The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-12-10
The Best
Laid Plans
By
OA-RE.OErA BErTDIxA

Mrs. Tommy Terrell, who gave the
dinner tor bevy Of debutantes, al
ways claims she had nothing at all
to do with the matter; that 1t all
happened 30 quickly that even had
she wished to interfere, and she was
BY no means sure that she wanted
TO, any Intervention on her part
would have been impossible.
Dinner was over and Reta Benni-
son sat In . cosey nook adjoining
the drawing room and idly watched
the biack-frocked men stroll in.
From her half-hidden position she
could see Richard Cardwell, 40 and
Norid. neryously fitting from group
to group, Enthusiastically in search Of
herself. Cardwell at length caught
sight Of her. and in few strides
would have been at her side, when
suddenly, with an impatient grunt,
he turned, and walked away in the
direction of the billiard room. Mrs.
Terrell, her hostess, had borne down
on the girl. one hand resting super.
huously In the arm OF tall, bored
Rocking young man, rushing along in
the lead and almost dragging her
escort, who followed helplessly in
her wake.
For heavens sake,s she cried,
take this Britisher of my hands and
find him a wife. I've had an acct
dent and must run. You may safely
present him to all the kiddies, they've
all got money" she added, and with
malicious little grimace at him, of
she dashed.
The two young people stared al
ternately at the precipitate flight of
their hostess and at each other.
Neither spoke for a moment, while
the amused look on the mans face
gave way to one of intent wonder
ment at the exquisite beauty OF his
companion. His gaze heightened for
her the embarrassment of an already
impossible situation. Finally he man
aged to blurt out, Charming woman,
Mrs. Tom. what?"
Very" she replied, somewhat at
loss for words herself. "She evil
IDENTIFY thinks we have met"
1--WE have" he mumbled, Eat last.
May sit DOWN." She made room
for him ON the divan and he seated
himself beside her, lapsing again into
o silence that made her feel young
lsh and him rather foolish. Now as
all this commenced to SAVIOR little
Of Irritation ne became more at
ease and said, "And so you are to
md me q wife?"
II believe Mrs. Tom rendered me
the delicate commission. A rich girl
I presume you-ah-require," she re-
piled. laughingly using the pointed
verb.
I'm fourth son and fifth
Wheel he replied. deprecatingly.
And you couldn't love poor
giri?' she asked, banteringly.
T-don't-know," he replied. hest
tatingiy. with look at her 50 sin
cere in Its honest admiration that
the light in his eyes almost brought
its complement to her own. "You
don't happen to be rich?" he added.
In q lighter vein.
Mo. ! am very poor" she replied.
ruefully. $50 poor that. while eat
at recurring intervals. only dine
when some good, kind fairy like Mrs.
Tom asks me out. Men invite me to
public restaurants. hut, somehow, q
never seem to go. Do you under
stand?" she added, wistfully.
~Yes," ne replied, 81 understand,
and ] am very, very glad. From
your remarks infer you are neither
marrrded nor engaged" he added. the
rising infection in his tones indicat-
ing question. Believe me-" he went
on, I do not ask through idle curios-
fly" and his earnest manner contrast
ing strongly with his former badinage.
led her to reply:
Il am not engaged to be married.
a. yet. Why do you ask?" And she
fenced. wondering at her readiness
TO participate in what her reason
tod her could be nothing but fiifta-
ton.
do you believe in love at first
sight he asked.
mo" she replied in too evident
attempt to ward of his insistent at
tack.
'.And yet I loved the sight OF ycu
from the FIRST he said, vainly at.
tempting to bring her eyes into align
ment with his own.
'tBut you don't even know my
name" she replied. weakly.
~Wfl1 you tell II me?"
She waited moment. and then