The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-04

little Maudie Faunce. Nell Foster, the
statuesque F'lorrie Carter and her tom
boy sister, Ella. They made a bee
line for Jack Bagot, who tried to look
pleased and succeeded fairly in the at
| tempt.
ITS been an age since last we saw
How well you're looking, Jack,
old boy"-"Love agrees with you
$50 tomorrow you die"-such were
the salutations that greeted him.
They put Bagot at the head of the
table and thanked him with Maudie
Faunce, who had pink carnations in
her hair, and the younger of the Carter
girls. Then the other three girls jul
diciously distributed themselves among
the seven remaining men.
Tim Morton insisted that we come"
whispered little Maudie Faunce. Then,
] wanted to see you again, Jack. "
She fingered the tablecloth and laugh
ed nervously. you didn't invite me
tomorrow. you know"
Jack didn't answer.
The supper was superbly served and
the crowd of the jolliest. In less than
an hour riot reigned. The lights, the
| tinkling glasses, the ripping laughter
of the women. the scent of the wine,
the chatter and the jest, the heat
waves and the blur in the eyes-while
the snowfiakes beat their tiny hands
against the window panes in admoni-
ton of the madness of it all.
The champagne was flowing freely
Twice Jack had attempted to stop
drinking, for the face of Mary Austin
had come to him, clear and distinct,
| too, for all that the cigarette smoke
was dense and heavy. There she was
again-or, no. that was not her face
either-why, what in the world-yes,
/ If little Ma1Idip ENannnn who WAS
looking up to him, and the smoke was
from her cigarette. What was she
saying ?-or was it Mary Austin speak
ing Pho, it was little Maudie Faunce
but how soft her voice was:
81 wouldn't drink any more, Jack.
Remember, you're not accustomed to
it. Please stop, Jack, for my-for-
for-pity's sake
Thirteen at the table and I never
knew it," and up jumped the elder of
the Carter girls. That's Tim Nor
! toms stupidity" and in a jiffy Flor
RE Garter had one of her slippers off.
and was belabouring Morton's luckless
head with it, Morton caught the slip
per and threw it to Monteith who in
turn tossed it to Brooke. Then Nell
Foster got it and threw it at Bates.
1T missed him and hit the wall oppo-
site.
There was general scramble TOT
the slipper, and the crowd fell over the
chair on which Jack Bagot's hat re-
posed. Then Monteith held the hat on
high, and the girls commenced to kick.
Maudie Faunce was the only girl left
at the table. She was quieter than
was her wont. So was Jack-but then
he was sleepy.
my hat. Maudie," and he waved to-
ward the kickers. MY hat-only one
! got to go way wish tomorrow"
Its tomorrow already" said lit
tie Maudie Faunce, and as Jack lifted
the champagne glass to his lips, she
gently caught his arm, and drew the
! glass down to the table again. mo
more. Jack" she said quietly.
Then Monteith caught two cham
payne glasses and clinked them to-
gether as accompaniment while Tim
Morton whistled THE Blue Danube. ="
Nell Foster was waltzing with Brooke.
They always waltzed well together
when Morton whistled and Monteith
played the champagne glass accompa-
niment. tlK1ElWYU
| Morton remembered that no toasts