Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-18
HIS SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

Well, that spells the evening for me- observed Strong, gloomily fin- gering q note which said that the grip would prevent a, certain younS lady from attending. the opera that night. Sorry Gladys Is sick-no, confound it if | anN These eleventh hour. excuses are getting too frequent. won't stand for it. l wonder if Elizabeth Miller will ge," he unused, continuing his dressing. No. I'll stay at home tonight. What right has girl to make fellow miserable. anyhow? I-come in.
 And here's your mendin MT. How ard"t said the young woman who en- tered. She addressed him according t9 custom in his family before the death of his parents had driven him into an apartment house, where he mad found a position for the faithful servant
 Thank you, Mary said Strong without pausing in his wrestling bou-- with collar button. Mary, l have q couple of extra tickets for the thea tre tonight. Can't Xou get Pat to take your
 It's always Pat you're a-teazin' me about Mr. Howard and there ain't 6 Pat--not for me. I ain't pretty enougn and then I'm 35 Sure, it's many year since I've seen a theatre A A,
 No, Mary: you must not be ne- elected in that fashion, he said, turning abruptly from the mirror. Let me be Pat tonight
 "Oh, Mr. Howard, I couldnt-it wouldn't-Iio. sir. Oh, MT. Howard it's johin' you are, after all" she ex- plained, as a smile spread over hls face
 NO. Mary. I never was more seri- you Mary McGfnnis, the best time of your life Put on your best bonnet and be ready by quarter to eight. You live at
 On Third avenue. 27S6 back, three
 NO excuses, Mary. Now good-by, or we'll both be late.'
 Throughout dinner at the club that night Srong's face repeatedly re- faxed at the oddlty of his experiment. It's unconventiOnality did not worry him. for the wealth and social posi- tlon of the Strongs put him beyond the sting of criticism.
 Opera tonight, Strong?" drawled young Castlewood, whom he parttc- ularly disliked, dropping into vacant
 No; had planned te surprise Gladys Hastings withsthat new play Manton' 's-for a change, but shes sick However,
 Well, you needn't waste any time asking Elizabeth Miller" laughed Castlewood, for I'm going to take her
 @oh don't worry" replied Strong. nettled.
 No offenss. old man; knew you were inclined in that direction though between two fires at present But, by the way'' he added aiming parting thrust, T hear that Count de Mlgny arrived here today, enroute for San Francisco. Guess you've heard Gladys speak of him. Keep your eye on him. He's a clever chap"
 Smooth might better describe him. I know absolutely that he's bogus, replied Strong.
 "Oh. have it your way drawled CastleWood, departing. Strong was between two fires. and knowing IL, resented all the more. these insinua- tions Which disturbed him more, the thought of CastIeWood's recent mark ed attention to Elizabeth or the ar rival of the count? He could not de- tern1ine.
 \ At first Mary was ill, at ease thas night with Strong, the luxurious car riage, his evening dress and polished manners beipgvstrange to her. but his geniaIity soon put her at ease. On the way he stopped at a florists.
 These violets are for you, Mary. and the roses for another nice young f lady who is fll!' he explained.
 Thanks MT. Howard, and it's the lady with the beautiful eyes that is sick? Oh, am so sorry she elk claimed.
 "Tes, she has beautiful eyes, Mary; but where did you see her%'
 At the tea you gave in your apart ments last year She thinks everyt thing of you, Mir Howard. l could see that plain. and if she grows up t. be as fine looking as her mother, why you'll you'll-
 But her mother was not there, he said coming ito her rescue.
 "Oh, yes. she kept saying Elizabeth this and Elizabeth that. She- But Pm not talking about Eliza beth. These AowersI are for Miss Hastings, the girl with the heavy auburn hair" replied Strong, amused.
 'Oh, I remember her" she said, dis appointedIy. I'm sorry, thought it was-I mean-oh,, I don'F know what mean. I'm an old goose. MT. Howard" she finally exclaimed, much distressed.
 How is Miss Hastings?' Strong in quired at the door.
 tWhy-why2o she's better" re piled the we'll drilled man, recovering himself strong left the flowers an1 returned to the carriage with Strange misgfvngs.
 Strong did not heed the many won dering glances his friends cast in his direction that night, for he was doing his best to make it a red-letter occasion for Mary. Moreover, he was having d heart to- heart talk with in which two young women prominently figured. What Mary said