The Ordway new era., 1910-05-13
GIVING UP
TO DICK


looking up languidly from the lounge,
Put your wraps on the bed. I've al
ways felt that you and I were kin
dred spirits and now 1 know we are
since you OWNED that was dying to.
see you. By the way, I'm not going
to Agnes party tonight. I've given
up society"
"As befits good church woman dur
Ing Lent. Betty" Margaret returned.
sinking into rocking chair.
I'D almost forgotten 1t is Lent:
Betty confessed. Pumping up pillow
behind her head.
What makes you look so dismal?
Didn't Dick cali last night?" Margaret
asked.
"All his things. even the dear lit
tie cigarette he gave me the first night
we met. I've made into a package to
return to him." declared Betty, tragic
ally. 1T has been such a trying or
deal that simply had to lie down."
Tell me all about it. my DEAR" Mar
garet urged.
Just after Christmas" Betty began.
Il happened to say to Dick-I mean
Mr.. Blount-that l liked CALENDARS
mean a certain calendar. It hap
pened this way: We were going to
the theater and he had to stop at his
office for something. Over his desk
hung a calendar with the picture Of
woman entitled. The Girl Love.
OF course 1t was an idealized subject
and really she wasn't in the least pref
ty, but just to show that l was not
Jealous and to show also that took
some interest in Mr.. Blount's sur
roundings I said. What a perfectly
beautiful calendar!
He seemed quite pleased with my
admiration and the next night he
brought the calendar to me.
"Well. John knight called the next
evening. When he saw the calendar
he said at once that he had beauty.
which he would bring to hang along.
side It. He said he was glad to know
liked calendars. because he liked
them. too. You know. Margaret. |
never can bear to hurt another's feel
ings. 80 I permitted John to believe
that I longed to own his calendar also.
Perhaps l may have added. when he
rather preferred the subject Of 1t to
the other.
Bert Waldron called Sunday after
noon. He said he didn't know was
fond Of calendars. He added that he
had two beauties In his office which
he'd send up on Monday. A messenger
boy brought them next day. together
with a lovely big bouquet OF violets.
Yesterday was Monday. wasn't It?
Oh. It seems ages ago. Well. Of course
! hung Bert's calendars beside the
other two.
shortly nfterward Prof. Morton
dropped In with piece OF music
which he promised me. When he saw
the calendars he said II he had known
I cared SO much for such things he
would have sent mo the one In his
studio. which he greatly priced be-
cause It reminded him Of me. What
could I say but that l should be de-
lighted to own the calendar?
I'VE were Just hanging 1t over my
desk last night when Mr.. Blount
called. You will never believe how
dreadfuliy he acted. was glad the
professor could remain only few
minutcs-he was on his way to play
at n recital. After he had gone. Mr..
Dlount said he'd like to punch that
old FOOLS head He went on to say
that he didn't know had n craze for
calendars or he'd have sent me n hun.
drcd. lie said that after all the nd.
miratiun I had wasted on his horrid
calendar and the interest I had taken
the trouble to show In his business!
II will always be to my credit that
smiled swectly and amiably while he
was making his unkind remarks. by
way Of changing the subjec, ! asked
him II he didn't think Bert's violets
were lovely.
"I never before realized how rude
MFR. R,ount is When I asked him that
innocent question. he sprung TO his
feet and, still with calendars on his
mind. positively roared out that his
Office boy had calendar which doubt.
less I would be pleased to add to my
collection and he would send It up.
Then he went away without even hold.
Ing my hand for the briefest moment.
"The calendar came little while
ayo, a picture OF dreadful-looking
creature called The Coquette.' I'm
sure I can't imagine why MIR. Blount
should have thought I'd like to add
that to my collection. As n matter Of
fact. It's burning up in the furnace
with the other calendars and all my
dreams.
Life Is over for me. Margaret.
shall never speak to MIR. Blount
again"
please. Miss Betty. it's Mr.. Blount
calling you on the phone." interposed
a white.capped maid at this moment.
Betty sprung to her feet and flew
out Of the room. When she returned