The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-07-06
THE0D0SlA
sy AGNES q. sRooAN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

ScScSSScSeScScSeSc SeScSrScScScSG
Copyrisht. issA western Newspaper uniou
When Thccdosla came In. I looked
apprehensiycly toward our stepmother.
! knew Dcsie well. and the flush Il
her cheek and the sparkle Of her eye
spoke excitement aud adventure.
My sister has ever walked a charmed
way. u, when a mere child. Do~ie
started out upon some prosy errand.
II would be sure 10 turn Into a delight.
ful hour Of adventure.
When cur father unexpectedly-and
we thought unfortunately -married
again. II seemed that there were "a
be no more delightful hours for either
u US.
You have read OF the old.ilmc
proverblal stepmotherl Well. ours va.
that kind.
Dusle. ! knew nj once. would not
he dominated. even u she had to re-
SORT To diplomacy 10 avoid IL. So. for
me. life became mediocre affair be-
tween my good. but sadly Influenced
father and my lovely. wiiiful little
sister.
Theodosia pumped herself into .
chair. and smiled lier cherublc smile.
"whercr' demanded our step
mother. have you heenf'
Il was walking down Linden ave
nue." began Dosie. when | met Ora
Armour. She asked me 10 walk with
them-Douglas Stewart was with
her."
a thought 80. eur stepmother's tone
WIS acid. That she objected to
Douglas Stewart W Dosie's suitor mos,
unr.asonably. OF that she Objected to
suitors In general for either % US.
was well known.
"You met him BY appointment, I
supposeT
EMO" Dosie replied. 1T just hap
pened."
sianoed ~ apprehenslvely at ny
sisters next reinars.
"ora and Douglas were going TO a
wedding church wedding. and l
consented To 80 with them"
stepmothsr raised her hands In
horror. "D,nt tell me. Theodosla War
rcn. that you actually went 10 church
we,iGirg la pink cambric drcssT
Il did Dosie confessed.
"And Oa-"
"ora went home To put ca her white
crepe" Dosie admitted, but you see.
ora was 10 he bridesmaid: she gave
me half 81 her bouquet. II was benuti-
ful. pink ro-s. Tie wedding was a
very small affnir. Douglas and VIII
Heron wore afternoon attire, because
they we're going on to the reception
at Ora's afterwArd."
Ny little sisters eyes grew softly
reminiscent 1t was a beautiful mar.
rage. Phyllis. my ODe regret Was that
you were not there: but you see. !
Just happened to be there. myself"
That's all right. dear | assured
her.
Il. for one s,epInother said severe
ly. Am dismayed. Theodosla, that you
we're there"
The light. went on my sister
dreamlls, "shone through the golden
glass 81 the church window. Ia the
loyllest solemn way. and the bride
grUoms fncr looked almost sanity. his
eyes ~ dark. his face 50 white
"who." stepmother Inquired. was
the groomT
posie answered slowly. Douglas
stewart
Stepnother leaned forward with q
s,srt. There was relief. and no,
pleasing triumph. GA her faoe.
80" she said. III was Douglas
Stewart who was marTisd. | don't
wonder that you avoided telling Us
that Ia the first place. iou realize
nov that spoke the truth when ! todd
your father that he was merely anus
Ing himself. In Irritation with you.
hope YOU are well cured of your folly
Theodosla. Whom did you SAY hs
marFiedf'
Dosie smcothed the folds II hcr
cambric frOck.
Me" she answered succinctly.
Stepmoiher almost screamed
-what Theodosia Warren" she cried
lie begged me Ia settle things ~
us We walked along posie explained
.and ora added her pcrsuasions To his
80. while she went % put GA her white
dress. Douglas. VIII and ! 20, ne
license. The old minister who mar
rIed us was dear-he's friend u
fathers"
She turned 10 me. with little mute
plea for forgiveness. -phil, dearest.
she begged. get into your prettie>'
dress. and come 10 the reception that
ora Is giving for me-"
She Looked back nj our siepmother
you may come too, " you IKE
she added graciously Siepmolhel
arose quickly. knew that she wal
Glad of the chance 90 show her new
nnery Ia big Armour house. Il sup
pose II would appear better, and hell
10 silence discussion" she remarked
as she went up the stairs.
I bent To Kiss my little sister wat
seeing picture of the small Dosii
clad in her pink eambric frock-th'
roses IA her arms the golden light %
the church window clarifying he
face.
-phll." She whispered Il want onll