The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06

! night at one Of the smart restaurants; the
| table war TO be on the terrace. which was
| specially reserved. She spent the morning
getting ready. seeing that her ribbons were
fresh and that her hair wars carefully sham
poossi About II a boy came with a note
Il find that ] shall have TO give up the
dinner. wrote the hest, until more pro-
pitious time. Oae Of the party is sick and
the chap~ron is suddenly called out Of town
l hope to see you soon
The last sylablee were the only ones
that cheered her dropping spirits.
She spent the afternoon sendir & on; cards
to the ineligible, for her next Tuesday
and in making up mental parties of three,
four or Ave for the back yard.
The next morning she received long
letter from her rival, who was summering
AZ Lake George.
Shoals Of men. the Rival wrote; "never
saw so many; you have to scrape EN- of
your feet. they're so thick.
Clara wasn't deceived by this bravado
I'm wager" she said TO herself, that the
only men she's seen are married men with
their wives and children. l know her
The next two nights she gowned herself +,
the first night in pink. the second in blue,
and on bunch Of white cushions sat on the
front steps, with her eyes turned up the
street
Nothing happened.
For Saturday afternoon she had real
bona fide invitation. The week before she
had made her plans certain man she knew
had informed her that he intended to spend
every Saturday afternoon with her, agree
able.
She thought she would surprise him by
calling him on the phone and asking him
to luncheon She had not sent him card
for the Tuesday evenings for she had argued
that Saturday afternoons would accom-
plish more and she had feared that no
would think her too popular. He was
man who believed in monopolies.
She rang him up on the phone and gave
him the invitation, detailing the menu
before he had a chance to answer.
Il was just about to send you mes
sage he at length remarked. Il have
an invitation for house party over the
weekend ard you're SO good-natured l
knew you wouldn't mind. You see there
are 30 many other Saturdays
Not Bit" said Clara, bravely, and
then. true woman. Couldn't you run
in to luncheon? You could 90 imme-
diately after
I'm afraid not You see. the train goes at
1890. Bye-bye."
Clara wouldn't admit even to herself, that
the Saturday afternoons had had con-
siderable 20 do with her summer plans.
On Sunday she went TO church. The
minister was substitute. He was young,
fresh looking and had big. dreamy eyes.
Regular hammock eyes. said Clara toher-
self in the intervals of psalm and hymn.
She leaned over toward papa. Papa was
a church warden.
Don't you think it would be we'll to ask
that young man to lunch" she asked.
probably he's q stranger here and we've
cot some delicious salmon and sauce tar
tare."
Papa nodded He liked the young mans
looks. too
Clara waited for them in the porch and
exchanged domestic amenities with some
old ladies', friends of her mothers.
The young man was az grateful and as
graceful as one could desire.
When they reached home Clara skipped
upstairs and exchanged her walking gown
for a new rose pink null. with hand en-
broideries.
She put long chain Of beads. with a
cross at the end, over her head this was
her play for the orthodox,
They had a delightful luncheon. Clara
made her father open a rare vintage and
ordered some side dishes that were not
down on the days menu
It was while they were eating nesselode
that the young mar hardly out Of his teens.
made the first reference to his wife II
came after long silence, during which
Clara had been wondering if she would
like the duties OF a popular preachers
helpmate.
You are married?- asked papa, courte-
ously as he might have said you are this,
that or the other.
And have three beautiful children
he answered, looking toward Clara for
approval.
The rest Of the afternoon Clara spent
listening TO anecdotes about the beauty
goodness and saint illness of wife, the
precocious, almost supernatural abilities
Of Bobby, the queer way Of looking at thing
that Margie had and the taste for me-
chancs Of Tommy.
Papa excused himself right after luncheon
on the plea Of church records.
The young minister did not 60 until Clara