Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-06-13
When Woman
Guides B,
-1 ~y HENRY
4 HPIEOI. LINSLEY
n0OT A'Ty
Copyright, 1907, by p. @. Easmen,.

The unusual is ever the most 8tIT8c
tive From his assortment of morning
mail Bower first of all selected the one
unbusinessllke envelope and hastily
tore 1t open. He read softly, with ris-
ing elation;
My Dear Jimmy-Monday evening next
April J. / am planning little heart sur
prise party in honor of little sisters birth
day. 1t won't be complete without one OF
her best friends, so please cut everything
and come. I should have let you know
sooner had / not expected TO see you at
he club reception last night. Where were
ou--out with the other girl? Anyway
donday evening without fail Your SIN
sere friend.
GRACE LOUISE ELsToN.
'It wouldn't do to miss Marjorie's
,irthday-in memory of three years
10. If for no other reason" he medi-
ated
'Too bad she had to kick up such a
lss over nothing. How was l to
anne? She must have walked up.
never should have been invited.
wonder But at that moment the
pile of business letters caught his eye
reprovlngly.
Arriving early at the Elston home,
he found the apartment ablaae with
hearts. Large ones adorned the cur
tatns and electroliers. while smaller
tokens of the occasion were strewn
about in picturesque profusion. Above
the main doorway hung a flying Cupid,
prince of romance.
The early arrivals had formed into
interested groups. More than once
Bower thought he heard the mention
of some engagement but upon drawing
nearer he was met by a sudden change
of subject and what seemed half
startled glances. At last he cornered
his hostess.
what does a heart party usually
mean?' she parried, with laugh that
Jared strangely on his nerves. "Oh,
there's Mr.. Stanwood. l must see that
be meets some of the out-of-towners,"
and she was gone.
Just then Marjorie entered. LITTLE
sister" as he had once called her, look
ed very much grown up tnnL2ht. Bow
er was among the first to press for
ward with congratulations, How many
is 1t this timer he quizzed In well
feigned ignorance. Let's see, three
years ago ii was nineteen. This time
you throw double twos-sign OF good
luck"
She smiled in some embarrassment
'You have too good a memory, Jim.
Can't you ever forgetf After the teens
a girl isn't SO proud of her age
He made way for the others with
tingnng sensation OF loss After all,
had it been so much her fault three
years ago? At the other side of the
room he caught sight of Miss Sherwood
beckouing TO him with parted lips. Me
chanically he crossed to her side.
81 was never so stumped in my life,"
confded his companion. You are an
old friend of the family, Mr.. Bower.
Did Miss EIston tell you before to-
nightY"
Il was about as much in the dark as
any one" he evaded.
"And did you see the ring?" she rat
lied on Its a perfect beauty"
Jim smiled to hide his suspicion.
Those best wishes-were they as limo
GENTLY attached to her birthday as he
had supposedY He tried to recall her
nSw friends, but none seemed to I'll
de case.
swell if you can't tell me any more
Ebout the man than that, I guess I'll
hunt up some one who can" Miss
Sherwood disappeared with a parting
shot, u always supposed you were the
right bower in that game"
Miss Elston was passing the tally
cards "The head table is up there
she indicated, and the BOBBY ut the
other end. As there are two people
short, the poorest couple at the last
table will have to drop out each time
until the next change. You'll find o
consolation coy corner in the conserv
atory."
Starting at the third table, Jim slow.
iy advanced to the head and then as
suddenly dropped to the other end
Marjorie was already there.
"Unlucky In cards''- she laughed.
''You might have given a fellow a
little warming he grieved-"sort OF
chance to renew his option" But the
sound of the bell cut short the CONVEX.
sgtion.
For the next ten minutes he played
atrociously, now heaping hearts upon
her score, now adding needlessiy to his
own. The other pair exchanged know.
ing glances. He couldn't have made
palmer bid for the cozy corner. Ye
Marjorie seemed oblivious.
Nov tell me all about IT," began
Jim few minutes later.
Marjorie besitated.
'-rhere isn't so much to tell,' she be.
gan slowly at last. Clinton is q dis.
tAnt cousin of mine. He cares for me
and care for him. Hes well ofr-and
senerous-and good looking" She
weighed each winning quality with It
deiiberation that hurt "And, above
all, he knows his own mind Why
shouldn't love himF' she demanded
turning suddenly to her companion.
''Oh, don't mind me tonight" h,
deprecated. ITS just this: I can't
seem to realize what it all means to
me. We did have such good times
once, Marble"
She started at the sound of her nick.
name, so dearly loved Of old. 1--WE
were chfldron then" rsfiectlvely.
''And you promised to give me frat
chance If any one else came along" be
ursued. drawing closer.
"Did L really How foolish Of rnaw