Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-06-01
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window to the woman who was
L. approaching her house. She
had not the least doubt that
Laura Wayman was coming to see
her, but she wished to let Laura know
that she was expected. They had
been friends for years.
Laura waved her hand lightly,
seemed to hesitate and then came in
as Lofty eagerly opened the door for
her. She was a large, soft-looking
woman of matronly carriage with
fondness for wearing faded-looking
greens and pinks. At the present mo-
ment she was wearing her best hat,
gown and wrap and she had small
box in her gloved hand. Lofty, who
was small and dark, glanced at the
box, wondering what sort Of Offering
Laura had brought her. Past expert
ence had taught her that Laura was
always making offerings which,
though trivial in themselves, were the
expression of an Astounding interest
and friendliness.
Il can't stay a minute" Laura said,
dropping down upon the edge OF a
chair. "HOw pretty your hyaclnth Is
Mine has been out a week. I've got
a few hermlts here In this box for
Mrs. PARCEL. She's been having
quite time with her stomach"
>Ohw SO the Offering was for Mrs.
Parcelll Lotty's faithful breast
heaved. Mrs. PARCEL had lately
moved into the big green house farther
up the street. She was fashionable,
widow with every evidence of pos
sessing extensive means. Yet Lofty
did not like her.
"I mustn't stay a minute longer"
Laura rose to her feet. "Fm In the
greatest rush today. Paperhangers
coming tomorrow to do the dining
room. You know how 1t Is In the
spring, my dear"
She was gone. Lofty looked visit
fully after her. 1t couldn't be, OF
course, that after their long and I'M
broken friendship Laura would prefer
Mrs. PARCEL, stranger and new
conner, to herself.
Yet 1t was more than two hours be-
fore Laura passed the house on her
way home from the Widows. Lofty
kept watch. Laura, who had not been
able to give her two minutes had
| given Mrs. PARCEL two hours
The next day Lofty waited for
Laura to call her up on the telephone
and request her company to the meet
ing of the Woman's club. It was a
thing Laura usually did. But this time
she was silent. Lofty waited, hoping,
reluctant to demand reasons Of her
friend and finally went with old Mrs
Briggs. Ten minutes after she and
Mrs. Briggs were seated in the fire
mems parlors, where the meeting was
to be held, Laura Wayman entered
with the breezy widow. so that was
why she had not gone with Lofty
Lofty was too tlmid, too gentle, too
kindly disposed TO be suspicious or
resentful. She was only hurt to be
thus set aside for Mrs. PARCEL, She
had never seen Laura so carried
away. Still there was nothing she
could do. She did not like Mrs. Par
cell. Mrs. PARCEL evidently did not
think her worth while. There was no
She must get along without Laura as
best she could
Two weeks passed and Laura never
once came to LOtty's house. Yet
every day she went to call upon Mrs
PARCEL and always with that little
familiar offering.
"Laura Wayman's all taken up with
oh
Briggs. "Now, just you wait. Your
see something. It won't last"
Lofty said nothing. She could not
speak without furnishing the friend
ship which had so long existed be
tween her and Laura. She could only
suffer.
Then the worst thing Of all hap.
pened. Always hitherto Lofty looked
forward to that dayl The bright
shops, the selection of her modest
wardrobe, and the company OF Laura
who was a most experienced shopper.
Now, when the time had arrived she
heard nothing from Laura and Laura
always made the first move
Lofty had to have coat and hat
and frock and could no longer delay
getting them. She decided to 60
alone. She knew her way about. Of
course. It wasn't that, but she hated
to go without Laura. And indeed, II
was test OF the little splnster's cour.
age and self-relIance.
Alone in the city, Lofty made her
simple purchases at her favorlte de.
Oh ts
Hickman for lunch. II was big. ex.
penslve place, but somehow she could
not bear TO go to the little coy res
taurant where she and Laura had en-.
Joyed so many tasty lunches together.
Besides, she was tired and the Rick
man was handy.
As she entered and sat down she
saw In wall mirror the reflection OF
two heads bent over one menu card
Mrs. Parcel's and Laura Wayman's.
She turned and beheld them sitting
not far away, engrossed IN each other.
"They have come In Mrs. rarcell's
car" Lofty thought. Mrs. PARCEL
drove a Styllsh-Six. faint flush
came over her face and she took
hastily swallow OF coffee.
They had not seen her Lofty tell
sure OF that But In the mirror Lnttt
could perceive their every movement
Mrs. PARCEL ordered chicken salad
It looked like alligator pear-sherbei
asparagus Laura was excited ani
gay. She loved her food.
The taste was gone from the sim.