Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-04-26

went to her club to tidy up, and--oh, by the way, she told me to tell you she's 30 sorry she couldn't come, but"
 lost the rest of the sentence in . friends greeting. but presently Isabel pulled me on one side.
 My dear Marjorie. it's tragedy" she whispered; "and now whatever shall I do?"
 T don't see that 1t matters" I said; you can't force her on the princess. Can't you explain to her-delicately, you know"
 Lady Isabel groaned. My dear girl. if you only knew how much there Is to explain, and what tenterhooks I am on"
 You. Isabel; why should you be on tenterhooks. What do you mean? I thought you had devised a 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 to wait; and she left the room in rather 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 us.
 There now, you are safely out of it" I whispered cheerily. You can't introduce person who isn't there, and the princess has saved the situa- tion by running away
 Has she?' said Lady Isabel, with a grimace; you would not say so if you realized what the situation is"
 "Good-by, dear Lady Isabel" said Mrs. Smythe little later on. with a rather sour smile. I've enjoyed my self so much. It's been a perfectly delightful party. Was that the prln- cess? Isn't she loyely?"
 Yes; I'm so sorry I couldn't intro- duce you to her" said Lady Isabel, but, as you saw, she was obliged to run away"
 Some other time, perhaps" mur- mured Mrs. Smythe, with another wry smile
 Yes, dear" answered Lady Isabel. By the way, we shall see you to-nAor. 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. T believe she said she was going to be there. Good.by, then, dear, till tomorrow then; be sure to come. and don't be late"
 It was the following afternoon, and we were making our way laboriously 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 her.
 How are you, 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, lowing coldly to me. swept past us across the hall and up the stairs.
 My dear Isabel. whatever is the matter?" :,s 5-sslasAxs..a M
 Isabel answered me with her usual radiant smile, but her face had grown a little pale. T rather believe that have just been cut. Marjorie. What?"
 Tt seems SO" agreed half doubt ingly; but why?"
 Yesterday" answered Isabel lacou- ically.
 Yesterday" I repeated; but you could not introduce her to a woman who would not wait; besides, she was quite friendly to you yesterday"
 "Ah, but you see. had written her little note,' explained Lady Isabel, looking pathetically at me, "and when heard her say she had not been home. I knew at once she had not seen it."
 But she came. so why did that matter? What had you said you want ed her to see before she came?"
 Lady Isabel laughed, and then she sighed.
 Nothing much-only had said I was very sorry to put her ofY, as was III and going out of town"