The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-23
Their Good
Excuse

"l'een invited" asked Allen. nc
looking up from his paper.
/ mo, the invitations aren't out yet.
"Well, suppose we'll be asked, al
right"
YES. that's the trouble"
TROUBLE" echoed Allen. layinl
down the paper.
Yes. trouble. You know, Tom,
just can't bear those stiff. tiresom
parties Mrs. Matheson is always Civ
ing. The last time We went to one ",
both declared that we'd never go to an
other"
ITS simple enough to send regrets
isn't IT."
Without any reason and cause al
old friend and neighbor to be offended
for life?"
Then send an excuse. Say that In
ill or that your Angora cat is under
the doctors care because of an attack
of the pip"
Don't be silly. Tom. This is a Sc
rious matter. The Mathesons always
know everything that goes on in this
house. How could they live right
across the street and not know wheth
er was telling the truth or not II
said you were Ill? No. we've got to
have some real reason for declining"
I'VE might run out OF town." sug
gested Allen. "The fishing Is fine"
Fishing" Mrs. Allen gave her hus
band a whitening glance. when you
feel impelled to 20 fishing. Tom. please
leave me at home. I've had enough OF
leaky boats. wet feet and blisterine
sunburn."
well. We might 20 to some other
city for little change"
I'm not prepared to go away from
home. My clothes aren't in order and
| have a drcssmaker coming next
week. | think we'd better just invite
some people to dinner the evening of
the card party. suppose we ask the
Doolittlcs?"
"Do You think" inquired Allen, that
an evening with HE Doolittles will ho
any more enlivcning than party at
the Mathcscns? Have I got to listen
for three hours to Doolittles maundcr-
ing talk about his one h ting cypcdi.
tion to the Maine woods and to Mrs
Doolittle's bromide "reminiscences of
her single trip to Paris? Why the boo.
Titles, my dear?
You know very well that we owe
them some hospitality. | think Mrs.
Doolittle is quite interesting and that
story Mr.. Doolittle tells about the
moose he missed is really exciting"
Yes, the first twenty times you hear
1t. After two dozen rcpetitions my hair
has ceased to stand on end at the crit.
ical moments"
well. anyway, I like them"
mo accounting for tastes, my dear.
II asking tho DOOlittles to dinner will
satisfy a soul craving of yours, ask
them by all means. Never mind me-"
Don't be ridiculous, Tom. You
know I'm not crazy over them, but as
long as we have to have some one, I
think we may as well have them"
"Oh. very WE'LL" replied Allen.
When he left the house a few min.
ntes later he dropped note OF invi.
lation into the nearest post box and
srlnned
Three days later he asked his wife:
Are the Doolittlcs coming?"
Yes. Mrs. Doolittle telephoned an
acceptance. She has had
omo of her Paris photographs en-.
arged and she's going TO bring them
'vcr to show u.s."
'lias Dooittlc had any photographs
aiken of his moose story"
Tom, you ought to be ashamed"
Il am, my dear: but I'd rather be
sham"d than hear that story again. |
~ tho way, did you remember to
end your regrets to Mrs. Matheson?"
mo"
"Why not?"
We'll. it's awfully strange, Tom, and
cant understand It at all-we're not
lvifed by the Mathcsons."
Not invited! And the sacrifice on
he Doolittle altar is all for nothing?"
but can't see why they didn't in
tie us" persisted Mrs. Allen.
The night Of the party after the boo.
tiles had taken leave. Mrs. Allen
ized dolefully from her front win
,ws. "Just look how gay 1t is over
ere. Tom" she said. after our dull
'ening the lights and laughter are
ally alluring. It appears to be an
usually lively affair. honestly can
It see why we weren't asked"
We weren't; that's the main thing
be thankful for"
I'm not bit thankful. I'm greatly
Why, | thought you never wanted
go there again
L didn't, but don't like TO be left
t and yen know yourself, Tom, the
'olittles are the worst bores among
r acquaintances | don't see why
u insisted on having them"
Why, my dear, | never"
Now, don't dsny Il, Tom. You said
me to have them by all means.
ose Were your exact words. Look,
I'VE begun to dance over there.