Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-02-09

DO sure Helen mao not NaNoIeu III Hct
reluctant promise TO wear H.
Now be ready promptly" she argued.
MIR. Stevens will come by in the car for
you at a.
Helen had spread a sheet on the floor
before the dresser to protect the gown
N.u..u sne Sas paIting It on, With shin
ing eyes she stood there while Della
hooked 1t up.
MY. you do look pretty tonight.
ma'am," said Della. admiringly. You
ought always to wear low neck-it GER
tainly does suit YOU"
And Helen. looking at the lovely re-
Election in the glass. promised herself
that in the future she would wear low
neck gowns.
A moment later the telephone rang.
That's Mr.. stevens. Answer It, Della
ask him to come up"
The name didn't sound like Stevens"
said Della, coming back from the phone.
"oh, that telephone boy never gets a
name right"
But when Della has ushered the gen
tleman" into the front room and Helen
went in to greet him she saw tall, we'll
groomed man-but is was not Mr.. Ste
vens.
This is Mr.. Trayis"-ln a deep pleas
ant voice. Mr.. Stevens is on the re-
ception committee and found at the last
moment he couldn't come. SO I'm to act
as a substitute" Then, with charming
smile, 'if may"
"oh, I hope this hasn't inconvieienced
you." stammered Helen, hardly knowing
what TO say.
ON the contrary. feel am most
fortunate"
His very case OF manner seemed to
make Helen's confusion only the more
marked. She hated herself for being 50
easily embarrassed, and was furious at
the quick color that came to her face.
He had o taxicab waiting. and they
were soon whirled to the big hotel. where
the dinner was to be held. The banquet
hall had been decorated for the ocea-
sion, and an orchestra was playing in
palm-screened corner.
Helen was surprised TO find that their
seats were at tho speakers table. she
was between Mr.. Stevens and Mr.. Travis,
with Mrs. Stevens on the ether side Of
her husband.
The principal guest OF honor. we'll
known politician and after-diner speaker.
was just acros from Helen. and she was
uneomfortabiy conscious Of his keen. ad-
miring gaze
You look beautiful" Mrs. Stevens had
whispered when she entered What did
tell you, You're positively dazzling"
Mr.. Stevens too had murInured word
OF praise. And AIR. Travis attention and
admiration was most marked. To be
admired. to be made to feel that she
was still young and beautiful. to be the
most attractive woman at a dinner at
which there was so many others-to
Helen It was all a new and wonderful
sensation. The music, the wine, the ad-
miration-she was a-thrin with II ALL
Yet she was painfully conscious OF her
low-cut gown Every moment she seemed
to feel the baroness Of her neck and arms.
and it was this that kept her cheeks
flushed. which only added to her charm.
You're not eating a thing" said Mr..
Travis.
'-oh. I'm too excited to eat" then I'm
pulsirely. Il haven't been out very much
lately-and this is quite an event for me- :"
You're making It an event for me-"
in his low deep voice.
Helen glanced up quickly and then as
quickly dropped her eyes Should he have
said that? And should he look at her with
such open admiration
Here a man mounted a chair and re-
qaested that eyeryo2e Be still and face