The Prescott daily news., 1910-05-14
HIS ASSISTED
 CALL

o'iiNu anu utep-SedI6u aversion 10 making formal calls If it were sug gested to him, for instance, that he drop in and see the Smiths, he would do so delightedly-but mention the Tact that it is time for him to pay dinner or dance call and he gathers himself together and runs like the tra- ditional rabbit
 It was just the other night that Jill liDgs and Rose, the girl he likes best. While out for moonlight stroll passed a large apartment building which Jillings recognized He whis- tied mournfully
 "Jove!" he said. I'd forgotten all about that! Cv--c I. -'-'r of mine. the Bankers, live Lcrc and l went to a large dinner party they gave fully three months ago I've never been near since"
 Archibald Jillings." cried the young woman in horror. Do you mean to say you've never paid your dinner call? Go. pay it now-and I'll sit on the curbstone and wait"
 %'Ot obiN oiiiihSo, VII lHdt wouldn't be polite refuse to leave you,"
 Then Rose grabbed his sleeve exci- tedly and halted him. "Listen" she sad Il have perfectly splendid plan You ought to be thankful you have intelligent friends to think for you. Maybe they're not at home and you can just leave your card in their letter box and do your duty without any distraction to yourself or inter ruption of our walk"
 That sounds pleasant" ,Iillings ad- mitted, but will you kindly suggest how l am to ascertain if the Bankers are at home? Am 1 to call up the speaking tube and ask Barker if he's in, murmuring my consternation if he replies that he is? Or would it be bet fer to ascend the fire escape and look in at the parlor window?"
 Don't be silly" said the young woman "Of course. they know your voice. That's where 1 come in I'll call up the tube and if anyone answers I'll ask if they can tell me if the Mont. morency Browns live anywhere in the building, Of course they don't and I'll apologize and we'll flee If they don't answer in goes your calling card"
 Say, you're simply wonderful" Jil. lings said. admiringly. You ought to be in the diplomatic service. Do you really think we could manage it?"
 For answer she led the way into the apartment house entrance. "I think" she murmured, this is perfectly lovely adventure. Nobodys feelings will be hurt. no harm will be done, you escape a call and yet the Bark CTS will think you are perfect gen tleman. Here goes!"
 She rang the bell and inclined her ear to the speaking tube and just then the outer door opened and a couple entered
 Why. hello. Jillings," cried tbe newcomer N
 Hello Barker" said Jillings, cho- kingly Good evening. Mrs BGrker!"
 How fortunate we should have ar rived just when we did!" cried Mrs Barker You hadn't had time to find we were out, had your
 She eyed the young woman at the speaking tube with curiosity It was then that Jillings took the plunge No" be said, firmly. 'I had just come in This young lady was ahead of me at your bell" He surveyed Rose with the polite and admiring aloofness of a stranger viewing pretty girl for the first time.
 Then Rose grandly fell in line She accorded Jillings merely the faintest flicker of an eyelash I'm hunting for the Montmorency Browns" she told the Barkers "I must have made mistake in the number-I was trying to see if anyone in the building knew if they lived here"
 There's nobody named Brown in the building" said Barker.
 "Really?" murmured Rose. Thank you so much. Pardon me for troubling you"
 With slight bow and smile she floated out of the door, leaving Jillings to his friends and his fate.
 He had an awful evening and now the Bankers tell everyone that Jillings certainly Is on the verge of nervous breakdown He called on us recent ly." they say. "and really his conver- satiop was scarcely coherent"
 Tn time Rose may relent toward him, but at present she is sternly grilling him for allowing her to go home alone She says Jillings should