Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-03-16
LUCILE'S
DIARY

lung Mary Townsend | decided to give
bridge luncheon in her honor.
We needn't have caterer" I said
TO mother, who, as usual, objected on
the score of expense. to my entertain
ing. Il wish to have just a quiet, in
formal little affair and 1 really think
that Cousin Fannie's delicious cooking
is more elegant than anything we
could get from caterer"
But Fannie intended going out to
your Uncle Johns this week." protest
ed mother. Il suppose could get up
the lunch myself"
Indeed, you couldn't" L replied. 81
want you to be dressed in your gray
satin and help me receive and enter
tain the guests, as good form dictates
tnat mother should. Cousin Fannie
won In the least mind postponing her
WISH to the farm. She wouldn't be so
selfish as to go when we need her so
much at home. would you, dear Cou-
Sin Fannie?" l asked, as she entered
the room where mother and were
talking.
Although mother protested that she
must not change her plans for us,
Cousin Fannie, after l had told her
how much | disliked having mother
cook-for it always makes her SO I'M
becomingly hot and f1ustered-said she
would give up her trip to Uncle Johns
place for the present.
l really felt that had done her
good turn by inducing her to stay at
home, for it must be dreary in the
country now.
AS soon as had set the day for the
party and had telephoned my invita-
lions l went out to Frances Mars
den's, for in looking over the linen for
the luncheon a happy idea had oc-
Cured to me-
Il happen to remember" l said to
Frances, that you have some hand
some napkins, which match our tulip
pattern tablecloth l wonder if you will
lend them to me for a little bridge
luncheon | am going to give for Miss
Van Rensselaer,"
ooh, are you going to entertain for
LIZA oonSu II dllCeS. vi course, YOU
may take the napkins. I'll be glad to
help you in any way can. shall be
so pleased to meet Miss Van Renssa-
laer, for I've heard she is most inter
esting''
| can't understand why Frances
should have been so gauche as to as
sumo that she was to be invited. 1t
was very awkward for me to have to
explain that | was asking only girls.
Her manner of staring at me in cold
surprise did not make it any easier for
me-
But, dear" l said, in conclusion, "if
any one of the girls can't come I'll
II you are married.
That's remarkably kind of you, Lu-
cile," she answered, but now that
think of it I'm quite certain l shall be
engaged on the day Of your luncheon.
Here are the napkins. I'm sure that l
don't have to tell you that am very
choice of my best linen, which was
part of my wedding outfit"
Il shall take the best possible care
of them" rejoined, pleasantly, though
l did think it rather unmannerly of her
to remind me to be careful of things
that I borrowed Poor Frances is oc-
caslonally crude in some of the little
much
Lucille" demonstrated mother when
l showed her the napkins, why did
you get these? Ours are good enough,
even if they don't match the cloth, and
I'm sure that lilly can never iron
these to suit Mrs. Marsden, who is
very fastidious."
Now, mother, please don't borrow
trouble about that. for | shall take all
the responsibility, | said, in the gen.
tie, reassuring tone that I am cultiva-
ting.
Surely you don't think you can iron
them yourself said mother.
Just leave the matter to me-"
smiled in answer.
The morning after the luncheon,
which was completely successful, |
sent the napkins to steam laundry
with fathers shirts and collars. When
they came back Saturday | took them
right over to Frances, who united the
package at once.
why, Lucille, what's this?" she
asked, in Mortified tone. They have
Ink marks on them!"
was much surprised to see ia
TIERS three initials printed in indelible
ink on each napkin.
ooh, dear!" l said How absurd of
those laundry people! never thought
of their doing such thing. How very
annoying!"
Annoying! should say 1t is an
noying," snapped Frances. fairly glar-'
ing at me over the napkins.
She appeared so frightfully upset
that thought she would be better.
alone, SO quickly took my leave. She
scarcely looked up as said good-by.
What mistake 1t is for people to
make such tragedies OF the small mis-
haps of life! think 1t indicates a
narrow nature. 1t certainly shows