Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-05-30

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"These are all finished now" she said
taking up her wrap which she had re-
moved on entering. do you wish me t.
post them for you?"
IF you WILL" replied JEANNE, trying
to look bright and gay. "And now thai
the invitations are out I can think
about my dress and other flneries."
II suppose you will wear pale blue?'
said Meta touching a sore point.
II don't believe 1 will" said JEANNE
evasively. II wore blue at the-the las
party was at, you know"
This explanation was rather lame, and
she knew It, for Tom loved blue, conse'
quently for the past six months Jeanni'
had sported every imaginable shade and
color Of blue.
ooh" said Meta. "Well, goodbye, J
must be off," And she gathered up the
letters and took her departure.
JEANNE arranged the dinner tabh
herself. All the decorations were blue
and white. A broad band Of blue satir
edged with white lace ran down the cen
ter of the table. A blue and white china
jar occupied the center. 1t was fillec
with blue and white flowers, and e
bunch Of blue and white violets tieG
with blue ribbon was placed at the plate
Of each guest, and JEANNE could not
prevent great lump from bobbing ur
in her throat as she laid the dantiest
bouquet at the place that should have
been Toms.
Then she ran upstairs to dress her.
Fuh aIa n Of n
loneliness spread out on the bed she
Just nestled her face in its gauzy folds
and sobbed out: "Oh, Tom!' and sat
down and had good cry.
What an idiot I ami she said to her
self when she wiped her eyes, ito turn
my nose red and my eyes like two burnt
holes In a blanket, all for nothing; for
why should I care If he isn't here?"
So she put on her gayest smile and
went down to receive her guests,
study in blue both inwardly and out
wardly.
The dinner wasn't half as nice as she
had expected, although everything was
very brilliant except the guests, and
she thought them stupid; the man be-
side her bored the life out OF her. And
she was glad when 1t was over and
they all adjourned to the large parlors,
where tea was served and the musi-
clans struck up some lively air, which
soon set few Of the younger couples
to Waiting.
JEANNE had to confess that her pa
rents had spared no pains to make her
birthday party a success.
If only Tom were here" she kept
whispering to herself, II would be SUI
premely happy. And, If wasn't
ashamed to add insult to injury would
send and ask him to come even now"
Just then her mothers voice, behind
her, said
II think we have lamps enough;
there are thirteen in this room"
Glad Of It," spoke up her father.
There's luck in odd numbers. Hello,
Tom! better late than never. 1 was
wondering why you didn't show up be-
fore this"
Sorry to be late, SIR" answered
Toms voice; "but a business matter
that couldn't help kept me till too late
for dinner and too late to send a mes
sage. Good evening, Miss Jeannlew as
she turned a radiant face toward him.
Many happy returns Of the day.
have my apologies to make for not fill
ing my place at dinner, according to
your kind invitation, but 1t was impos-
sible, I assure you. hope you were able
to fill my place at the last moment?"
I'VE filled your chair" said JEANNE,
in fiutter Of shy delight.
"Thank you" he murmured in her
ear. II am glad to know you, at least,
cannot easily provide substitute for
my unworthy self"
Don't say that" pleaded she.
II won't" he answered softly. "If you
think me worthy will you be my part
ner in this waltz?"
with pleasure" she responded, CIV
ing him her sweetest smile.
"And ever after?" he whispered.
yes"
When their enhancing waltz was end
ed he left her in the howery recess Of a |
bay window while he went to fetch her
some cream.
Just then Meta rustled to her.
"oh, Meta" cried JEANNE. 'he's
GOMEZ
"Of course he's come" echoed Meta,
when you invited him."
IT didn't invite him." but don't care
now so long as he Is here"
you did invite him." replied Meta,
"for you gave me thirteen notes to ad-
dress, and his was the thirteenth"
II thought had left his out"
"Well, how do you feel about it,"
VERY happy" answered JEANNE,
with shining eyes, ''for, oh, Meta, let
me whisper, have accepted Number
Thirteen. the luckiest number in all
the world for me-"