Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-01-23
THE TRAGEDY
Gy JANE GORDON


. pretty room regarding with tragic
eyes-her own reflection. 1t was
charming picture the young woman
made, YET in ii she foCnd no pleasure,
sylvia was dressed for Colonial
powder and silvery ornaments The
deer opened to ADMIT tie aunt, with
whoa now Sylvia made her home
but for this kindly relative, she was
quite alone in the r3orlt
Ms Temple came to PIT a loving
ful figure. "AIy dear" she exclaimed.
how very lovely Surely this vision
of yourself must h8nisn all fancied
shadows. You will have a happy time
toni. hit"
Sylvia CAUGHT her breath her voice
broke TREMENDOUSLY at is all wrong,
l know she said but sometimes I
think THAT I shah never be happy or
natural again. Aunt Martha. Tom looks
at me as though | were Il stranger: rs
though the one re loved had gone.
And So added Sylvia slowly, "she
has"
Sylvia turned from the mirror and
went down the stair At it's foot
young man stood. his appraised face
battling in it's expression; admiration
at sight of the young woman descend
ing seemed mingled with disappoint-
ment. He put out his hand. The
quaint lady Of oldcn time garb ignored
the outstretch"d hand and swept on
her way Her uncle greeted her in
the living room, already arranged for
the evenings celebration. A tall man
stood beside him
This" said Uncle Robert, 'is my
friend Dick Dormer, Sylvia, other
wise known as DR.. Richard Boynton
Dormer. surgeon"
Sylvia soon found her task of enter
tanning no tasl; at ALL 1t was the ply
stefan who took over the duty. She
sat listening rs he talked: played for
him later in an isolated music room,
While he sang in a pleasing tenor
voice; walked with him through the
conservatory where shaded lights
made OF the place a bower Of enchant-
ment, Indeed, Sylvia. her ohsessing
sorrow for the first time forgotten,
seemed to be moving in enchantment
throughout the evening. Ladies' with
powdered hair, gallants in white
curled wigs passed them unnOticed
These two lately unknown to each
other were content, happlest alone.
Across toe decorated dining table they
conversed with guests merrily turning
always in sym0ath"tic understanding
again to each o,har.
'Dormer.' whispered Robert to his
wife, "is certHinly bowled over by
Sylvia Eyes and oars for no one else
Our little SISTER has undouhted charm.
we know but pormer-and so soon"
Mrs. Tyler smiled "And so com
plctely," she agreed. "Oh | hope that
all NAV be well Sylvia deserves hap
pinoss and Toms desertion--for II
amounted to tlat--made of her late
misfortune a t"""cdy. OF course
Sylvia never truly loved Tom; 1t could
not he so She must love one more
taken engagement when broken leaves
loneliness. Put one night is so short
time to hrinr love, Robert, and
when your delightful friend sees Syl-
via tomorrow, when the costume party
is ovrr-oh, my dear, must she be
lonely sti'l?"
Sylvia and the physician sat, as the
hour grew lHte, arn:t in the cOnserva-
tory: n foortoir i'n'5led near, and the
glow n the mans eyes deepened rs he
looked n E"r
81 must sc ycu tomorrow Rich
ard Dormer said earnestly, land many
tomorrowS. You may not believe in
early love. ,hall have to wait pa
tiently. For myself there can be no
further proving II love you. OF
that fact there is no doubt, To hope
that you may one day learn to return
that love shall be my comfort and in
spiration."
Sylyia's blue eyes beneath their
inky lashes shone like stars. Tears
filled them, fell UNDECIDED to her cheek
This" she said, "is but mas
querade: tomorrow YOU will not wish
to win me-"
The man leapad nearer Explain
to me your riddle" he commanded.
Sylvia arose. Not long ago" she
said 81 was taken to the hospital
there was great suffering and fever
it had been an anto accident, They
operated on my head. The operation
was successful. | recovered. Then,
one day they brought to me a mirror,
I.saw myself, q woman with snow
white CROWN Ny HEAR had been the
color of sunshine. l could not find
myself It grieved me; made me
sensitive of remark and notice--my
white. white hair Youth, it seemed
had rome with the gold. Tomorrow
shHn not be able With the rest"
Sylvia's voice broke-"to doff my
masquerade"
Impulsively, masterfully, the sur
n