The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-11-26

eial bachelor. He played with equal
grace the role Of guest and host. and
hence was exceedingly popular. 1t
struck him suddenly. however, that
such little functions as he was in the
habit Of initiating were too formal, too
elaborate. They lacked the personal.
intimate charm Of hospitality in a
domestic sitting.
He decided to do something quite
different from the conventional thea
ter, restaurant dinners or automobile
parties upon which his reputation had
been built.
After some little meditation he decid-
ed to entertain a very few guests at
dinner In his bachelor quarters. The
first thing. Of course, was to gravely
consider those to be invited. For some
time Madeline Gaylord's name headed
m imaginary list in complimentary
isolation. Gradually, however, other
names to the number of five were add
ed. The date was next arranged for
and the invitations to "a most in
formal dinner" issued.
The most important feature being
thus dismissed, Brabrook turned his
attention to the minor details incident
to a simple house dinner party. The
inventory Of his household assets prov
ed appallingly negative:
No dining room table.
No table linen.
No dishes.
Plenty OF wineglasses.
No silver.
Two candlesticks.
Well, he could hire the table linen,
err, but he preferred to buy 1t. 1t was
a pity he had not allowed himself a
little more time for preparations. A
week furnished Il narrow margin.
Realizing that no time must be lost,
Gerald first purchased a mahogany
dinner tGhi2, round and large enough
to scat six cC2ily. Elated over its ac-
GuiSi,icn AMI coHgratulating himself
upon having hjI The remarkable fore
sight TO invite just the right number
to surround il, Brabrook attacked the
next item ~ the list with a vim Dor
derirg upon enthusiasm.
I'll ask Madeline Gaylord to help ne
out" he said 10 himself confidently
and then Immediately rctractcd the
decision. No; he must do this thing nj
himself. Simple as the affair was to he
no woman should have the credit OF
having engineered It.
With the help OF a very affable clerk
Gerald selected Il dinner cloth, napkins
and appropriate centerpiece. 1t quite
astonished him to find out how really
expensive such everyday essentials
We're. lie appreciated now for the
first time why brides We're supplied
with "linen chests as well as trOus
seauX.
1t must be a great help to Il young
husband not to have to buy q lot of
such things all at once. The purchase
Of the silver Gerald thoroughly enjoy
ed, me with very conscious pride he
ordered his initials engraved upon each
piece.
Gradually everything upon the list
was checked off, and he was free to
give his attention to the menu. This
being quite In his line, all arrange-
ments were soon concluded and lief,
in charge Of an expert chef.
AS n master stroke Of informally,
however, Gerald decided to serve the
dinner himself. To this end he consid.
cred a rehearsal necessary. Accord.
ingly on the night preceding that for
which the dinner was scheduled he
rolled the new mahogany dining table
Into the middle Of his not overspacious
living room and reluctantly hid its
polished surface under the damasli
cloth.
A cut glass cigar holder, punctilious,
Iy placed on the center, represented
floral decorations. tie should have
American Beauties for the dinner It
self. Madeline liked themD
In the midst Of sorting out the shin
ing silver into sets OF six Gerald was
called to the telephone.
Hello he answered. "Who? Miss
Gaylord? Well. send her right up"
There was no time for trying to un-
derstand this most extraordinary hap
pening. Gerald could only conclude
that Madeline in an impulse Of gener-
osity had come Ove to offer her as
sistance. But Madeline unchaperoned'
This is awfully good OF you, Made
line" he Said. with warm cordially
ushering her IN. II am really in a hole
over the arrangement OF the silver,
Do the spoons 60 here at the right OF
at the top Or
"Just wait till | get my things of
Gerald, and I'll help yOu," Madeline
interrupted gayly. "Oh. isn't 1t going
to be fun
Gerald in p bcwilderment Of admlra
ton watched the long coat fall from
Madeline's graceful shoulders.
"a dream" he murmured soto yoce.
Madeline blushcd becOmingly.
"Well, you certainly act as If you
were in one, Gerald" she commented
lightly. "COme. lets set the table
Oh" she broke eff, laughing, chow
awfully funny that cigar holder looks