Evening star., 1928-09-22

and Fau'ine, were having
pleasant time making out q
list of women whom they
wished to invite to an after
noon tea, which they had been pich-
ming for long time. On snowy
afternoon in a cozy room. no more oe-
lightful occupation could be concelVtu
of than this, of making arrangements
for a party. Emily was listing names
at the old-fashioned spinet desk while
Pauline at the window glanced up and
down the street trying to decide on
who next?
There's Mrs. Wilson," said. I'VE
mustn't forget her"
eve got her down" Emily nibbled
her pencil thoughtfully She was the
Younger of the two sisters, q slender.
graceful woman past middle age. Fau-
line closely resembled her. Added to
their good locks they had the refine
ment and dignity that comes from
nuiet ways, plenty of means and a
,astn for culture.
"And Maud kelly" suggested Pau
ives"
ThSr, was silence While thy both
thought and thought IN mutual anx- K.
ietv to leave no one Of their nci5hoors
out Suddenly Emily gave a little start.
"Oh! There's Mrs. Spickle!' she eX-
claimed.
Mrs Spickle!" Pauline looked slight
~ alarmed. "Oh! YeS-I suppose we
mustn't leave her out?"
1T wouldn't be kind" Emily said.
"She might feel hurt. And we are
quite safe to ask her, dear. She never
goes out anywhere"
It know she doesn't, poor thing,
Pauline sighed well, we will ask her,
then. Has she telephone?"
I'll see" Emily rummaged IN the
directory. NO She hasn't tele-
phone. Well nave to send her note
Will YOU write it? You have gift for
notes
Pauline wrote the note on her dain-
tiest stationery and committed it to
the postman. OF course she could have
run down the street to the hideous
eieen-and-yellow house where Mrs.
Spickle resided. but it was easier TO
send a note. Besides. the sight Of that
house showing against the fresh snow
gave her an abSurdly bilious sensation.
In all that neighborhood Mrs. Splc-
kle was the one odd member. She was
a woman of middle age, childless, with
a husband who humored her foolishly.
Old Mrs. Grant said Joe Splckle
couldn't have existed a moment II he
hadn't humored Eunice. Still, nobody
was sorry for him. He was the kind
Of man made to be bossad by woman.
Just lately he had received a great sum
of money through the death of q rela-
tive, and everybody was wondering
what good this new fortune would do
them Certainly Eunice would never
spend any of it. either upon herself
or other people. She was a woman ot
narrow and selfish habit of life whom
most people avoided. But she was a
neighbor, in the eyes Of the Bartletts'
and as such must not be overlooked.
Having done their duty by Mrs.
Spickle the sisters went en- with the
preparations for their party which was
to take place the next afternoon. Their
pretty. old-fashioned cottage had
most gracious air of hospitality at any
time, and with a few flowers used
decorativelv it expressed charming
feStivitv. Cakes we're baked, ice cream
ordered, and the best china. linen ana
silver brought forth.
BY the following afternoon the sis
ters had received acceptances TO an
their invitations save one. Mrs. Splckle
had as yet made no sign.
THE poor thing hated TO say shs
couldn't come, maybe" Pauline said.
L" OOCoAA llAoNISA" W.
expect her
AT the sisters were ready to re-
ceive their guests. Excitement tinted
their pretty faces with a sweet color
and made their blue ewes sparkle.
The guests arrived by two5 and
threes. There was a hustle of traps
being removed. compliments, gay con-
versatiOn.
Somebody had just started the old
fashioned game of gossip when the
doorbell rang loudly. imperiously
Emily excused herself and whisked to
the door, She opened it. gasocd. and
tried to pull her features into the
proper expression of welcome
1t was Mrs. Spic!lle who stood there
Guess you're surprised to see mel"
she said. But / thought I'd come and
make you twice glad-glad when l
came and glad when / went away"
Il am sure you have made a real
effort, and / am glad to see YOU"
Emily said. Just go upstairs, please,
the room to the right-and leave your
things"
Mrs. spickle went upstairs. She was