Audubon County journal., 1911-05-18
HIS SOCIAL,
GUIDE 81:

ter?" asked the caller. II thought you
were receiving today. Why didn't the
maid tell He you were ill?"
I'm not i'll. Georgia, and l heartily
wish | wasn't in" came Amy's despond-
ent voice from the depths of the sofa
pillows.
well, If you don't wish to see me.
Of course
"Oh. I'm always glad to see you"
Amy raised herself on her elbow and
then sank back onto the couch with an
exaggerated air Of weakness. Pm only
wilted. that's all. I'm so completely
covered with chagrin that can't rise.
With that she rose and said dramatic
ally: If some kind fate had taken me
out today would not have been home
to make complete idiot of N.Y.
SELF"
II suppose you know what you are
talking about" remarked Georgia,
"but you leave me in the dark"
"Wait till you hear the story and
then you will cease to wonder at my
present abject condition.
about ten days ago." related Amy.
II received letter from my cousin,
Billy Spencer. telling me that friend
OF his, Mr.. Gilmore, was in Chicago
studying law, and he asked me to be
nice to him. He's going along on
his own account Billy wrote, for his
father hasn't any sympathy with his
legal ambitions. But he's sure to
make good. for he's a fne, bright fel-
low. and his only fault is q little shy
ness. He needs bringing, out and
you're the one to do It, Amy
"Of course. that nattered me, and I
determined to become young Gilmore's
social guide. philosopher and friend.
[ sent him note telling him that I
was at home Fridays, afternoon and
evening. l asked him to call very
soon, as considered any close friend
Of Cousin Billy's friend of mine."
Surely. that was very nice," COM
mented Georgia.
"Yes. was trying to be nice to
tim" sighed Amy well, he came
this afternoon. When we had spoken
of Cousin Billy and 1 had asked him
how he liked Chicago there came a
pause that l knew could only be filed
with tea. so 1 told our maid, Helga, to
bring some at once
Do you take cream and sugar?' I
inquired.
"'No, prefer 1t straight he said
30 jauntily that for happy moment
I congratulated myself that l had sue.
ceeded in putting him at his ease. He
took one swallow from the cup l gave
him and then to his horror and mine 1t
crashed to the floor.
while he choked and sputtered, l
suddenly became conscious of horri-
BILE burning sensation on my lips, to
which had just lifted my cup when
the crash came.
It's ginger l cried.
YES he answered, with tears in
his eyes.
cat that moment Helga reappeared
and announced calmly that she
thought she had brought in the wrong
teapot Then knew l had given poor
Mr.. Gilmore some of my grandmoth-
er's hot ginger brew which she occa-
sionally takes in small but concen-
trated doses for her cold
II don't know which was the more
embarrassed, he or I, while Helga
picked up the fragments Of the cup
and mopped the floor / tried to ex-
plain laughingly how the ginger hap
pened to be substituted for the tea,
but evidently the humor Of the situa-
tion did not strike him, for he said,
very solemnly. I'm extremely sorry
about the cup
81 was gayly assuring him that one
cup more or less didn't in the least
matter, when to my astonishment and
despair, Helga rose from the floor and
said: Miss Amy, you make big mis-
take. Your mudder have told me the
cups cost very much. She say must
be very careful. now tell her l have
not break this cup. Then she sailed
from the room with righteous air."
What did you do?"
Il said with a weak effort at light
ness, Isn't she droll? and then I
laughed. But there was no response
to my merriment. My caller sat still
and solemn and could think of moth
ing in the world to say.
"At last in desperation / asked him
II he noticed the odor Of gasoline in
the room.
"It seems to me very strong in
here, said. My mother will insist on
cleaning the curtains with the stuff,
but detest IT.
"He rose with stiff new dignity
and said, I'm afraid it's my neoktie
that offends you. cleaned 1t with
gasoline this morning. Goodby.'
IT was so overcome that could only
humble, 'Goodby' in my turn. Then
he walked out of the room, leaving me
In the state of collapse in which you
found me few minutes ago."
"Theres only one consolation about
that tragic tale" said Georgia "He's
! evidently the kind of serious minded
young man who'll make his way with.
out needing much help from anybody -