The Taney County republican., 1904-10-20

Then came consultation high and
eunest. Waom could they ask upon
so short notice worthy of forming
one Of such a distinguished party?
Each CT TIE Talberts would have felt
insul.ed had he been asked by friend
to stop gap, so following the golden
rule they sA-unk from the task before
them. Still. they could not have foU.
on one side Of the table and three on
the ether.
Frank listened to their solemn delib.
Crat.ons fo- some time. then tried 10
help them out of the difficulty. Leave
me out" he said. Beatrice and p
he spoke Of her sometimes now az
Beatr!ce-"w!!l dine together in the
nursery or the house-keeDer's room.
Whitaker can bring the dishes
straight from your table. 1t will be
delightful"
"My dear Frank" This joint excla-
nation showed the utter fuulity OF his
suggestion.
Why not ask the rector? ] thought
1t was the duty Of country clergyman
to meet emergencies like this"
"He talks about nothing but his fist.
ing" said Horace. mournfully.
Fishing for what? For men?"
mo; salmon and trout" answered
Horace, as usual taking the matter pro-
saically.
why not Mordle? He is capital
COMPANY"
"Ha.hum," said Horace, gazing at
Herbert. This Is scarcely curate's
party"
mo. sczrcely." said Herbert, shak-
Ing his head.
At last they decided TO ask a Mr.
Turner, but the decision was arrived at
with m.sg!viLgs; for Mr. Turner was in
trade. He was. however, a merchant
prince-even merchant emperor
and. as Horace expressed It, was .
member Of the aristocracy OF wealth.
They felt that Mr.. Turner might be
asked at short notice. and would not
be offended when he heard IT, was TO
E.eet Lord Kelston This Is one Of the
many advantages OF entertaining lords.
Nevertheless. they were conscience
stricken al having asked any enc to
stop a gap 50 made amends by arrang.
Ing their guests so that Mr. Turner
should sit on Herbert's left hand: Hor.
aces supporters being Lord Kelston
and his friend Mr.. Simmons. The lat.
ter was man OF middle age. with dark
eyes and exquisitely chisled aquilinc
features. and wearing an air Of refine.
ment which at once commended him to
Horace.
The dinner began propitiously, and
progressed faultlessly. The table, over
the decoration OF which the brothers
had spent much time and more
thought, was a perfect picture. When
their guests were only men. the Tai.
berts were extra particular. The lack
of the reftnlrg element, the presence OF
woman. had to he compensated by an
ultra fastidi-usness OF detail. Even
Frank, who had been behind the
screens. maryelcd at the effect OF his
hosts hosDi'able and artistic exertions.
But. all the anne he pitied them as we
should all pity host who Is certain to
be rendered wretched by tureen OF
burnt soup or a bottle OF corked wine.
Horace tailed Grayely and pleasantly
to the right and to the left. Herbert
was compelled I to attend almost entire.
ly to Mr. Turner. who had booming
voice. which he insisted upon making
heard. Franz. who was next to the
artist, found the dinner not so dull al
he had feared 1t would be.
In the course Of conversation Horace
learnt that lord Kelstons friend was
Mr.. Slmmo-s. the noted barrister.
who had SO sIddenly sprung into emin'
cnce. Dir. Simmons was Jew Of gen.
tie birth and education. and Horace was
very fond g. high-class Jews. So the
two men got n alm!r2b.y. Frank also
knew who BIZ. Simmons was. Herbert
did not.
All went On as well as the Ta.berts
could have "lsbed until the claret was
.-,..s1 =. -, .atia Then an awful