The Portland daily press., 1900-02-19

MIN. RE noticed that MS companion ex-
changed bows with several Of the ladies
and gentlemen who passed in and out Of
the dining room, and 1t struck him that
she must be a young woman Of some So
| cial eminence. This impression was fur
Their strengthened by the Difference with
which the proprietor Of the place bowed
to her as she passed to the cashiers
desk.
1.-THE committee pays all the bills" she
had said to Jack, and be was forced to
rest content. Il take 1t for granted"
she added to him when they reached the
sidewalk, that you have no other en-
gagement for the afternoonT
ut is your privilege to take anything
you please for granted" said the gallant
Jack.
'rhen, as Il Is Wednesday afternoon,
we will attend the matinee at the opera
house," said the black eyed committee.
~ have the Seats" she quickly added,
and thus headed off any move Jack
might have made toward the box Office.
The play was a pretty comedy, a new
ly imported London success, and Jack
enjoyed its wit and raillery to the ut
most. No doubt his enjoyment was
much increased by the presence of his
charming and sympathetic companion.
She smiled over all the good things that
he did, catching the witty points as fast
as they were uttered, and her merry
comments were quite as good as the dia-
logue.
And Jack felt that he couldn't be too
grateful to her for not insisting upon the
right to assume the seat next the aisle.
1t was during the intermission preced-
ing the last act that the committee sud-
| denly said:
81 declare IL the Hungerfords aren't
coming over to speak to us!'
"Yes, yes; here they come. See here;
We must pretend that we are old
friends"
"AIl right" said Jack. whats your
namep
Lucille, And yoursT'
Jack"
And then the Hungerfords were at
hand. They smilingly greeted Jacks
committee and looked inquiringly at
Jack. There were two vacant seats in
the row ahead, and these the Hunger
fords took. Then Jacks committee
caught a peculiar CLEAN in pretty Mrs.
Hungerford's eye.
"Oh, excuse mel" she murmured. Il
forgot that you had been away. You
haven't met Jack, have you? Jack, this
is Mr.. and Mrs. Bob Hungerford."
ooh, yes" said Jack the diffident as he
smiled and bowed, II really feel as IL
ought to know you. Lucille mentioned
your names several times when she
wrote. Are congratulations little later
Rather" said the male Hungerford,
"the happy event took place some six
months ago"
II think" said Jack, without a trace
of embarrassment, that your happy
faces made me forget that you were not
still In the first quarter Of the honey
moon"
That's very NICE" said pretty Mrs.
Hungerford, with a little nod of thanks.
Then she looked at Lucille, and IL ever
a woman's glance asked us this the fa-
vored YOUTH" little Mrs. Hungerford's
asked 1t at that moment.
stop here long?" inquired the male
Hungerfoyd.
"Only through the last act" replied
Jack.
II mean in Cleveland"
81 don't know. I'm in the hands of
the committee"
Tall Bob Hungerford looked a little
astonished at the reply, and Lucille
laughed.
said Jack Is an adept at slang. 1t
isn't so bad either, is tin the hands
of the committeer"
And just then the curtain went up.
When Jack and his committee filed out
Of the house, Lucille suddenly giggled.
"Those stupid Hungerfords gave me a
bad FIVE minutes" she said, "but l
rather think l sent them away eating
their hearts out with curiosity"
Il wonder why you didn't tell them all
about the committee and its noble work"
said honest Jack.
But the committee only giggled.
How would you like to ride behind
good horse r. she inquired moment later
why not?" quoth reckless Jack.
And, 10. as IL by magic, a tall dogcart
drawn by mettlesome black horse, ap-
peared beside them, a drab coated driver
stepped out and handed the reins to the
young woman, and a moment later she
and Jack were speeding away toward the
suburbs. 1t was a most delightful 40
minutes ride, and then the tall cart was
suddenly drawn up In front OF hand
some residence as young man came
running down the steps.
1t was Tom.
Jack" he cried as he gripped an out
stretched hand. Then he added, II see
Tricksy found you all right"
"Tricksyw gasped Jack.
Then he remembered that Tom had &C.
casionally mentioned a sister. and some
how he had formed the impression that
she was a fence climbing holden In clip
ped curls and extremely short skirts
just scatter Drained, romping child.
And this lovely girl was the real Tricksy.
What blooming idiot he had been not to
guess it before!
mo wonder she found you," continued
Tom. shes stolen all my photos OF you
and stuck them up all over her room
Jack in football toys over the mantel,
Jack starting for the Orinoco on the
dresser, jack
"Tom," cried the blushing Lucille,
you're horrid! Then she turned to
Jack.
1.-THE committee on reception will take