The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-09
Chapters From a
Woman, s Life
BY JANE PHELPS
MRS. PAGE is ILL
Chapter 80

Walter had sent out his invitations
for the, costume party at the studio.
He was going to dress as a famout
painter of olden times, and had de-
cided to go as gypsy Grace was to
be Spanish girl, and we shopped to-
gether for our costumes.
Let me see your list" I said to
Walter after he had made it out, often
stopping to discuss this or that one
with me.
II see you have invited your model"
remarked.
iYes, feaving her out would have
seemed a slight" he replied looking a
bit uncomfortable. His. mother was
listening.
1T was not necessary. Walter. and L
consider 1t bad TASTE. You never
doesn't do.''
Walter made no reply. and asked
him:
"Do you know what she is to wesr?"
''She spoke of going as Night or
Morn. I've forgotten which. She was
anxious not to wear any costume that
might also be worn by another
Naturally" I returned.
My costume delighted me when It
came home. and when tried it on for
Walter he raved as was his way.
''I'll have to sketch you in that rig,
Doreen" he declared. You make
I had some stain for my face and
hands. and had used it so I could be
sure it was all right. Then made
Walter put on his knee breeches, his
velvet coat with the lace ruffles, and
SO on. We had gala evening. Even
Mrs. Page unbent enough to say the
costumes were successful.
really looked forward to the party
with a great deal of anticipation. l
had been out very little since Mrs
Page came, save when she was with
me, and I would enjoy the relief her
absence, her chirticisms would give
me-
Then, on the very afternoon of the
day of the party, she was taken i'll and
quite violently. There was no use
thinking I could leave. her SO I sent
Walter off alone, a bit tearfully I
admit.
His mother was not easy to care for,
was rather duerulous in fact. She
kept me running, wanting something,
then when I brought it, decided to
have something different. She was
come of her pet If anything happened
to her.
When I heard the doorbell well |
coined the interruption.
It was Grace Harter.
''Walt told me! Pity she couldn't |
have waited until after the party to get |
SICK" she said in stage whisper.1
I've come for your costume, Doreen. |
wear a gypsy costume after Walt had |
told her you were to wear one. But |
hers is a cheaper affair. not nearly |
as handsome as yours. I'm going to |
wear yours! Ifll knock her silly"
AS long as couldn't go it made no |
difference TO me whether Grace were /
a Romany in my costume, or a
Spanish girl in her own. I gave it to |
her and she dressed in my room
When she was ready to leave she
called me and I gasped with delight
She was wonderful Her jet black
hair, banded with beads Of different
colors made her look every whit~the
Romany She had stained her face,
some of the bright beads
and gew-gaws of her Spanish costume
to enhance the one she now wore.
"P1l show that girl a real gypsy"
she declared as she left.
I couldn't help wondering If it were
all for my sake she was so anxious
to outshine Helen? As I sat with
Mrs. Page in the dark room (she
doubts of Grace returned, my feeling
of dislike. She was too free with
Walter.
1t was nearly morning when he
save in whispers, because his mother
had only just fallen into an uneasy
sleep.
"It was a shame you couldn't co.
he said. 1--WE had a wonderful time;
tell you all about It in the morning"
But when morning came his mother
was not SO well and he hurried off to
fetch the doctor in his roadster. 1t
was not until late afternoon that l
heard anything of the party. Then
Grace came in and told me all about
t.
Mrs Page was much better; the
loctor had been in again about noon,
md said he wouldn't come again. A
bad attack of indigestion, he called
t. So I did not feel at all conscience
stricken to leave her alone for little
nl.r AIao l