The Washington herald., 1907-03-20
When Woman Guides the Plot
BY Henry LINsLEYDooLITTLE.

bt HEINht LllNSl
The unusual Is ever the most attractive
From his assortment of morning mail
Bower first of all selected the one un-
.businesslike envelope and hastily tore it
open.
MY Dear Jimmy" read softly with
rising elatiOn.
"On Monday evening next, April the
first 1 am planning a little heart sur
prise party in honor OF little sisters birth
day. It won't be complete without one
OF her best friends, so please cut every
thing and come. ] should have let you
know sooner had not expected to see
you at the club reception last night
Where were you-out with the other girl?
Anyway, Monday evening without fail.
Your sincere friend,
GRACE LOUISE ELsToN.
March b. 1896
1T wouldn't do to miss Marjorie's birth
day-in memory of three years ago. if
for no other reason, he meditated.
TOO bad she had TO kick up such a
fuss over nothing. How was l to blame2
She must have wakened up. or / never
should have been invited / wonder
but at that moment the pile of business
letters caught his eye reprovingly.
Arriving early at the Elston home, ne
found the apartments ablaze with hearts.
Large ones adorned the curtains and
electroliers, while smaller tokens Of the
occasion were strewn about in pictur-
esque profusion. Above the main door
way hung a flying Cupid, prince Of ro-
nance.
The early arrivals had formed into in
.terested groups. More than once Bower
thought he heard the mention Of some en-
gagement, but upon drawing nes@er 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 Darried with a 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 sis
ter" as he had once called her, looked
very much grown up tonight. Bower
was among the first to press forward
with congratulations. How many Is it
this time?" he quizzed in well-feigned
ignorance. Lets see, three years ago
it was nineteen; this time YOU throw
double twos-sign of good luck"
She smiled IN some embarrassment
You have too good memory, Jim.
Can't you ever forget? After the teens,
girl isn't so proud of her age"
He made way for the others, with a
tingiing 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 beckoning
TO him with parted lips. Mechanically he
crossed to her side.
Il 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?"
Il was about as much in the dark as
any one" he evaded
And did you see the ring?" she ratified
on. It's a perfect beauty
Jim smiled 10 hide his suspicion Those
best wishes-were they as innocently at
tached to her birthday as he had sup
posed? He tried to recall her new friends
{
Well. If you can't tell me any more
about the man than that. I guess III
hunt up some one who can Miss Sher-
wood disappeared with a parting shot:
Il always supposed you were the right
bower in that game"
Miss ElstOn was passing the tally cards
The head table is up there. she indicat-
ed, and the BOBBY at the other end. As
there are two people short, the poorest
couple at the last table viii have TO drop
out each time until the next change.
You'll md a consolation cOzy corner IN
the conservatory.
Starting at the third table. Jim slowly
advanced to the head. and then as sud
denly dropped to the other end. Marjorie
was already there.
"Uniueky in cards she laughed.
You might have given fellow a little
warning he gTieved sort of chance to
renew his option" But the sound Of the
bell cut short the conversation.
For the next ten minutes he PLAYED
iatrociously. now hesping hearts upon her
score. now adding needlessly 10 his own
The other pair exchanged knowing
giances. He couldn't have made a palmer
| bid for the coy corner. Yet Marjorie
seemed oblivious.
Now tell me all about t. began Jim
rev minutes later.
Marjorie hesitated
There isn't SO much 10 tell" she be-
gan slowly at last. Clinton is a distant
cousin Of mine. He cares fer me and /
care for him. He's well Off-and gener-
ous-and good locking. She weighed
each winning quality with a deliberatl on
that hurt. And. above all he knows his
own mind Why shouldn't I love hlm?''
she demanded. turning suddenly 10 her
companion.
"Oh, don't mind me tonight" he dep
reeated. It's just this: cant seem To
realize what Il All means TO me- We did
have such good times once, Marble"
She started AT the sound of ner nick
name, so dearly loved Of old. we were
children then. rehectively.
And you promised TO give me first
chance il any one else came along" he
pursued, drawing closer
Did /, really? How foolish Of me,