The Dolores star., 1913-05-02

Il approach that at once. This ID
leap year. ~ you will recollect. On
January FIRST gave = leap-year party
and In the spirit Of fun each lady
present declared her intention Of
bringing to . series Of late dinners q
gentleman whom none Of 10 knew.
either by sight or BY reputation. He
was to be lured into Q carriage BY
some story or other. ard was not to
know the true state Of things till be
sat ut the table. Ny niece was the
last on the list. Those who backed
down we're to give . house-party Of
weeks length. Women detest
house-parties. and that IL the one
reason Why this comedy has gone
down the line without . failure.
Nov. Nell, tell us how you lured
Mr.. Anonymous into your carriage"
Very quietly she recounted the tale.
She omitted but one incident.
IN front Of Q club" cried the
ladies in unison. why in the world
didn't We think Of that"
Miss Berkeley has omitted one
thing" said I maliciously.
And. pray. what!" asked Miss
Berkeley's uncle.
Remember" she whispered. you
are supposed to be . gentleman."
took umbrsse At the word sup
posed"
Miss Berkeley must tell you what
she has omitted In the course OF hef
narrative"
n And l refuse to tell"
Hang II. Nell. I'll wager Mr..
Anonymous kissed you!" cried her
uncle.
Caught" cried one of the ladies.
ALLOW me q word" I interposed.
was already sorry. There was .
method In my action which must not
be misconstrued. I believed, for .
moment. that Miss Berkeley might
be . new species Of bunko-steerer. II
she objected noisily to my salute ]
should nnd my case proved: II she
cried, was wrong"
"And?"
"shs aid neithsr. She rubssl Asr
cheek.
III warrant" my host bawlsd
Aoisily. "Oh. this 10 rich! A bunko
lls.rer!"
Miss Berkeley" I whispered. I'VE
are quits"
Not yst."-ominousiy.
Il was almost time for me to 60!
Il was going to ask your pardon"
said the uncle In his hunter-voice:
C.'but I think you have been paid for
ybs- trouble. IL there anything you
would hke!"
Three things. sir"
"And these," he asked. while every
one looked curiousiy At me. was
stiil an unknown quantity.
MY hat, my coat, and tho way to
the door. for I presume you have no
further use for me-"
My reply appealed to the guests ~
monstrous funny. II was some time
ere the laughter subsidized. My host
seemed to be threatened with IN At.
tack Of apoplexy.
MY dear sir" said he. Il beg Of
~ to remain. not a. 4 source for our
merriment, but a. the chief guest Of
honor: believe you have won that
place"
turned to Miss Berkeley. do
you bid mo remain"
Silence.
! placed my hand on the back OF
my chair. preparatory to sliding II
from under me. She stayed me.
DO not eo."-softiy. Il haven't
had my revenge"
sat down. ! was curious to learn
what color this revenge was going TO
take. Mr.. Ainsworth. my compli.
ments!"--raisins my glass. being
very careful not 70 touch the con.
tents.
-Builyi" cried my host. humping
Ahe table with his nst. james.
dosen bottles Of %. There's . gen
tleman. to those nearest
him: you can tell en- . mile on. A
little shy al strangers" humorousiy
falling into horse-taik. but he's
money coming down the homo
stretch"
Thea everybody began to talk at
snce. and I knew that the dinner
oroper was on the way,
Aren't you Just . little above such
sscapades - this" ! asked OF the
girl.
DO not make me any more uneom-
Portable than I am" she begged.
but having gone into II had too
much courage 10 hack down."
"Ths true courage would have bssn
- give the houssparty."
but men always insist upca your
marrying thsm at house partiss."
Z II ~ ! have much 10 learn
asshly. And the men are right"
-what a. escape ! have had!"
"MsaaiAg house parties. o. that !
~ . geatls0anf'
re yes bad noe bssa . gentleman!
~. - course. you are. since ny
mDohn hAn - AMAhaA v0ea n voAA had