The daily Alaskan., 1908-11-30
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
 Literary Press.

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 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 the dishes and the silver from a cater, CT, but he preferred to buy It. It was a pity he had not allowed himself a little more time for preparations. A week furnished a narrow margin.
 Realizing that no time must be lost Gerald first purchased mahogany dinner table, round and large enough to seat six cozlly. Elated over its ac. QuisItion and congratulatIng himself upon having had the remarkable fore. sight to invite Just the right number to surround 1t, Brabrook attacked the next item on the list with vim bOr- derlng upon enthusiasm.
 I'll ask Madeline Gaylord to help me out" he said to himself confidently and then immediately retracted the decision. No; he must do this thing all himself. Simple as the Nfrair was to be, no woman should have the credit of having engineered it
 With the help of a very afTable clerk Gerald selected a dinner cloth, napkins and appropriate centerpIece. It quite ostoniShed him to find out how really expensive such everyday essentials were. He appreciated now for the first time why brides were supplied with linen chests" as well as trous seauI.
 It must be 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 enjoy ed, and with very conscious pride be ordered hls initials engraved upon each piece.
 Gradually everything upon the list was checked of. and he was free to give his attention to the menu. This being quite in hls line, all arrange ments were soon concluded and left in charge of an expert chef.
 AS master stroke of intormallty, however Gerald decided to serve the dinner himself. To this end be 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 It's polished surface under the damask cloth
 A cut glass cigar holder, punCtilIous- ly placed on the center, represented floral decorations. (He should have American Beauties for the dinner it. self. Madeline liked them,)
 In the midst of sorting out the shln- ing silver into sets of six Gerald was called to the telephone.
 "Hellow he answered "WkS2 Miss Gaylord? Well, send her right up."
 There was no time for trying to un- derstand this most extraordinary hap penlng. Gerald could only conclude that Madeline In an impulse of gener- osity had come over to offer her as- slstance. But Madeline unchaperonedI
 This is awfully good of you, Made line" he said, with warm cordiality, usherlng her in. "I am really in hole over the arrangement of the silver, Do the spoons go here at the right or at the top or''-
 .'Just walt till I get my things off, Gerald, and I'll help you," Madeline interrupted gayly. "oh, isn't 1t going to be fun:'
 NntldAN III a bNN AlAANA AAANAAe Va a%N-@@--@~ ton watched the long coat fall from Madcllne's graceful shoulders.
 "A dreamw be murmured sotto voce.
 Madeline blushed becomingly
 "Wel, you certainly act as if you were in one. Gerald" she commented lightly. "Come, let's set the table, Oh" she broke of, laughing "how awfully funny that cigar holder looks in the center of the table! You certain ly aren't going to have 1t there. This isn't a stag dinner, you know"
 "Oh. that's just a dummy" Gerald answered cnDdescendingly. "There are to be Ameriran Beauties"
 Where gre they?" demanded the mistress of ceremonies.
 "Oh. let's not put them on now They'd wilt" said Gerald whlmsically "And, anyway, they haven't come"
 I'm rrOiN d