The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-08-29

friend, Eloise Nixon, visiting her last
week, and | decided to entertain for
her.
That will be delightful, Lucille"
said Ruth, when l spoke to her abous
it. What kind of an affair will IoU
have?"
"Oh, just a nice party l 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.
yes. indeed, l could CO., l answer
ed. Then l told him that l was giving
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. l was rather glad to have 1t
a day later so that mother and Cousin
Fannie would have little more time
TO do the necessary baking, for I had
determined to save a caterers BIN 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 | intend
to cut down expenses in every way
can. | told mother that | knew good
coffee, salad, rolls, cake and ice cream
would be as acceptable to my guests
as a more elaborate supper served by.
caterer, and she said with sigh
that she supposed it would.
Mother has a dreadful habit OF sigh
ing. Sometimes 1t gets on my nerves
awfully. but l always try to be pa
tient with my dear mother.
Friday | went down town to get a
fresh pair of white gloves and new
hair ornament to wear to the thea
ter. met Ruth and Miss Nixon in
the store.
Why" asked Ruth, laughingly,
aren't you at home getting ready for
your party?"
oh, the party is coming on nicely"
returned.
We'll, you must be a good man
ager. Lucille" she said Now, If
were giving party tonight l should
be at home running from one room to
another seeing about everything"
But, you know, it's not tonight" l
Teminded her.
why, Lucille, you told US distinct
ly that the party was to be here Fri
day night insisted Ruth.
We'll, at first I did intend to have
it tonight" I explained, but some
thing came up that made it inconveni-
ent, so | sent out the invitations for
tomorrow night. l thought, of course,
you knew"
You didn't notify us, Ruth de-
clared.
Dear me, didn't l? 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
mystification, 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" | replied
/ "Eloise doesn't play bridge" an
nounced Ruth, solemnly
Doesn't play bridge, Surely Ruth
/ is Joking" I said, turning to Miss
! Nixon.
NO, I don't play" she answered.
But it doesn't matter at all. l can
watch the games"
I'm very sorry indeed that you
don't play" I said. 1t never occurred
to me that there was anyone in so
ciety nowadays who didn't know
bridge You will certainly have to
learn"
Other guests began to arrive, and
/ in a few moments every one ex-
/ cept Miss Nixon was deep in bridge.
/ She wandered about among the tables
a little, looking so lost and forlorn
that l was really glad when she start
ed to read a magazine
When all the guests but she and
/ Miss Nixon had gone Ruth drew me
aside and said: 1T may interest you
/ TO know that Eloise and | were in
vited TO the theater tonight and that
We had to withdraw our acceptance
when We learned that your party was
to be this evening | didn't tell you
when | saw you yesterday because
! thought it might make you uncomfort-
able But now think you ought to
know ii.
"If you had only told me yesterday
that you were to have bridge. Eloise
might have been spared this extremely
gay evening. OF course. I'm greatly
Obliged to you for entertaining in her
honor"
| was so astonished at this rude out
burst of sarcasm that made no reply.
Indeed, | should regret having taken
the trouble to do anything for Ruth
and her friend were it not for the fact
that the party which was really a dis
! tinct success notwithstanding Ruths
I'll humor, has cleared off a great many
| VI NV social obligations