The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-15

nudg1ng Salhe, ITO let me drop out"
"Oh, / couldn't think of it." re-
piled Frances, politely. IF grand
father weren't so deaf I'll tell you
what we can do. Well set one table
on the porch, we'll pretend that grand
father is Fred Price, and you girls
can take turns sitting out there with
him. You all know him, and he'd
really enjoy having Won talk TO him,
It's only five minutes, you know, and
he has his trumpet"
Sallie's carefully planned system
went wrong from the first. Tho
topics given by her successive part
Rers were as remote as possible from
the subjects she had so sedulously
studied. Only once was she able to
use her store of learning. When Jack
NARROW gave her Hearts," Sallie
said that hearts were sometimes made
of adamant, then straightway poured
an entire column of adamantine in
formation into Jacks astonished ear.
Eleanor's first partner was Ted
Brown. He frlmbled in his pocket and
brought forth scrap of paper ON
which he had scrubbed a list Of
words.
Your subject is Silence" said
Ted, with a twinkle in his eye. "Or
would you rather have 'Prunes'?"
Tm-Pm satisfied" murmured
Eleanor, with an answering twinkle.
Not another word did Eleanor say
until the bell rang. Thea she leaned
forward to say, blushingly, 81 liked
that topic.'
"You handled 1t beautifully" re-
piled Ted. Don't tell. I'm going
to give it to all the others, and see
if they're bright enough to keep
STILL" ~
Eleanors next partner greeted her
with mischievous smile. She knew
him only too well. He was the boy
who always grinned delightedly when
ever she said 81 don't know in. class.
The color rose in her cheeks. She
determined suddenly that wild horses
should not drag the phraset"I don't
know from her lips during that in
terview.
What can you tell me about Aris-
tctle," asked the boy. wickedly initial
ing Mr.. Mobiles drawl
Lots" said Eleanor, suddenly
Frightening to degree that surpris
ed the boy. "He happens to be our
: old tlack-and-white cat, and he has
taken woolly puppy to raise. When
the puppy doesn't behave, Aristotle
boxes his ears We call him Aristotle
because the puppy's name in Alexan-
der the Great. You know it was
Aristotle who supervised the educa-
ton of Alexander"
Encouraged by the establishment in
the boys frank eyes, Eleanor ratified
off the entire history of the family
cat. The FIVE minutes seemed in
credibly short Eleanor felt distinct
ly elated. She had always wanted
to astonish that grinning boy.
When the next youth sAuffled into
the seat at her table, Eleanor realiz-
ed that she was by no means the
most bashful person at the party. It
certainly seemed a most anxious mo-
ment for her new partner. He fumb-
led in all his pockets, upset vase,
opened and closed a quivering mouth
several times without saying any.
thing, and finally blurted a solitary
word:
'Fishin'."
why" said Eleanor, suddenly con-
scious of strong. almost motherly
desire to relieve the lads embarrass-
ment. Il don't know much about fish
ing, but guess we'd both rather go
fishing than attend parties"
u certainly would" confided the
boy, gratefully, shut mother made
me come This collars scraping the
/ skin off my ear Must a fellow stay
till it's over?"
Recognizing diff1dence even great
er than her own, Eleanor devoted
the next four minutes to making her
unhappy partner as comfortable as
possible. She was able, too, to hand
him over gracefully to his next part
ner. and found to her amazement that
her own foolish fears were vanishing.
She was actually having good time
After that things went smoothly
enough
Her ninth partner was Grandfather
Bennington. Eleanor, with new
born ease that sat becomingly, slipp-
ed Into the chair at his side, and
said, smilingly:
Good evening, NIr. Bennington!
Have you topic for me?"
We'll, now" replied Grandfather
Bennir gton, who looked fatigued, "I'm
not sure whether it's safe to let you
talk any or not. Sallie Dennison--
your. sister. I guess-has just
filled this trumpet clear to the
brim with Portland cement, and my
heads whirling round like a top. n
little nap might be more beneficial
than conversation tried to haaI