The Cairo bulletin., 1910-05-23
HIS ASSISTED
CALL

Jillngs has constitutional. In
grained and deepseated aversion to
making formal calls. III 1t were sug
gested to him, for instance. that he
drop In and see the Smiths. he would
do so delightedly but mention the
fact that 1t is time for him to pay a
dinner or dance call and he gathers
himself together and runs like the ira
ditional rabbit.
1t was just the other night that jill
lings and Rose, the girl he likes best.
while out for moonlight stroll.
passed large apartment building
which Filings recognized. He whis-
tied mournfully.
"Jove," he said. I'D forgotten all
about that! Some friends OF mine.
the Bankers. live here and 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 paja your
dinner call? Go. pay 1t now and I'll
sit on the curbstone and wait"
mo" said Filings. virtuously, that
wouldn't be polite. refuse to leave
you,"
Then Rose grabbed his sleeve excl
tedly and halted him. 'Listenl" she
said 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" Filings ad-
mitted, 'but will you kindly suggest
how am to ascertain If the Bankers
are at home? Am to call up THE
speaking tube and ask Barker II he's
in, murmuring my CONSERVATION II he
replies that he Is? or would 1t be bet
ter 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 | come in I'll
call up the tube and II anyone angwers
Ill ask IL they cf-l tell me II the Mont
morency Browns live anywhere in We
building OF course they don't and
I'll apologize and Wen fee. II they
don't answer In, goes your calling
card" b. ~ Ak
Say, you're simply wonderful jill
lings said, admiringlyqg"Yo 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. II think"
she murmured, this is perfectly
lovely adventure. Nobodys feelings
will be hurt, no harm will be done,
you escape call and yet the Bark.
ers 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 couple
entered
why, hello. Jillings" cried the
newcomer
Hello Barker!" said Filings, cho-
kingly. Good evening. Mrs. Barker!"
"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 II was
then that Filings took the plunge.
NO" he said, firmly. II had Just
come In This young lady was ahead
of me at your bell" He surveyed
Rose with the polite and admiring
aloofness of stranger viewing a
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 Bankers. Il must have made a
| mistake in the NUMBER was trying
to see II 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
| fioated out of the door. leaving Jilltngs
! to his friends and his fate.
He had an awful evening and now
the Bankers tell everyone that Filings
certainly is on the verge OF nervous
breakdown. HE called on us recent
ly," they say, "and really his CONVEX.
satIon was scarcely coherent
In 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
have managed it better somehow, and
| that's why Jillings gets mad and says
| women are illogical.
/
nj