The Monticellonian., 1906-02-01
THANKSGIVING DAY
 AND JULIAN  By FLORENCE HOLMES BEACH
Copyright, 1908, by Joseph B. Bowles

his happy festival, and indeed had sHe not looked at the calendar she would never have known that it was Thanksgiving day at all However as her father reminded her, she was going 10 the Thanksgiving day ban qiet al the Hotel Cecil-the Waldorf astoria of London. There if she tried very hard she might even imagine her self back in New York for an hour or Two.
 All day long she endeayored to lose lie memory of that last Thanksgiy- Ag day. when to the general rejoicing was added the announcement of her engagement to Julian. How pleased everyone was at the news. but none SO proud and happy as herself though she never would have owned to it
 But even as she remembered she shook her head proudly No, she would not remember She never wished te see him again, she told herself
 They were very late in arriving at the Cecil the carriage had been bloekedin Piecadilly Circus They made their way quickly to the table indicated, and she slipped into her chair As she did so, she heard voice al her elbow saying quietly: This is an unexpected pleasure. "
 She east q startled glance at the b!aek-coated man next her The voice was very familiar The first glance at his elose-eropPed black eurls and broad shoulders sent the blood insh= lng to her face She c1utched her napkin desperately. sending the roll within almost bowling into his knees He caught it adroitly and returned it Nith a quizzical smile
 She was obliged to say Thank Eou which she tried to do in the most distant manner The effect. how. ever was rather lost by her general breath1essness.
 You are rather late he said. cool lH was afraid you were not com Ing
 Indeed she said, icily. regaining : little sef-possession but still un- pleasantly conscious of heightened cclor. He noticed fl and mentally voted il very becoming
 Yes. he said, I did not know the honor that was in store for me until ! looked al the plan of the tables ciear soup. please-but perhaps you ar. ranged il 2s
 No. indeed she said, indignantly. we did not know you've had no Idea who would be sitting next 10 Us. One has to take the place that ia allotted. She gave casual stance around the room At suca places one sits next t0 strange people. The company is very mixed
 .'lt is indeed he said. heartily; that is why l was so pleased t0 find kind fate had put me next to"-ne Paased the charming partner#l had beside me al last Thanksgiving diG Ter
 Perhaps she replied If you knew her feelings you would not be SO thankful"
 An he said helping himself to some tnrbot but at q dinner one $ uot concerned with feelings. you know. except as to the quality of the din- 4er My plan has always been To laake the best of my neishDors and To get as much amusement out of them as can They in turn may get what amusement they can out of me A woman is always good at amusing her self with man. .
 T suppose SC" she said. with an aii of impartiality. "A fiirt always has exceptional opportunities for studying such matters But let LIS discuss our neighbors-that is the proper thing to do
 Yes lets. said he "We will dis miss the table decorations by calling hem tasteful, think that is the word, although the sickle is obviously card board and silver paper What an awfully pretty girl that is in green!"
 T wasn't aware that you liked girls with ginger hair before. especially in conjunction with a green grass dress.
 Ginger? Oh, no. auburn. Now, at @ dance tho other night made the acquaintance of Woman-we got on 1ather well together and she had the most glorious hair you can imagine 
 Who is that woman with the enor- nous tower of diamonds on her head and d disagreeab!e expression9" she inquired
 That, he replied, curiously enough, is the mother of my auburn-haired di- yinity of the dance
 @Is that so2" said Sadie What nice mo,her-in-law she will make
 Well. now do you know" he re pied, with an air of engaging candor, T am glad 10 hear you say so. I know your words are always carefully considered and your de cisions final pay you very hign compliment when l say you are a woman who never changes her mind Your no is really no and a man would be rash indeed who asked you Q reconsider your decision It is a treat to know a woman who never does anything nasty or ih-considered 2
 "I-I did not know you realized my character sc we'll
 ''I had-pardon my reminding you some opportunities of studying it, op- portunitios highly esteemed by me. have diligently laid your lessons to | heart"
 "You are indeed satisfactory pu-