Newport daily independent., 1903-04-09
ssSSsSsSsSS'SsSs'SsSs'Ssss SSs ; : ; vvsvvSY

nNO GIRL in her senses, my dear,
 lV will acknowledge her engage ment in the middle of the season." Madge Forester said, pulling up her furs, putting down her cup on a Beneres Tabuouret, and reaching for d Vienese bouche i'll silver dish
 What makes you think Fan is en- gaged?" a tall, slender girl said in az indifferent voice, securing with long, gold pin bunch of Parma violets among the sweet-scented laces of her tea gown.
 "Why, the conspicuous way in which she flashed her solitaire at us It's perfect be tuty, too. Then, just as we were leaving, Gordon Huntley walked in, and there was no mistak- ing their elaborate indifference to each other. It was positively chilling. When l went out I found I had left my card c;se on Fans table, so | turned back to get it."
 Pretty Mrs. Forester paused and laughed gleefully.
 'sOf course you found it in your muff?" Alice Castleton, the slender girl with beautiful brown eyes and Venetian hair, suggested. --.s4Eow in the world did .y'ott guess2 That is eXIetlys ysl9silere it was. Funny, wasn't it?
 Well, when I raised the portiere, their heads were close together and they were talking so earnestly they neither of them saw me at all So l T q as you may suppose. Oh, yes, they are positively engaged
 "Is that some of your grand mothers lace, Allie? It's perfectly exquisite. What lucky creature to be able to go to ancient wardrobes and presses, and pull out all those beautiful laces. Carl says I'm running Rim buying mine. You know laces are one of my hobbies, and woman can't live without them in these ex- travagant days. l told that husband of mine it really is not my fault if the horrid shopmen ask such abomi- rable prices. Of course I'll see you tonight at the Cammerons'."
 Mrs. Forester and her Felix gown fitted away, and as it was too late for other callers, Alice settled down in a big armchair, and, leaning back, set to work to face the silly situation.
 Messenger says he was told to wait for an answer, Miss" the butler said. coming in and handing note. Ii read:
 My dear Miss Alice, if you have noth- ing better to do this afternoon. let me
 .N,4.. yl,.t,H we'll and l will promise faithfully to bring you back in time for dinner. l will be round for you at 6. The disappointment would be cruel should you refuse. Yours,
 "HUNTLEY"
 Alice flushed hotly, laughed and tossed the note in the fire, on which John, the butler, was piling logs.
 Then. settling back among her cushions, she resumed the study of the social problem, which had been interrupted.
 T believe the boy is waiting, Miss, ' John suggested after lengthy pause.
 Alice made up her mind and acted accordingly.
 Her refusal might be construed as result of pique.
 She again flushed hotly, sprang up, and dashed off few lines.
 Spinner to-day is rather more impor- tant than usual, as Eva and her hus- band (they are just back from Paris, you know) and a lot of stupid people are to be here At any rate l feel sure you will bring back what remains of me. Faith fully, ALICE CASILbIoN'
 "A short while later very hand some girl was helped into an automo- bile and the driver, looking suppress edly happy, and giving orders to the groom, who had brought it up to the front steps of a big, stately man. sion to wait for it, sprang in and sped down the avenue.
 What a glorious evening"" he com mented namely, and with ring of keen cxhilaration in his voice, while thinking the girl at his side was a thousand times more so.
 Alice, flushed and indignant, had learnt, during her four seasons, how to chat brilliantly, and laugh uncon- eernedly, quite irrespective of any in- ternal storms or disappointments which might be playing havoc.