Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-05-15
Narcissa Admired
Dare's Work
By JANE OSBORN


NARCISSA FENWICK was a per-
= son of rare enthusiasms. She had
been keen about a wide variety Of
things. Once 1t was thoroughbred
dogs with strong emphasis on police
dogs-though the only dog she had
ever owned was a nondescript, dun
colored canine that had attached him.
self to their rambling old suburban
house. She became devotee of the
art Of Velasquez at one time, though
all she could see of his work was
from the imperfect reproductions in
a few books from the circulating H.
brary. Now she was enthusiastic about
the short stories of Morgan Dare.
Strange enough when Morgan Dare
laid his plots in mining and lumber
camps, had very little love interest
and was regarded by his publishers as
having no following among women
readers. However, Narcissa honestly
admired him. She read everything
that Morgan Dare had ever published,
and waited impatiently for his next
production.
One morning at breakfast her older
brother, Edward, happened to be
drinking his coffee and eating his but
tered toast at the same time that Mar
cissa was.
Hello, Cts" commented the elder
brother. II met that Dare fellow last
night-guest of honor at the club
ladies' night" Edward paused to
drink coffee, and continued: "Odd hav-
ing him come on ladies' night, too,
because the ladies' never read him.
Fine chap, though"
"You mean Morgan Dare" Narcissa
had been saying, and her blue eyes be-
came almost black with energetic
appointment. "Why, perfectls adore
him. eat him . 4 think you were
contemplate not to ask me- And II
was ladies' night, and you knew how
very enthusiastic am about Morgan
Dare"
Weren't any children there COM
nlented Edward and then grinned
while Narcissa reminded him haugl
lily that she was twenty. "Why, !
mightn't ever have another chance to
see him." she said.
Narcissa's eyes snapped fire Ed
ward knew the depth of her dsap-
pOintment, though he perhaps did not
count on the possibilities of her re-
sentiment.
The Fenwick household had been
considerably depleted Two of the
brothers, an uncle and an older sister
were away from HON, Aunt 4
who kept house, and servant I'd
room at the back of the house. Old
Mr. Fenwick was quite deaf So Mar
cissa's plan of revenge was b d t.
work well. Edward had called out to
her as he left . tel Aunt Mar a
that he wouldn't be home for dinner.
II was then, that Narcissa thought of
her plan.
AS the day advanced she noticed
with regret that It would probably be
unusually warm and balmy for May
She had hoped for a chill evening,
with possible showers and perhaps a
scattering of snow.
After her father had gone to his
room that evening, after the servants
were all in and after good Aunt Mar.
tina had gone the rounds to see that
the windows were all securely locked
and shutters on the downstairs win
dows all well bolted. Narcissa crept
downstairs
She surveyed the heavy old front
door with close scrutiny. II had spe.
cial lock. key to which the elder
brnther Edward carried. When he was
to be out late the bolt was not drawn.
Narcissa carefully drew this bolt and
then turned another ancient lock at
the top of the door Then she stayed
awake until midnight She heard the
late train draw into the station. wait.
ed fifteen minutes and then heard
steps on the veranda below. Edward
had come home: he couldn't possibly
get in The garage was locked and
he would have to stay ont all night or
walk 10 the village With meager chance
of finding shelter there. Narcissa
dropped OF to sleep secure in her re-
venge. In the morning she would un.
bolt he door before anyone was up
and not confess her guilt until after
Edward had aired his grievance to the
entire family
That morning when she drew the
lock she peered through the crescent
aperture in one Of the front shutters
to see If her brother were on the front
veranda. Instead Of one man she saw
two. One was asleep in a dilapidated
hammock and another. the stranger.
in rickrty steamer chair.
That morning she appeared at
breakfast smiling serenely. Her re-
venge had worked better than she had
hOped Edward had apparently
brought home guest and had been
nut TO the embarrassment Of lodging
on the front porch with him Served
him right. She hoped the guest was
someone important So that Edward
would be really embarrassed
Edward greeted Narcissa with more
than usual enthusiasm both he and
his guest risin" IS sh" entered
"Iere hr is. rs ne said "This is
Mr.. Morgan Dare brought him out
for the night. which we spent on the
veranda.
There were rather embarrassed
handshakings. ~ told Mr.. Dare how
YOU admired his work and he asked
to meet you You're the first woman
he ever heard of that liked his writ
ing
So II was. Morgan Dare tarried two
days, SO charmed was he with the
only girl who admired him. And when
he went II was with his troth plighted
to that OF Nnrcissa Fenwck.