The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-25
Cupid In the
Blizzard.
RU cEclY ALLEN.
By cEClLY ALLEN.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

precedented November blizzard work
od together for the good cf Roland
Baxter.
Tho Silver-Hess wedding was sched-
ulad for Denver The absentminded
Mrs Graves and the relentless bliz-
aard met in Chicago.
POLLY Hess had recently moved to
Chicago, and when her brothers fan
roo wrote that the wedding would oc-
cnr directly before Thanksgiving day
end would she please have ducky
frock Of leaf green chiffon cloth to
wear as maid Of honor Polly instantly
decided that Chicago was a very big
c,ty and one in which O new dress
maker must be sought with discretion.
rpon her musings entered Mrs.
Graves. whose faculty for switching
from one topic of conversation to an
other with lightning rapidity was as
amusing to her friends as 1t was, be-
ui1dering to new acQuaintances. Said
Mrs. Graves:
"Of course 1 can help you out Ny
friend. Mrs. Baxter-you never did see
such clothes By the way, didn't Mrs.
Daly look like a trump at the club
meeting Thursday? Now, Mrs. Baxter,
nv dear-did you ever hear worse
violin music than we had on that pro-
gram? Her address-oh, yes-672 Bou-
levard. Dear child, however did you
train your lashes to curl like thatr'
An hour later Roland Baxter, look
inc into the wonderful violet eyes be-
meath those same curling lashes, inn
mediately decided that eyes, lashes
and the owner thereof had dropped
straight from heaven.
The Baxter maid was standing In
the private hallway of the Baxter
apartment explaining to Polly Hess
that Mrs. Baxter was not yet up.
Would Miss Hess call later in the
day? Mrs. Baxter expected to be home
all afternoon.
And at this instant the eldest scion
of the house Of Baxter added earnest
Iy: you'll surely find her here about 4.
Do come back. She would be sorry
to miss you"
Then by exerting all his will power
he managed to stand perfectly still
and watch the violet eyed angel take
her departure.
Polly Hess walked through the
sharp November air, feeling oddly be-
wildered
ut must have been the place, and
her name is Baxter, but Pm afraid
her prices are way beyond me, She
must be dreadfully smart, and 1 sup
pose she has to go out late to thea
ters and things to see the styles, but
she ought to be up by 10 O'Clock.
Maybe she has a good forewoman.
Anyhow, l am coming back. Dear
me, it must be lovely to be able to
buy frocks without figuring ON the
rent the dressmaker makes you help
to pay"
At $50 Roland Baxter strolied into
his mothers drawing room. The tea
things were arranged on convenient
table, but the afternoon lowered. and
guests would probably be few. Mrs.
Baxter closed her magazine.
Anything wrong at the office, Ro-
iandF' she inquired.
"No. Just thought I'd knock off.
It's a hideous afternoon downtown,
and pretty women around tea table
can make you forget the worst wealth
err"
His astute mother was for once non
plused. Roland a willing sacrifice on
the altar of her afternoon tea table!
And then the maid announced Miss
Hess.
she laid down her magazine. 81 won
der what charity she represents"
Polly Hess paused, bewildered, in
the doorway. Then, with laugh
tinged with dismay and just little
hysteria, she cried:
"Oh, now I know there is some
thing wrong. Please, please forgive
me. I've made such dreadful mis-
take"
Mrs. Baxter stood midway between
Ter chair and her flushed guest
Perhaps if you would explain
Yes. do let me explain. was
looking for a dressmaker, and Mrs.
Graves7-
Mrs Graves! Do not say another
word. 1 can say it for you. Mrs.
uraves admired a new frock l was
showing her yesterday. She asked me
Ior the address of my dressmaker.
lou asked her about dressmaker,
ana she gave you my address when
she thought she was giving you the
uressmaker's. That's just like her."
Ihe two women laughed in concert
anu then suddenly paused. Both had
caught the rumble Of masculine laugh
uer and realized that Roland had risen
anu was standing, altogether expect
aut IN attitude and expression.
My son, Miss Do tell me your
nane and stop for cup Of tea,- muir
@ured Mrs. Baxter, eager to relieve
,le eirrs embarrassment. "Miss Hess?
Wy son, Roland, light the alcohol
ptoVe and ring for some of that straw
Jerry jam you love-"
Mrs. Baxter meant only to undo the
iiSchlet wrought by her voluble and
-. a'ccurate friend, but in a few min
Ises she was sincerely interested In
er II, charming if unexpected guest
,hey mad mutual friends In Denver,
n ,lu Folly's great-grandfather and Mrs.
DaAteFs great-uncle had fought IN the
regiment during the war Of 1912.
~ happened that Roland Baxter
h, as just wondering whether the am