The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-05-15
THE FORGOTTEN PARTY
BY J. J. MCCARTNEY.

Atth was ny oo"V F"seN
idea in the back Of his brain OF some
thing left undone. Struggle as lie
might, he could not get It into con
crete form. Yet trying to forget II
only irritated him the more.
In the midst OF his luncheon a light.
ming flash cleared his head and with
= sickening chill he knew what he
hadn't done lie had forgotten to go
10 the dinner party which Celia Bell
had given the evening before.
lie had not the ghost of an excuse.
Because he had not been dead at the
time, which would have been the only
valid excuse in the eyes Of a hostess.
lie had simply absented himself from
the affair because of an inexplicable
lapse of memory. For an instant he
wished that he dared telephone the
explanation that he had been knocked
down and rendered unconscious by an
automobile and had just come to. Man.
testify it was totally impossible to
call up Celia and airily say; Excuse
me for thinking so little of your invi'
tation that it slipped my mind"
The fact was that he thought lot
Of Cela's invitation Indeed, he was
beginning to realize that he was going
20 think a lot of Celia. He had scarce.
iy begun 20 do so as yet, because their
acquaintance had hardly advanced be
yond the formal stages, but he real
ized that his captivity was inevitable
and he was more than resigned to the
prospect This made the scrape In
which he now found himself all the
more tragic.
lie had heard of men who had for
gotten dinner parties and had been re
stored to human society and federation
only after weary years OF contritlon
This tedious process did not appeal
20 him. He was afraid that in the
meantime some one else would run
away with Celia He racked his brain
for a more speedy solution of the diff
Guilty.
Celia was no weak, gentle, doormat
variety of girl. lie could imagine Just
how her wonder at his nonappearance
had grown to surprise, then to wrath,
and how her wrath was growing hour
by hour.
u was without doubt most difficult
situation.
The average man would have tried
TO placate the injured, hostess by a
Snshel of roses or ten pounds OF candy
n contrite note or a desperate call In
person. Young Plunkett showed his
l,tn h,, hn % ~
that he did ret ~ o''-' 90 ''-~7 'hings
For few du,s he a Il absolutely moth.
ing. This required l.res r mt, foi
every hour th,t celia hated LA was
a blight But when the next Monday
evening came around he attired him.
self carefully In the prescribed soci
city ralment and sailed forth.
On his way he ran into Smith Hell
To-" said Smith, ARE we going ont
among them tonight"
Yes" said young Plunkett, cheer
fully. Il am going to dinner party
Al Celia Bells"
oh" said Smith, rs she entertain
ing again? | went to a dinner at heI
home last Monday night"
Did you? murmured young Plum
hatt, interestedly and passed on,
With Il firm step he mounted tn,
steps TO the home of Celia and the Wig
orous peal OF the bell sounded no
IKE the summons of one In terror Ad
mitted to the reception hall, he waite
tn all his immaculate splendor. Afte
while Celia came in. She advance
with the outraged dignity OF an o.
tended stage princess and when sh
said Good evening" in a questionin
tone young Plunkett felt like an unwe
come book agent. Yet he chung grin
~ TO the purpose with which he ha
started out.
Am | the first one?" he aske,
eheerily.
Miss Bell was puzzled enough to r.
lax her frown a bit. First one II
what? don't understand" sh
said.
Young Plunkett's face was q pictui
Of Ingenious amazement. why, aren
You giving dinner party this ev
ning?" he demanded,
MISS Bell sat down Imply. Il a
not!" she informed him. Il gave oil
last Monday night, however-and
ion't believe you have seen 1T to e
plain why you were not present"
Last Monday night" cried your
Plunkett. why. you've made an a
full mistake OF some sort When y,
invited me you said distinctly a we,
from next Monday night Do you THU
for an instant | could have mlsunde
stood an invitation from you? VIII
rye counted on this evening for da
and now you tell me that you hi
the party IA week ago! | don't und,
stand, really"
For a moment Celia stared at hi
u ever there was a disappointed al
reproachful individual on earth II W
Young Pmnkett at that instant,
Celia wavered-then she fell
II never did such a thing befo
II my life" she cried And here l.
teen blaming you! oh. I'm so sori
Mr. Plunkett Now, you simply ha
cot to stay and dine with us informal
onight, How ! ever came to maj
A. III. a..