Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1907-07-12
When Woman
GuideS BY
TheP0t. l a1San
DOOLITTLE.

unDuSlneSSllke envelope ana naSuly
tore it open. He read softly, with ris-
ing elation:
My Dear Jimmy-Monday evening next,
April l, 1 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. 1 should have let you know
sooner had 1 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 sim
cere friend,
GRACE LOUISE EISTON.
"It wouldn't do to miss Marjorie's
birthday-in memory of three years
ago, if for no other reason" lie medi-
tated
''Too bad she had to kick up such a
fuss over nothing. How was / to
blame? She must have walked up,
or 1 never should 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 ablaze 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 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 parted, with laugh that
Jared strangely on his nerves. "Oh,
there's Mr.. Stanwood. 1 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 it this timer" 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 a memory, jim.
Can't you ever forget? After the teens
ri isn't Y1ro,1d Of ho,. .,
He made way for the others with a
tingling 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
reckoning to him with parted lips. Me-
chanically 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 is 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, 1 guess I'll
hunt up some one who can" Miss
Sherwood disappeared with a parting
shot, 81 always supposed you were the
right bower in that game"
Miss Elston was passing the tally
cards. 1.-The head table is up there"
she indicated, "and 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 conserv-
atory."
Starting at the third table, Jim slow
ly 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 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 heaping hearts upon
her score, now adding needlessly to his
own. The other pair exchanged know
ing glances. He couldn't have made a
palmer bid for the coy corner Yet
Marjorie seemed oblivious.
"Now tell me all about it," began
Jim n few minutes later. g
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.
ooh, don't mind me tonight" he
deprecated. cts just this: 1 can't
seem to realize what it all means to
me. We did have such good times
once, Marie"
She started at the sound of her nick
name, so dearly loved Of old. Eve
were children then" refectively.
"And you promised to give me first
chance if any one else came along" he
pursued, drawing closer.
Did l, really? How foolish of me-"
she laughed. yet we were children
through it all. We even scrapped like
children at the finish"