The Press., 1909-01-13

 CT, but he preferred to buy 1t. 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 a mahogany dinner table, round and large enough to seat six cozily. 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 a vim bor- dering upon enthusiasm.
 ''I1l ask Madeline Gaylord to help ne out" he said to himself confidently and then immediately retracted the decision. No; he must do this thing all himself. Simple as the affair was to be, no woman should have the credit of having engineered 1t.
 With the help of a very affable clerk Gerald selected a dinner cloth, napkins and appropriate centerpiece. It quite astonished him to find out how really expensive such everyday essentials were. He appreciated now for the first time why brides were supplied with '1inen chests' as we'll as trous- seaux.
 It must be a great help to a young husband not to have to buy a lot of such things all at once. The purchase of the silver Gerald thoroughly enjoy ed, and with very conscious pride he ordered his 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 his line, all arrange ments were soon concluded and left in charge of an expert chef.
 AS a master stroke of informality, 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 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.l
 In the midst of sorting out the shin ing silver into sets of six Gerald was called to the telephone.
 "HelloP' he answered. "Who? Miss Gaylord2 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 over to offer her as- sistance. But Madeline unchaperoned!
 '"This is awfully good of you, Made line" he said, with warm cordiality, ushering her in. q am really in hole over the arrangement of the silver. Do the spoons go here at the right or at the top or''-
 "Just wait till get my things ofr, Gerald, and I'll help you," Madeline interrupted gayly. "Oh, isn't it going to be fun?'
 Gerald in bewilderment of admira- L4Ou WdLCuGO IIe lOuS COdL 4GOAu Madeline's graceful shoulders.
 "A dreamr' he murmured sotto ROce.
 Madeline hlushed 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 awfully funny that cigar holder looks in the center of the tablet You certain W aren't going to have 1t there. This isn't stag dinner, you know"
 "Oh, that's just a dummy" Gerald answered condescendingly. "There are Co be American Beauties"
 "Where are they?" demanded the mistress of ceremonies. ....
 "Oh, let's not put them on now They'd wilt" said Gerald whimsieally "And, anyway. they haven't come
 'SThen for the time being Pm going 20 use these Pm wearing, ?" Madeline  Gerald, entirely forgetful of the un- shared glory that he had coveted, Ttood watching Madeline as she deftly distributed the silver on the table. Her small, shapely hands seemed fairly Do twinkle.
 Come, Gerald; make yourself use tul," Madeline chided laughingly as she looked up suddenly and became conscious of his attitude of idle admi- ration. Gerald obeyed. "I hope the others won't get here be- lore we're ready" she added excitedly. Wasn't 1t lucky happened to come a little earlyf You see, Mrs Sinclair was delayed by"-
 But she got no further with her ex- Olanation.
 Gerald's belated gasp of +The oth- .rsw startled her into abrupt silence. She stood staring at him in painful .mbarrassment
 Tt isn't possible" she finally man. .ged to ask him. that I've come on he wrong evening?'
 Gerald made a heroic effort to put | at her ease. Of course it was Ter mistake
 "WelI. this was just intended for a