The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-02-07

OVER ~ iIhc y Hastis anu LuSu fECUycFti
ing herself. as verify believe only
Isabel can. she turned TO greet Mrs
-Smythe.
How are you. dear? so glad You
could come, after all; how very, very
sweet OF YOU, and what pretty
gown"
i've only just returned to town"
said Mrs. Leamington-Smyfhe We
motored straight up from Nottingham
TO you, Lady Lascelles and |, and Z
went TO her club to tidy mp. and--oh.
by the way, she told me 10 tell you
but"
| lost the rest OF the sentence In a
friends greeting. but presently Isabel
pulled me on one side.
My dear Marjorie, it's tragedy"
she whispered; "and now whatever
! shall do?"
Il don't see that 1t matters" said:
you can't force her on the princess.
Can't you explain to her--delicately.
You know
Lady Isabel groaned my dear girl.
II you only knew how much there is 10
explain, and what tenterhooks am
on"
You, Isabel; why should you be on
tenterhooks. What do you mean? /
thought YOU had devised plan by
which"
The princess, interrupting us, said
good-by, adding that she had enjoyed
herself so much. but she hadn't an
other moment 10 wait; and she left
the room in rather a hurry She had
been standing close to Mrs Smythe.
who was obviously all expectancy, and
who looked deeply disappointed as she
saw her say good-by to MS
There now, you are safely out OF
Ii" | whispered cheerily. You cant
introduce person who isn't there.
and the princess has saved the situa-
ton by running away
HAS she?" said Lady Isabel, with
a grimace; you would not say so IL
you realized what the situation IS"
"Good-by, dear Lady Isabel said
Mrs, Smythe little later on. with
rather sour smile. I've enjoyed my
self so much. It's been a perfectly
delightful party. Was that the prin-
cess? Isn't she lovely?"
Yes; I'm so sorry | couldn't intro
duce you to her. said Lady Isabel,
but, as you saw, she was obliged TO
run away"
Some other time, perhaps" MUIR
INJURED Mrs. Smythe, with another wry
smile.
Yes, dear answered Lady Isabel.
BY the way, we shall see yon to-mor-
row afternoon at the Stauntons'.
shan't we?"
Oh yes"
She may be there" said Lady Isa-
bel who knew the Princess was going
out of town II believe she said sha
was going to be there. Good.by. then,
dear, till tomorrow then; be sure 10
come, and don't be late"
1t was the following afternoon. aud
we were making our way lahorionsiy
down Mrs. Ernest Staunton's crowded
staircase. As we reached the hall we
came face to face with Mrs. Leaning
ton smythe. who had just arrived.
Lady Isabel went towards hnr.
How are yon, dear?-how late YOU
are; the princess hasn't come yet, and
alas. here we are obliged to run
away"
Mrs Smythe's answer was to re-
gard her with glaring and icy stare.
and then, bowling eoldly 10 me. swept
past us across the hall and up tbs
stairs
MY dear Isabel whatever is the
Isabel answered me with her usual
radiant smile but her face had grown
little pale | rather believe that |
nave just been cut. Marjorie. What"
1T seems So" | agreed half doubt
ngly; but why?"
Yesterday" answered Isabel lacou.
caly.
Yesterday" | repeated: but you
ould not introduce her to a woman
7ho would not wait; besides. she was
uite friendly to YOU yesterday"
An, but YOU see. | had written her
little note. explained Lady Isabel.
joking pathetically at me, "and when
heard her say she had not been
ONE. knew at once she had not
cen it,"
But she came, so why did that
natter? What had YOU said you want.
her to see before she came?"
Lady Isabel laughed. and then she
ghed.
Nothing mueh-only | had said
as very sorry to put her of, as
as III and going out Of town"