size an
nounced as she seated herself. IT'S
q bore 20 try 20 separate thc sEeei
from the goats; but 'i.ne s.I4p:y mus;
know whom rnereiE s'st3d cards -
and who must be replied &c person u
ally Why do people send coIco!-
eaces. ANYWAY"
Usually 10 be on the safe side
IL case ;hey nigh. have b>cn remem
bsred IL ~. Kill" Rannie looked
Up with sh-ewd twinkle IN his
sunLsn eyes
Il nope, my csa-, that YOU have no
touched me pile ~ correspondence o:
the des. IN the library" Mss Efl'
Meade glanced Z: h.r tu;terny niece
in nervous depreciation. Il haze 4
all nicely arranged :pr Gene; he gay!
that ne viii attend % It this even
ing"
u mean. ny own personal mall
Aunt Efie. / assure YOU, us quiz
enough for me TO ;ake on my should
ers."
RandeM the cripple. thrust h!maei
forward suddenly in MS cna!r. US
we be hypocrites eterna!iyt W
grieve, OF course. each In our ow'
way. and that concerns only our Owl
souls IL we have any, hut there !
something else back Ia Ia. minds o
all OF US and that is fear Eve
you, even dad why. look aroun
the table! Aren't we each askin
ourselves: VIII be the next: vi
I be the next DO we believe it va
the Lords w!A?'
This is madness" Nicnara L.oTr
put down his coffee cup, which h
had held suspended in shaking han
while he listened as II hypnotic
to his siepson's haraugue. Let ,
hear no more OF this. this Mild ra'
ing!"
He STROBE from the room, and Iiai
dali laughed shriily.
You see? Can't bear TO have b
innermost thoughts brought TO u
light Of day."
But the others were not iistenin
Instead they were glancing about
he had babe them, and each read
the eyes Of the others the namele
thing which had been locked in the
own breasts for an interminat
week.
In all eyes save those OF th'