Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-07-18
When Woman
Guides >,
~y M HENRY
NH kUE. LINSLEY
DOOLITTLE.
Copyright. 1897, BIZ p. G. EaStmsnt.

| unbusinesslike envelope and hastily
tore it open. He read softly, with ris-
| ing citation:
| NV Dear Jimmy-Monday evening next,
| April l. | 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 / should have let you know
| sooner had i 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 sin
| cere friend,
| GRACE LOUISE ELSTON.
at wouldn't do to miss Marjorie's
| birthday-in memory of three years
| ago. if for no other reason be medi-
| tated.
100 bad she had to kick u such
| fuss over nothing. How was | to
| blame? She must have walked up,
or | never shorld have been invited.
I wonder But at that moment the
pile of business letters caught his eye
| reprovingly.
| Arriving early at the Elston home,
he found the apartment abaze with
hearts. Large ones adorned the cur
tains and electroiers, while smaller
tokens of the occasion were strewn
| about in picturesque profusion. Above
the main doorway hung 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 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 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
| sister," as he had once called her, look
| ed very much grown up tonight. Bow
| or was among the first to press for
ward with congratulations. "How many
| is II this timer" he qulzzed i'll 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 n 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
| tingling 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. Ne
chanicaliy he crossed to her side.
| Il was never so stumped in my life"
confded his companion. You are an
| old friend of the family, Mr.. Bower.
| Did Miss Elstou 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-werc they as inno-
Gently attached TO her birthday as he
had supposed? He tried to recall her
new friends, but none seemed TO fit
| the case.
| well, if you can't tell me any more
about the man than that, guess III
| hunt up some one who can" Miss
Sherwood 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 indicated, land 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 find a
| consolation cozy corner in the conserv-
| atory.''
Starting at the third table Jim slow
suddenly dropped to the other end
| Marjorie was already there
"Unlucky in cards she laughed.
You might have given a fellow
little warning" he grieved-"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 hcapinG hearts upon
| her score, now adding needlessly to his
| own. The other pair exchanged know
| ing gances. He couldn't have made a
| palmer bid for the coy corner Yet
| Marjorie seemed Oblivious.
wow tell me all about it." began
! Jim few minutes later
Marjorie hesitated
There isn't so much to tell" she be-
gan slowly at last. clinton is a 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 a
deliberation that hurt "And. above
all he knows his own mind. WHY
shouldn't l love him?' she demanded.
turning suddenly to her companion.
"Oh, don't mind me tonight" he
deprecated. Its just this. can't
seem to realize what it all means ia
me. We did have such good times
once, Marie"
She started at the sound of her nick
name SO dearly laval 90 ia wv