The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-09-19
Ruth's
I'll Humor

friend, ElOlse Nixon, visiting her last
week, and I decided to entertain for
her.
"That will be delightful, Lucille"
said Ruth, when I spoke to her about
1t. What kind of an affair will you
have?"
ooh, just a nice party" I answered.
"You must be sure to keep Friday eve.
ming for me-"
l was just making out my invitation
list when Arthur Knight phoned me
that he had theater tickets for Friday
evening and asked If l could go.
eyes. indeed, l could 60" l answer.
ed. Then / told him that I was giving
a party for Eloise Nixon SATURDAY. eve.
ming. Not having sent out my invita-.
lions, it was, of course, a very easy
matter to change the date of my
party. 1 was rather glad to have 1t
a day later so that mother and Cousin
Fannie would have a little more time
to do the necessary baking, for I had
determined to save a caterers bill by
having simple, homemade refresh.
ments.
Father talked to me quite seriously
at the beginning of this year about try.
ing to avoid extravaganza, so I intend
to cut down expenses in every way
coffee, salad, rolls, cake and ice cream
would be as acceptable to my guests
as a more elaborate supper served by
a caterer, and she said with a sigh
that she supposed it would.
Mother has a dreadful habit OF sigh.
ing. Sometimes it gets on my nerves
awfully, but l always try to be pa,
tient with my dear mother.
Friday l went down town to get a
fresh pair Of white gloves and a new
hair ornament to wear to the thea.
ter. l met Ruth and Miss Nixon In
the store.
why" asked Ruth, laughingly
"aren't you at home getting ready for
your party?"
ooh, the party is coming on nicely
l returned.
well, you must be a good man
ager, Lucille" she said. "Now, if
were giving a party tonight 1 should
be at home running from one room to
another seeing about everything."
"But, you know, it's not tonight"
reminded her.
"Why, Lucille, you told us distinct.
ly that the party was to be here Fri.
day night" insisted Ruth.
well, at first I did intend to have
it tonight" l explained, "but some
thing came up that made it inconveni
ent, so l sent out the invitations for
tomorrow night. 1 thought, of course
you knew"
"You didn't notify u.s." Ruth de-
clared.
Dear me, didn't I? How needless
of me! You know, Ruth, when one
is in such a society whirl as l am all
the time one will occasionally forget
some little thing. You must for
give me. dear"
Ruth looked almost sour as l parted
with them and hurried on. Her friends
face wore an amusing expression Of
justification, she being evidently a
girl of small social experience.
Saturday evening, when Ruth and
her friend came into the drawing
room and saw the card table, Ruth
asked: you're not going to have
bridge, are you?'
YES, of course" I replied.
"Eloise doesn't play BRIDGE" an
nounced Ruth, solemnly.
Doesn't play bridge! Surely Ruth
is Joking" I said, turning to Miss
Nixon.
mo, I don't play she answered
"But it doesn't matter at all. I car
watch the games"
I'm very sorry indeed that yor
don't play" l said. 1T never occurred
to me that there was anyone in so
ciety nowadays who divn't know
bridge. You will certainly have tt
learn"
Other guests began to Arrive, anl
in a few moments every one ex
cept Miss Nixon was deep in bridge
She wandered about among the table!
a little, looking SO lost and forlor1
that l was really glad when she start
ed to read a magazine.
When all the guests but she ant
Miss Nixon had gone Ruth drew me-
aside and said: "It may interest yo,
to know that Eloise and l were in
vited to the theater tonight and tina
we had to withdraw our %acceptanc,
when we learned that your party wal
to be this evening. l didn't tell you
when l saw you yesterday, because
thought it might make you uncomfort
able. But l now think you ought t,
know it.
IF you had only told me yesterda,
that you were to have bridge, Elois,
might have been spared this extremel,
gay evening. OF course, I'm great,
obliged to you for entertaining in he
honor"
1 was SO astonished at this rude out
burst of sarcasm that l made no reply
Indeed, I should regret having take1
the trouble to do anything for Rutl
and her friend were it not for the fac
that the party, which was really a dis
tinct success Notwithstanding Ruth
Ill humor, has cleared off a great man
of my social obligations.
Nlk,s -k>x NH.A> N-.-II .