Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-19

duly to the farm, with trunk
II full beautiful frockS, ana with
an escort to give her counte-
nance, Joe Pond, STAINS closest man
friend, a quiet listener IN almost al
gatherings, a widower with little girl
and as enthusiastic player OF tennis,
golf, and polo as Stan was himself.
Stanley himself had driven down from
town earlier in the afternoon and was
comfortable in his old tweeds, as he
came out to meet them. He and Chung
seized suit cases. hardly; there was
great shouting and laughing as the
visitors were made welcome to the farm.
But it was all spoiled for Shirley, be-
cause she instantly noted that Margaret
NaS hostess in everything but actual
name.
It was Margaret who said cordially,
~We've put you In the room you had
before, Shirley" 1t was Margaret who
introduced, decided, managed.
In vain Shirley tried to ruftle her;
Margaret was serene. She was evidently
adored by the cousins; a rudy, silver
headed old country doctor and his mild,
fat, amused old wife. Mrs. Peters was
evidently a little impressed by the
visitors manners, poiSe and animation,
but the doctor possessed the Shrewd
Judgment won by some 40 years OF
practice among human beings, and Shir-
leys charms gained almost no response
from him.
Margaret. on the other hand, was q
&avorite. He treated her much as he
would a daughter. And Stan, Shirley
decided resentfully. acted toward the
girl as if she were actually his wife.
She supposed that there was an under
standing between Margaret and Stan;
she had suspected his attachment long
ago; it was quite the natural thing.
When Margaret took her to her bed
room Shirley spoke Of New York, the
Forties and Ftfties; she showed Mar
karet a little present she had brought
for Stan.
Dearest fellow In the world" she
said of him And as Margaret did not
speak, she stopped rlnmaging in her
bag and looked at the other woman in
well simulated surprise. Don't you
think he's fascinating persona" she
asked
Indeed he Isl" Margaret said. with
her bright smile.
Shirley eyed her discontentedIy.
II suppose you two are going to have
some news for us, one of these days?"
she said, suggestively. well, shan't
be jealous" she added, good humoredly.
81 shall never feel to any one in the
world what I feel for Stan Crittenden.
But I had to do what I did-rny hus-
band is sick man, and all alone in the
world.
Margaret said nothing. But to
Shirley she seemed to have nothing to
say. Shirley simply didn't count any
more, except as legitimate source OF
establishment and amusement.
Perhaps Shirley felt it, for she was
more than ordinarily determined TO
please, this afternoon and evening. She
tramped about the farm, on the usual
before-dinner round, with great respon-
siveness and alniability. She appeared,
dressed for the meal, In her most be-
high spirits, charm and f1attering In
terest during the meal.
Stan had his old place at the foot of
the table; Margaret was in his aunt'S
old seat, at the head. Shirley was at
STAINS left, and old Mrs. Peters at his
right; Margaret had the men on either
side. And Shirley told herself that it
was perfectly sickening to see how this
woman had worked her way In.
Pretty, confident, serene, Margaret
filled the hostess position splendidly.
She drew them all out; Joe, the doctor,
Stan himself.
Afterward, there was bridge. They
had q cut-in game, Margaret begging
on the first rubber because she had to
see Hang about breakfast, and Nora
about Jim, and discharge q dozen other
small domestic duties. When she came
back she played with Joe: and then
with the doctor. Stan, cut out, sat,
Shirley saw, on the arm Of her chair,
and watched her play. The last rubber
Stan and Margaret played Joe and
Shirley. and Shirley, who felt that she
had been losing ground all evening
pleaded fatigue when the disgusting
rubber was over, and went of to bed.
But she heard the murmured voices
and laughter Of Margaret and the men
for another hour.
She went to sleep viciously determine
ing upon q campaign against all this
innocent placidity. Old Mrs. Peters
was an unsuspecting creature, and the
doctors championship Of Margaret was
the gallantry Of Q stnple-minded old
man. Shirley wondered what the out
come Of a few well planted suspicious
would be. Suppose she suggested TO
hrs. Peters that Stan was very In