The Prescott daily news., 1910-05-09
HIS ASSISTED
 CALL

making formal calls. If 1t were sug. gested to him, for instance that ha drop In and see the Smiths. he would do so delightedly-butm mention the tact that 1t Is time for him to nav q dinner or dance call and he gathers himself together and runs like inc ira. ditional rabbit.
 It was just the other night that Til. lngs and Rose, the girl he likes best while out for a moonlight stroll passed a large apartment building which Jillings 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 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"
 "No," said Jillings, virtuously. that wouldn't be polite. l refuse to leave you!"
 Ihen Rose grabbed his sleeve exci- tedly and halted him. "Listen!" she sad, T 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" Jillings ad- mitted, but will you kindly suggest how l am to ascertain if the Bankers are at home? Am l 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 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 l 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" Jill 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. Nobody's feelings will be hurt. no harm w be done, you escape a call and yei tic Bark CTS will think you are a perfect gen. tleman. Here goes!"
 She rang the bell and ir lined her ear to the speaking tube arl just then the outer door opened and a couple entered.
 "Why. hello, Jillings!" cried the newcomer
 Hello, Barker!" said Jillings, 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 you?"
 She eyed the young woman at the speaking tube with curiosity. It was then that Jillings took the plunge. No" be said, firmly. T 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 a pretty girl for the first time.
 Then Rose grandly fell in line. She accorded Jllings merely the faintest flicker of an eyelash I'm hunting for the Montmorency Browns" she told the Barkers. T must have made a mistake in the number-1 was trying to see if anyone in the building knew if they lived here"
 "There's nobody named Brown in ;he building" said Barker
 Really" murmured Rose. Thank you so much. Pardon me for troubling you
 With d slight bow and smile she noated out of the door, leaving Jillings to his friends and his fate
 He had an awful evening and now the Barkers tell everyone that Jillings certainly is on the verge of nervous breakdown He called on us recent ly." they say, and really his conver-
 .;..,, ,,.oe scorcaiv 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 hn.o rannnond if hetter somehow. and