The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-31
The EVENING STORY
The Rehearsal
By Martha Cobb Sanford

habit Of initiating were too formal too
elaporate. They lacked the personal,
lntlmate charm Of hospitality in a. do
nestle setting.
ferent from the conventional theater,
restaurant dinners or automobile par
Ties upon which his reputation had
been built.
After some little meditation he de-
cioea 10 entertain very few guests at
dinner In his bachelor quarters. The
hrst thing of course was to gravely
consider those to be invited. For some
time Madeline Gaylord's name headed
an imaginary list in complimentary
isolation: Gradually. however. other
| names to the number of five Were
added. 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 simple house dinner party. The in
ventory of his household assets proved
appallingly negative.
No dining room table.
No table linen.
No dishes.
Plenty of wine glasses.
No silver.
Two candlesticks.
Well, he could hire the table linen;
the dishes and the silver from a ca
terer, but he preferred to buy 1t. 1t
was a pity had not allowed himself
a little more time for preparations.
week furnished a narrow margin.
Realizing that no time must be lost,
Gerald first purchased mahogany
dining table, round, and large enough
to seat six costly. Elated over its ac-
QUESTION and congratulating himself
upon having had the remarkable fore
sight to invite just the right number to
surround it. Brabrook attacked the
next item on the list with vim bord-
ering upon enthusiasm.
"Ill ask Madeline Gaylord to help me
OUT" he said to himself confidently,
and then Immediately retracted the de-
cision. No. he must do this thing all
himself. Simple as the affair was to
be, no woman should have the credit of
having engineered it.
With the help of a very affable
clerk. Gerald selected a dinner cloth,
napkins and appropriate centerpiece.
1t quite astonished him to find out how
really expensive such everyday essen,
tials were. He appreciated now for
the first time why brides were supplied
with "linen chests as well as trouS-
seau.
1t must be a great help to a young
husband not to have to buy lot of
such things all at once. The purchase
of the silver Gerald thoroughly en-
joyed, and with very conscious pride
he ordered his initials engraved upon
each piece.
Gradually everything upon the list
was checked off. and he was freg to
give his attention to the menu. This
being quite in his line, all arrange
ments were soon concluded and left in
charge of an expert chef.
AS master stroke of informally,
however Gerald decided to serve the
dinner himself. To this end. he con-
sidered a rehearsal necessary. Ac-
cordingly, on the night preceding that
for which the dinner was scheduled.
he rolled the new mahogany dining
spacious living room, and reluctantly
hid it's polished surface under the
damask cloth.
A cut glass cigar holder. punctilious-
floral decorations. Gle should have
American beauties for the dinner
itself-Madeline liked them-)
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 not time for trying 10 un-
derstand this most extra ordinary hap
rening Gerald could only conclude
that Madeline in an impulse of gener-
osity had come over to offer her as
sistance. But Madeline unchaperoned!
This is awfully good of you, Made
line" he said with warm cordially
hole over the arrangement of the sill
YER Do the spoons go here at the
right or at the top, Or?
"Just wait till I get my things off.
Gerald. and III help you" Madeline
interrupted gaily. ION, isn't IL going
to be fun?'
Gerald. in a bewilderment of adj
miration, watched the long coat fall
from Madeline's graceful shoulders.
ga dream!' he murmured soto
voce.
Madeline blushed becomingly.
'Well, you certainly act as If you
were in one Gerald" she commented
lightly Come, let's set the table
Oh" she broke off. laughing. "how
awfulIy funny that cigar holder looks
tainly aren't going to have it there.
This isn't a stag dinner. you know"
"Oh. that's just a dummy" Gerald
| answered condescendingly. There are
| to be American Beauties"
where are they?" demanded the
mistress of ceremonies.
"Oh. let's not put them on now
| They'd wilt" said Gerald whimsically.
s.And anyway they haven't come"
"Then, for the time being, I'm go.
| ing to use these I'm wearing,
Madeline announced.
Gerald. entirely forgetful of the I'M
| shared glory that he had coveted,
stood watching Madeline as she deftly
distributed the silver on the taDie deT
small shapely hands seemed fairly to
twinkle.
Come. Gerald, make yourself use
| full" Madeline chided laughingly as
| she looked up suddenly and became
conscious of his attitude of idle ad-
miration.
Gerald obeyed-
at hope the others won't get here
before we're ready" she added ex-
, citedly wasn't 1t lucky happened
to come a little early? You see, Mrs.
Sinclair was delayed by
But she got no further with her ex-
| PLANTATION.
Gerald's belated gasp of 1.-THE
| othersi" startled her into abrupt
silence She stood staring at him In
painful embarrassment
'sIt isn't possible" she finally man