Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-22

A NGENINE KIRK was passing
~ the hall table when an unusual
~ impulse made her turn back to
4 \ look at the mail lying there in
two neat piles, papers and
magazines one place, letters another.
1t was seldom she received a letter,
for she wrote none. In fact, there
was nobody to write to any more.
And yet there was a letter directed
to herself! Without recognizing the
handwriting she tore it open and read
1t, while through an open door some
where the odors of the dinner being
prepared by Mrs. Newton and Bessie
gathered in intensity.
She smiled scornfully as her glance
flew from word to word. then she
laughed. She laughed again after she
had reached her room upstairs, where
she re-read the letter. Minnie
Sprague he'd written to her-Minnie
Sprague of all people. What is more,
Minnie Sprague had asked her back
to Westmore for week end visit!
She crushed the letter in her hand
and tossed it into the wastebasket,
but the phrases fingered in her mind
as she brushed her hair and changed
her Office uniform for a soft crepe.
Minnie would not have written if she
did not really want her. Must have
got my address from Mrs. Piper" An
gevine thought. Mrs. Piper was stor-r
ing a few things that belonged to
Angevine against that time when too
old to work she might set up a home
for herself. An old maids paradise,
Of course. Minnie had the man she
had always wanted. Irony for Minnie
to ask her to come back after IA years
and see how happy she was with
Frank.
'She wants aechance to sample my
Dead Sea fruit" Angevine thought,
as she ate the chicken, Maryland style
Mrs. Newton was a fine cook-laugh-
ed at joke of Mr.. Everson's and en-
joyed the table decoration of zinnias
captured from the first frost. Her
thoughts We're busy with the subject
of her invitation, doubtful, curious,
yet tempted. BY the time the cream
pie came she had decided to take Min
ME at her word "If she thinks I'm
afraid to come I'll show her that she
is mistaken. Even if haven't got over
the fact that Frank Sprague threw me
over for my dearest friend, I think
I can mystfy her little. And if /
must take my Dead Sea fruit along
for her to inspect I'll take only the
finest specimens and pretend / prefer
them to all others"
Three days later Angevine packed a
apparel and began her journey of 80
miles.
Very composed and charming in her
black tailored suit, sable stole and
black and white hat, she stepped from
the train at the Westmore station and
found Minnie Sprague's chauffeur
waiting for her. She entered the com.
Portable sedan and was rapidly driven
to the old Sprague home, where once
she had hoped to enjoy a lifetime of
usefulness as the wife of the man she
loved. AS she mounted the steps, Min
ME came out to receive her. Accom-
panying her was her son, lad of 10.
"Angie, dearest. I'm so glad to see
you, Come right in. Paul, please take
her suit case to the west chamber.
Would you like to go up at once,
Angevine?"
Angevine went upstairs. The room
was lovely in it's buff and white with
q touch Of blue. She sighed as she
opened her suit case and took out her
gray crepe, her gray hose and strap
ped pumps. Gray became her. But
how pretty Minnie wasi Fair, plump,
white-skinned after IA years. Sud
denly her Dead Sea fruit seemed to
crumble and show their ashen con-
tent.
They dined alone, Minnie, Paul and
Angevine. There was maid, evil