. < A Romance of the Commonplace SERRE. By Frances Parkinson Keyes WNU Service Copyright by Frances Parkinson Keyes SYNOPSIS Motoring through Vermont, Philip Starr, young Boston architect, maels, in unconventional fashion, Blanche Manning, girl of seventeen, with whom he is immediately enamored. In con- versation, he learns something of her family history. It being a long distance to Burlington, Starr's destination, Blanche suggests, the village of Ham- stead not boasting a hotel, that he be- come, for the night, a guest of her cousin, Mary Manning. Mary receives Philip with true Vermont hospitality, and he makes the acquaintance of her cousin Paul, recognized as her fiance Starr finds Mary Is acquainted with Gale Hamlin, noted Boston rchitect in whose office Philip is employed, He informs her of his desire to win Blanche for his wife, She is sympa- thetic, and tells him of an old family superstition concerning the “Blanches” of the Manning family. Paul Manning is inclined to be dissipated, not Mary's true worth, Mary's repr for his undue “conviviality"” received by Paul, and the girl to have misgivings as to the w of the alliance. Starr's disclosure « the fact that } the son gEregational rr and nancial stand Manning family are isdom Con- CHAPTER V—Continued s—— It was, unfortunately, Moses answered the rap at the knocker. mouth was full of stolen sweets—he had eaten up almost the entire con. tents of Mary's box of candy—and he had no eye for style. He was not im- pressed by the appearance of the strange man. Moreover, his own ap- pearance could hardly have warranted the hope that he might create a favor- able impression himself. The day be ing warm, and Mary otherwise occu pled, he had surreptitiously removed most of his thing except a pair of ankle which had no connect and were retained simply be hemp carpet in the front rough. “Hello,” he said. “Er—nhello,” , his face twitching i “Does Miss Mary Manning live “Mary? garden, killing 1 way,” sald Moses, hand, indicating the stranger shou “Thank man, his ing off in the direction indicates Mary, hearing footsteps, htened up quickly from the ta she was bent, and turned son. “Mr. great Cuse who His clothing—in fact, every: ties yn with modesty sald the stranger Yes. She's out in the back you very much,” said month moun the walk Hamlin!" she confusion, “Oh, ; me! When did you “Just now, from laughing and shaking derstand you are more guests from that loeali once gave me to understand you were likely to be. I have had the pleasure of—er—meeting one of your small brothers, and he told me I should probably find you here. Aren't glad to see me?” “Moses! Oh, was he ng this course I am, but—" her flush deeper every minute, “This time I Starr asked didn't tell ] exe He thinks I'm doing ly out of friendship to h great luck, for me, that to fall in love with ; get Hannah and m you Philip Is a 3 Joston,™ hands, ty you what dreadful thing Yes, of growing doin time? came me to. Naturally, 1 him how of an use, entire only, it's mippened It'll with cousin touch again— ung man of unusual thoroughness, promptness and decision, as you may have gathered in your glimpse of him—qualities which, unfortunately, are not found in one who is also an artist and an ideal- ist. sense of i often Moreover, he possesses a very fine honor. He seems to be In a tremendous hurry, but didn't think it right to press his suit until he had been more thoroughly introduced. 1 was instructed that as soon as this for- mality, through me, had been accom- plished, I was to telegraph him at jurlington, and he would return here --tinless, of course, it seemed absolute. ly hopeless for him to do so.” “Is there any reason why it should be hopeless?’ “None in the world.” “Then come over and Violet” “All right,” replied Gale with twinkling eyes, ‘But that afterwards I'm coming to see you!" ‘ . -. . * - - - Two days later, Philip stood in the white-paneled north parlor of Violet Manning's house, waiting for Blanche to come down to him. unlighted, and It was grow dark, The door opened and Blanche came in, Philip took a step towards her, and held out his arms. She walked straight into them, “Lady Blanche—you little white flower—Oh, my darling!” was all he sald, and covered her lifted face with his kisses, meet Cousin Hamlin remember back here The room was beginning to CHAPTER VI Phillp Starr would never have dreamed of considering his comforts able Income a fortune. Bot it loomdd large In the eyes of Lady Blanche farm, and soon In those of all the country side, for in the general re. Joleing at the good luck which had be- fallen Blanche, it was augmented-- ’ consciously or unconsciously—by many persons. Violet herself was largely responsible for this, She went about among her neighbors scattering her good news as she went, “Of course, Blanche is very young, and it breaks my heart to think of parting with her,” she sald, sighing and wiping away a few tears. “But I couldn't bring myself to stand in the way of the true happiness of one of my children for selfish reasons. That's never been my way. Of course Blanche Is too innocent about worldly things and too much in love to think of the material side at all, but we older ones know that can't be over looked altogether. Philip ean do everything for her, Yes, her ring Is lovely, isn't it? You seldom see such pure, white diamonds, And he's given her a pendant, too—a diamond star! Wasn't that a pretty thought, and so clever! Philip Is clever, unusually so. He says the name she's going to have, Blanche Starr, Is a poem just in itself. No, Philip won't hear of a long en- gagement, so I'm going to take Blanche to Boston right away, to buy her trousseau, and caterers and sta- tloners and so on. 1 guess I ean show his fashionable friends that I know how things should be done, even if 1 live in the country!-—They're go- ing to California on their wedding trip—of course Phillp would have taken Blanche to Europe if this tire war hadn't been going on Blanche Is going to keep a maid, and see do some 7 wane “Lady Blanche—You Little Flower.” White ive 8 motor, Of course right fron Philig ng ing. all thst 80 rare ’ ful and pleasant y adore him myself here was not a single flaw al Violet could of 1 purring. Nevertheless, In tired much spite ressions of disparagement, and all Hamstead flocked to see the troussean. r b Hott the presents, and, in early the wedding. During the and a half that i first appearance there, P p months his had and holi y at two elapsed since spent every Sut Lady Blanche Mrs Elliott said, had “pleasant. spoken™ that he had become cordially turn, he warm and new many of his ce had Only perfect happiness been both is mind as as liked in the village: and, In had come to have a real affection for friends and relatives his dream of shaken: and he tried to of these episodes trivial Left alone for a time one rainy morning, he had decided to explore the little, abandoned law office. He had been thinking what fun it would be to restore it, and put It in order for Blanche and himself to occupy when they came to Hamstead to visit It contained a cellar and large, semicircular rooms, one above the other, and a small one with a little attic over it in the rear. He sat in one of the dilapidated chairs, pulled up a shaky table, and drew plans and sketches, Under his swift pencil, the tiny place became transformed. There was the living room, bright with white paint and a landscape paper, and shin- ing brasses, with Lady Blanche's por- trait over the mantel, her desk In one corner, her harpsichord In another, and her gate-legged mahogany table in the center of the room: there was the chamber, with her four-posted bed -one of her hand-woven linen sheets serving for a counterpane-—her bu- reau with its crystal lusters for Blanche, her low-boy for hig own dressing table, her long gilt-framed mirror, and the sampler she had stitched, on the flowered walls Instead of pictures, He spent a long time over his pleas. ant task, Then, finding that Blanche, who had promised to join him there, was still nowhere in sight, he picked up some of the musty books lying on the table, and began to look throtgh them. They were mostly law books, with a few Interesting marginal notes that the second Moses Manning had made: but Philip knew little or nothing about law, and did not understand them. The third volume that he opened, loss bulky than the others, proved to be a county history, written by a loeal clergyman early in the Nineteenth century. The Connecticut valicy had yory tw dismiss f irom two been settled by men of no sight call ber, and their subsequent Revolution- ary record was noteworthy, Philip read on with increasing Interest, which grew greater still when hae reached that portion of the history devoted mainly to the Manning family. Here were Moses Manning's fine war service—the trip to France—and here, too, was the Countess Blanche! The story of the great chests that came over the sea. And, at last, came the date of the twins’ birth, and, a few pages farther on, that of Lady Blanche's death, ut between these dates was something that Philip had not yet heard “ . . And the Lady Blanche, being very weak after her long travail, was sorely spent, for she was a female elegantly formed, but not sturdy, or of sound health, She lay In great pain and ever and anon she sank into a stupor from which none could rouse her, nor did regard my exhorta tion, or the lamentations of her af flicted husband. But suddenly she did speak In a loud ing, 'Since I must die, neither any woman in this village twins survive though 1 every generation, a on this farm, my name, but in shall also shall wed for love, being even as 1 jut because I ha my love, In this unfriendly, col try, and because he who sworedo me has not me from guish, but hath his to but selfishness, since he hath failed me when I most did need h fore, 1 say, she shall not love for long Within years of her marriage either she or her die, and die with the bitter knowledge that neither riches nor high romance, nay, three gether, suffice to grent thing called le unless there be other things, which m3 me, added unto them And, In hour of their death will appear she volee, say shall other who beareth labor: and shall be, In Manning her cruel perish, there Blanche who shall have not only whom my Amd per On be seen ag she was wooed, love an he best saved shown love iim—there five shall hushand nor passion = not even all to make that ve ver hath not given tho unto those who die for the ms lonely “And ieler, pe uce, we mi tle to were could hand to his feet in the Blanche st not that ing alan time that ra an ¢x er ha them 3 = attic In sear her tronsse tiny der fron-boun the the carried them and tried them on if they had been “Conldn’t and surprise can do portrait, an« dress that she had be the living image Accordingly, after study of the famous picture, Blanche did her hair, with Violet's help. high on her head, powdered It, herself into the stiff, magnifl that had been the countess’ wedding dress, and went out to join Philip The almost terrified that escaped him frightened her almost out senses. She ran to him. and put arms around him, trembling, “What Is it? exclaimed Philip! What's matter? “Nothing ly you look! the first “Yes, pretty? “Beautiful, darling. You-~you're very like her, aren't you? Like her pieture, of course, I mean.” “Yes—bnt 1 don't see why you seem 80 upset, even If I am. I thought It would please you to see me dressed up like thisg!™ Philip forced a laugh, “I'm not up- set,” he said pleasantly. “You startled me a little, that's all. You're<you're enough to startle any man, you're so lovely. 1 want a kigs—and | want to consult yon about something. . . ® And then he told her of his scheme fof fixing up the little office. To his surprise, she did not respond to him with enthusiasm. At first she looked a little bored, Then she in- terrupted him with a petulance which shocked him, (TO BE CONTINUED.) You a careful laced ent gown startled whe he as {oo she “Oh. the nothing How love Are those some of Blanche's clothes?” Don't think you they're Teen is a vast amount of shir ring, tucking, we and might add, braiding going on in the realm of cos- tume design tod: Every once in a while creator: of nur styles-beautiful do just that—del-e irto the past for inspiration, This time researc fashions f yore has cause entors of our 03 i styles-beautiful to feel ¢ urge to ahirr or tuck or a trimming news from successful ther s! 1 eavy sheers and chi nthus rm with guit of shirred heavy sheer Oe blouse shown weed te the practical he fives thus tun the costume irk of the Substitute fo satin match tnred louse a frilly affair of | ' OF chiffon, or a vet in some intrigu- paste] tint and this lovely ensem- takes on the air of & most he- afternoon costume which is its way to a bridge party, per- haps, or tea at fashionable rendezvous or a matinee or any of the smart gatherings where to dress pictorial- ing ing ble guiling on some musicale, a guests are expected You + other frock here ple- first black chif does at very tu-ked . 1 city is posi- really ultra gh style is orzandie se are to furbelows ‘ faq ia t IaRI0Ou Ss fOVes is fie IT'S FINE BRIMS OR SWELL TOQUES brim fir ir swell f lean to lors, that's all right, If If you lika yon pre tal Fou antic hats fer toques lored sa node of the may that and still be you givin ou way wear shallow doen ones You nu wide eapeline hats Crowns, or or wear se wenr berets Ou may vere sallors or Toarkish fezzes It's all t For in every one of die. models And correct pereenble the stvie tators they're presentin ench one is new, they sn The new are Smnrt-——esnec high back tricorne toques ialiy one of black felt with a stitched cuff of black =ilk shan- tung, a self-bow and a scroll-patterned For your sports things, you'll want casual brimmed hats Fancy Striped Suitings Men's wear houses are surprised to Inirline flannels and pin head checks with plain companions are best sellers for the tailored spring In these, mannish oxfords and other grays are strong. Worsted twill is another mannish woolen type that is being sponsored Crisp, springy and ideal for tailoring. worsted twill reaches its heights in that old-fashioned tan tone most close. ly associated with twills of the past. Milliners Are Stressing Colored Ribbon Trimming Milliners are emphasizing multi color ribbon trimmings, often In erude combination, such as yellow, vivid green and black, or else nn combina. tion like orange, green and pavy. Talbot combines pale gray with tur. quoige (both of which colors are high style favorites), using this combina. tion for one of her high-crowned di rectoire gallors, Tiny crin horsehair veils and tor tolse shell motifs are among the smart millinery trimmings, ULTRA CHIC “LINES” Bry t HERIE NICHOLAS To the uninitinted this evening wrap made of cherry colored matelasse vel vet may seem n bit quaint but to those who know, it is an ultra modern fash. fon. It qualifies as such in that firstly it is the new fingertip length. See ondly its full sleeves are crinoline lined so as to give the broad-shoul dered look which style leaders say we must have, Thirdly its colinrless neck- line buttons close up nbout the throat which obeys the latest edict of fashion, Lastly but of outstanding significance is the fact that the velvet of which It is made is the very new matelasse type which Is sort of erinkly sur faced. The handsome jeweled buttons also convey an important style mes sage. With the younger set particu. larly this type of wrap Is meeting with high favor. WHAT ANNA WAS A professor was or less eager ears oceaccio and the of Aquinis, The class wns version of the about to close, was, | may vernacular” telling to more the facts about indiscreet Anna lulled by his gentle affalr, ontil he was when he sald: “Anna you nust fl—well-if lapse into know, the extreme modern his eves gt this point the cinss sat the “what | ean only « gleamed wickedly and up-—"she continued pro fessor holdly, all -—a flirt !"—Tit-Bits Magazine, USES HIS HEAD set slipped, fell from the “What kept in the pp—using sour head? Miss Sharpe, but balioon.” never you air, Mr. Sa Seasoning A sixth-grade teacher ha long list of words on the ning to and interpret ‘synonyi “5% hi 5 All memt smew hat Time for Insurance i roolit Going In for Beauty fe-——] don’t like the Modern Problem st § rain d om Is going to nop + VU IN ALL LINES ii ii IX2 bdsm Wifle— Women are to be found me tell vou, in all Kinds of business Hubby~Quite truoe—incinding all that their own el hose ure not A Glad Time Blank (meeting niece on street) —- Well, my dear, back in town. eh? Having a good time-—lots going on, what? Niece Oh, uncle, absolutely hectic! I've just been to a “lecture luncheon,” a “reading circle tea” and now I'm off to an "uplift party.”"-—London (*unch. Seratchy “What was the most difficult part of post office?” “Writing with the post office pens.” “O Promise Me” Hubby (reading)-Yknow, | {ike all this metaphorical stuff, der what exactly this writer dont I won feller Wifes, something tke that ring A A Long Account Junior-=1 owe all | have to woman, Sophomore Your mother? Junior—No, my landlady, - Long Lines,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers