The St. Mary banner., 1910-02-12
The Best
Laid Plans
1ARIOTTA- BENDIxA a

1ARIOTTAB BENDIxA a
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Mrs. Tommy Terrell, who gave the
lnner for a bevy Of debutantes, al
vays claims she had nothing at all
i do with the matter; that it all
Mppened so quickly that even had
.he wished to interfere. and she was
" no means sure that she wanted
"a any Intervention on her part
rould have been impossible.
Dinner was over and Reta Benni-
An sat in a cosey nook adjoining
Ae drawing room and idly watched
he black-frocked men stroll in.
from her half.hidden position she
eould see Richard Cardwell, 40 and
lbrid. nervously fitting from group
d group. unmistakably in search of
herself. Cardwell at length caught
dfht Of her, and in a few strides
upuId have been at her side, when
Suddenly, with an impatient grunt.
Y turned, and walked away in the
Erection of the billiard room. Mrs.
Terrell, her hostess, had borne down
d the girl. one hand resting super
l1uSly in the arm of tall, bored
boxing young man, rushing along in
tAe lead and almost dragging her
ncort, who followed helplessly in
ler wake.
FOR heavens sake" she cried,
~take this Britisher of my hands and
Ind him q wife. I've had an acci-
ient and must run. You may safely
resent him to all the kiddies, they've
~ GOT money" she added. and with
y malicious little grimace at him, on
~ dashed.
he two young people stared al
tanately at the precipitate flight Of
0eir hostess and at each other.
xdther spoke for a moment, while
~ amused look on the mans face
Qys way to one Of intent wonder
ns1t k the exquisite beauty Of his
Nmpanjon. His gaze heightened for
~ the embarrassment OF an already
hpossible situation. Finally he man.
- to blurt out, Charming woman,
~ Tom, what?"
Very" she replied, somewhat at
3 los for words herself. "She evi-
Aatly thinks we have met"
We have" he mumbled, "at last.
A IL u{t
y him on the divan and he seated
1nsek beside her, lapsing again into
silence that made her feel young
~ and him rather foolish. Now as
this commenced to SAVIOR little
4 Z Irritation he became more at
ee1e and said, "And so you are to
md me a wife?"
4 believe Mrs Tom rendered me
ne delicate commission. A rich girl
presume you-ah-require." she re-
pned. laughingly using the pointed
M.
Tn a fourth son and fifth
aeel he replied. deprecatingly.
and YOU couldn't love poor
M she asked, banteringly.
-don't-know," he replied, hesi-
nnsiy, with look at her SO sin
g IN its honest admiration that
light in his eyes almost brought
complement to her own. You
lf happen to be rich?" he added,
lighter vein.
No. am very poor,r she replied.
uliy. $50 poor that, while | eat
recurring intervals. l only dine
some good, kind fairy like Mrs.
51m asks me out. Men invite me to
alc restaurants, but, somehow, /
ver seem to go. Do you under
nd!' she added, wistfully.
Ies. he replied, Il understand,
l am very. very glad. From
remarks | infer you are neither
ls1ed nor engaged" he added. the
infection in his tones indicat-
question. Believe me-" he went
DO not ask through idle curios-
and his earnest manner contrast
strongly with his former badinage,
her to reply:
Am not engaged to be married
3et. Why do you ask" And she
wondering at her readiness
3erucipate In what her reason
aar could be nothing but a flirta-