The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-06-06
When Woman
Guides B,
~J "J HENRY
NJ 4 IOLs LINSLEY
DOOLITTLE.
Copyright, 1907, by z. c Eastmen

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The unusual is ever the most attrac-
tive. From his assortment of morning
mail Bower first of all selected the one
unbusnesslike envelope and hastily
tore it open. He read softly, with rls-
ing citation:
My Dear Jimmy-Monday evening next.
April ], | am planning little heart sur
prise party In honor of little sister birth
day. 1t won't be complete without one of
her best friends so please cut everything
and come. | should lave let you know
sooner had | not expected to see you at
the club reception last night. Whore were
you-out with the other girl? Anyway,
Monday evening without fail Your sin
cere friend.
GRACE LOUISE ELSTON.
at wouldn't do to miss Mariorie's
birthday-in memory of three years
ago, If for no other reason" he medi-
tated
TOO bad she had to kick up such n
fuss over nothing. How was to
blame? She must have walked up,
or never should have been invited.
wonder But at that moment the
pile of business letters caught his eye
reproyingly
Arriving early at the Elston home,
he found the apartment abaze with
hearts. Large ones adorned the cur
taIns 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 n sudden change
of subject and what seemed half
startled glances. At last he cornered
his hostess.
what does n heart party usually
mean?" she parried. with laugh that
Jared strangely ON his nerves. "Oh,
there's Mr.. Stanwood. | must see that
he 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 tonight. Bow
er was among the first to press for
ward with congratulations. "How many
Is 1t this time?" he quiZzed in well
feigned ignorance. Lets see, three
years ago it was nineteen. This time
n i'm Of
luck"
She smiled In some embarrassment,
"You have too good n memory, Jim.
Can't you ever forget? After the teens
a girl isn't so proud of her age
He made way for the others with a
tlngllng sensation of loss After all,
had 1t been so much her fault three
years ago? At the other side of the
room he caught sight Of Miss Sherwood
reckoning to him with parted lips, Me-
chanica.ly he crossed to her side
81 was never so stumped in my life"
confided his companion. you are an
old friend OF the family Mr.. Bower
Did Miss Elston tell you before to-
night?"
II was about as much In the dark as
any one" he evaded.
"And did you see the ring?" she rat
tied on. Its perfect beauty"
Jim smiled to hide his suspicion.
Those best wishes-were they as limo
Gently attached to her birthday as he
had supposed? He tried to recall her
new friends, but none seemed to fit
the case.
well, IL you can't tell me any more
about the man than that l guess III
hunt up some one who can" Miss
Sherwood disappeared with a parting
shot, II 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, land the BOBBY at 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 a
consolation coy corner in the consery-
atory.'
Starting at the third table, Jim slow
iy advanced TO the neau ana THEN Ms
suddenly dropped to the other end,
Marjorie was already there.
"Unlucky In cards. she laughed.
"You might have given a fellow a
little warning" he grleved-"sort of
chance to renew his option" But the
sound of the bell cut short the CONVEX
sation.
For the next ten minutes he played
atrociously, now heaping hearts upon
her score, now adding needlessly to his
own. The other pair exchanged know
ing gances. He couldn't have made
palmer bid for the coy corner. Yet
Marjorie seemed oblivious.
Now tell me all about it, began
Jim a few minutes later.
Marjorie hestated.
There isn't so much to tell, she be.
gan slowly at last. "Clinton is dis.
tant cousin of mine. He cares for me,
and care for him. He's well off-and
generous and good looking" She
weighed each winning quality with