The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-09
Copv,tehi. 1902. by Myrtle Reed.


Some of the men were upstairs playing
billiards. while others lounged ungrace-
fully in the drawing room. frankly bored.
The women we're clustered in forlorn little
groups. Gossip was exhausted and bridge
was tabooed
Reginald Kerwin. though proverbially
good -natured. sat with his back to the
company He was bending over the win
dow seat having cast the cushions TO the
floor, and was apparently interested In
pack Of cards.
Mrs Claxton, desperately seeking q
conversational lead. called out TO him.
with assumed cheerfulness
.Oh. Regey, What are you doinef'
There was no answer and Helen Clax-
ton. the pretty sister Of the host, sauntered
lesurely in his direction.
Didn't YOU hear the lady speak 10 your
she inquired.
NO" he responded, without looking up.
(which lady was it2"
THE lady Of the house, of course she
retorted Nobody else is likely to-"
"Oh. don't know, he said, lazily.
She sat down on the window seat. az a
little distance from the scattered cards.
What are you doing'" she asked, smoth-
ering yawn.
Playing solitaire"
The last resource of "A vacant mind
Not always he replied, gathering
up the cards This is the game Napo-
leon invented 10 relieve the deadly monot-
ony Of 81 Helena. thought II especially
apropos Of the occasion.
How tactful you are she exclaimed,
with evident admiration.
THAT isn't tact it's truth. Tact If the
ert Of lying gracefully"
He snapped rubber band around the
cards and tossed them aside
ION the dead, Helen, isn't this about
the wors, house party You were ever Gagged
up n?"
1T certainly is she answered, with
more animation, Cant you do some
thing to liven It up bit?'
Il came here for entertainment he
complained. and I'm not getting II. It's
up to the ClaNton family
We can't do anything with u wooden
Indian she said, pointedly
Il might propose 10 you again, he ven
tured. L don't know any parlor tricks.
but pride myself on my one accomplish
ment.'
She shifted scornfully and left him.
i've been presented with an epigran,"
she announced. going toward her sister-in-
law. Tact IL the art OF lying grace
fully"
.Of course 1t is." said Jean Griffin, sitting
up straight in her chair. for. next to golf.
she loved an argument.
Kerwin joined the group.
1--we got wisdom to burn. he said oracu-
larly Lying is the only thing that keeps
society together. If We all spoke the exact
truth we should be a nation Of hermits,
each living in his own little hut"
Il don't tell fibs. answered Mrs Claxton
with a natural resentment, since she was
famed for her tact If think nice things
about people I say Them and II don't
keep still"
Truth concealed is the same as q lie.'
argued kerwin.
Miss Griffin had a pretty color in her
cheeks. being interested in something for
the first time in three long DAYS.
I'm tell you how We'll prove it or dis
prove it," she said Tomorrow all Of us
will tell the exact unvarnished truth all
day"
There were faint murmurs of disap
proval from the women, and the light of
amusement came into Kerwins hazel eyes.
At the unusual signs Of life three or four
men came from distant corners of the
room and thoughtlcssly approved Of the
suggestion.
Mrs. Claxton, seeming disaster ahead
fastened to say
oh no, let's not do that"
you Just said you didn't hb," retorted
Jean Aren't you willing for the rest Of
lis TO follow in your virtuous footsteps for
one day only"
Bargain day in morals, suggested Miss
Jefries, laughing. Truth marked down
this day only
Mrs. Daxton relentcd.
An right" she said soberly, IF it rains,
We Will do it"
The rest OF the guests were speedily
drawn into the arrangement
The Truth, the whole urth and nothing
but the truth" explained Kerwin, "for to-
morrow only After that-an armistice.'
You're a pessimst." said Miss Griffin.
accusingly, as the guests separated for the
night
archist," he responded Nice little bomb
you've put into the party. Ifsomebody isn't
hurt, | miss my guess
Still il was not until he was alone In his
room that the possibilities Of the situation
we're fully revealed. He smiled NJ first and
Chuckled softly some moments later
sIll try it," he said TO himself. It's the
last throw Of the dice, guess I'd better
pray for rain,
The morning of the fourth day made no
change in the monotonous drizze. From
his window he could zee the links, soggy,
and dotted with pools of water. He was
enthusiast who did not mind cold, but he
had no fondness for aquatic golf.
As he was dressing there was a rap NJ
the door, and a card appeared ON the thres-
old. He picked it up and read in Jimmy
Clsxton's clear, bold hand:
The truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth. for one day only.
He heard the servant rap at Miss Grit