Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-02-25
With Colors
Flying
BY IRENE C. CHRISTIE
az ilis IN


grounds lay basking in the white heat
of the merciless August sun: II was
early afternoon and all nature was
shriveled and motionless and still, so
still that two excited voices echoed
ominously In Miss Emila's ears as she
sat under the electric fan, doing over
her magazine.
The voices came from the tennis
court and grew more distinct and
ominous rs they approached. and Miss
Emilias gentle face became troubled.
even though she smiled.
"You make me everlastingly sick"
declared an angry feminine voice.
you're always looking for something
to criticize. And when | play anoth-
er game Of tennis with you, Dick Som
ers-"
Don't say 1t! You'll only make me
laugh, and II hurts on hot day. You
know you can't play tennis. It's a
waste of time for you To try. The
very fact that you went out there to-
day with those spindley heels and
lie voice registered supreme scorn
and fatigue, and there was the sound
of a fist being driven emphaticaliy
against palm. You don't see Char
lotte or Kath dolled up like the latest
fashion sheet. They know enough TO
dress for the game. and they can
play, too"
"oh, yes, ones sisters are models,
always" The air fairly sizzled with
sarcasm. and Miss Emilia held her
breath.
mo, not because they are my sis
tiers. either, but because you could get
few sensible ideas from them, IL you
would"
well, | won't, Neither from them
nor you. you hateful old preacher y
I'm not red head. anyway The
tone of his voice intimated relief.
Ii had come to the point where, II
fiat irons and rolling pins had been
available. they would have been taken
a racket went winging its way across
the lawn. having missed its target and
the red head disappeared into the
house with banging of doors.
Miss Emilia leaned out of the win
dow. what have you done now?'
she asked In stage whisper.
The young man grinned. ITS a
little too hot to play tennis" he said.
Miss Emilia shook u warning finger at
him as he slumped disconsolately
around the corner of the house. and
she had Just time 10 draw insher head
before the door opened and small
girl. very warm and disheveled, came
into the room and sank into an easy
chair. Her red hair was tumbled in
wild confusion about her face, and
there was long black smudge upon
one cheek.
Miss Emilia turned page Of her
magazine. and the whispering Of the
paper was the only sound in the
room. followed moment later by "A
rageful young voice.
II know you are taking sides with
him, You always do. and tell you,
Aunt Emilia. I'm going home"
"Dear. dear, have you been scrap
ping again. Adrianne?"
oh. no. We never do that. It's
Just n difference of opinion. | know
| can't play tennis very well. | don't
like II. hut he isn't going to hold his
sisters up Ia me as models"
"What has happened to your face
and your skirt; | never knew any
one to get so battered up"
Adrianne tripped to the mirror on
dizzy heels and grimaced at her re-
Election. "When you fall more than
once in day II is likely TO have a
disastrous effect upon your appear
ance. isn't IT." she answered tartly.
Then she turned to Miss Emilia. a
wistful pleading In her voice: Aunt
Envy is red hair 50 awful:"
"No. my dear II isn't the hair, it's
the disposition that goes with IT,"
Hateful thing. mean the disposi-
ton. Of course. Aunt Envy. ] believe
I'll go 10 town."
"Shy clear Of the champion tennis
player, won't your
an take care Of him"
Miss Emilia laid down her magazine
and laughed till the tears came. Just
before dark Adrianne returned with
two mysterious bundles under her arm
and a still more mysterious smile on
her face. Miss Emilia cried out In
alarm when she carefully unrolled one
package. "Adrianne. Adranne. what
can you be thinking off,
ITS for boomers. The very red
dest ! could get. and this"-untying
the smaller parcel--"is silk for mid
d. and tie for my hair. It's all a
perfect match. Quite stunning. don't
you Think"
"But my dear. with your hair!"
gasped poor little Miss Emilia. weakly.
~ got II especially for my hair. And
you're going to help me make my cos
tune tonight. like a dear thing"
II was almost daybreak when the
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