The Washington herald., 1914-03-01
Daily Short Story
POPULAR MISS MACY
by 4. MARIA CRAWFORD.
JCopyrisht. IsiiI

Nor1risnt iSif-i
elizabeth Macy has a good time wher-
ever she goes I wonder why she is So
popular" Kitty ManIr turned to Louise
Richmond questioningiy. "she isn't pref
ty. is she?'
They looked across the room where
Elizabeth was holding court. She was
laughingly dispensing her charms win
an impartiality that would have delighted
her mother II she could have seen her:
and at the same time filled the hearts OF
the men about her with jealous curiosity
Her brown hair was parted and drawn
low over a high forehead Her eyes were
blue As the sea in sunshine, and her
white lace gown with its touches Of sap
phIre velvet showed a slight, well-mod-
eled figure.
Men like her because she is jolly an
swered Louise. she has my brother
Fred in tow this afternoon, yet We ooth
know that he is deeply In love with Mary
Gaines. He has probably quarreled with
his lady fair and gone to Elizabeth FOR
comfort, She adapts herself to the in
dividual needs of the men about her.
That is the secret of her popularity.
Il don't think So" argued Kitty Manir
warmly Men don't always need COM
fort Why, every man in this room just
seems to gravitate toward her as II they
were drawn that way"
well, she understands and discusses
things with men from their own view
point"
No. think you are wrong again A
man doesn't care particularly for a
woman with a masculine viewpoint un-
less he is very effeminate himself. A real
man seeks the complement of his own
thought in an essentially feminine
woman"
AT any rate i won't concede the point
that men love Elizabeth. She has host
of friends, but mighty few lovers. Why
dou't she marry II men love her so?'
What a question. Louise, / suppose
she is waiting for the right man as ! am
now. Here comes Dick. I'll see you
again"
You know I had an idea that Mrs.
Martin was giving this big party to an
nounce her visitors engagement to Pc
ter" said Sidney Wilton to Elizabeth.
II never thought of that returned the
girl The fact is. I never thought of
Peter Martin wanting anything
He certainly has everything but a
wife and he can pick and choose as he
plesses."
Peter is attractive, but it isn't just
TO the girls. Sidney. and certainly not
gallant OF you to say that he can pick
and choose as he pleases. Here he comes
now Don't tease him He'll tell us II
he wants to know"
This is my party. gentlemen. so Tor
once am a privileged character.
laughed the tall host who had somehow
managed to keep the spirit of happy
youth in his brown eyes. although he
was nearing forty. Il realize that il is
criminal to carry off the belle of the
party, and that is Elizabeth's good for
tune wherever she goes, but would like
to steal her away for fifteen minutes,
with your kind permission.
"A penalty for the deed cried Fred
Richmond
"AlI right, What is it,
when are you going to explode the
bomb Of your engagement to Miss John
son, your mothers lovely visitor? say,
old . you've been a sly dog. Out
with it,
Peter never changed color. He would
have allowed himself the pleasure Of get
ting angry IL the man had not been his
guest
Miss Johnson said Peter with quiet
dignity, lis engaged to mothers nephew.
That Is why she is visiting us He OF
fered his arm to Elizabeth. who had
flushed painfully at the personal question.
Peter never indulged in gossip or petty
personalities.
They made their way through the
crowded rooms to a conservatory, where
the waters of a fountain caught the col
ors OF the hundreds of lights about II
and flashed with the tints of airy, fairy
rainbows into the clear pool below, where
silver and gold fish darted in and out
beneath the lily pads. .<
Here" said Peter, us nice, quiet
place where / can perhaps persuade you
to do something kind and charitable for
me-"
What is it?'' asked Elizabeth.
Mother and want you to stay with
us for dinner tonight. There will be
Just the three of us. Our visitor Is going
home with one OF the girls. Please say
yes.'
II am delighted to stay. You were so
serious that / thought you were goirg
to ask me to take care of some orphan
you had decided to adopt or to do some
thing really charitable. / always well
come your mothers invitations and
yours, too,' she added. her eyes twink
ling.
"ru bet those fellows back there are
watching every door for you" chuckled
Peter.
"You are trying to fiatter me for some
reason. I believe there is an orphan after
all. You see | have heard all about the
little boys you pick up and send away
to be cured OF diseases You do lot
of good with your money, Peter. What
a pity all rich men are not like you!
Now you are fiattering me. what's
the reason" ruimicked Peter.
You really are very good, Peter"
"And good men, sighed Peter. ARE
never loved by women"
Elizabeth laughed. THAT doesn't worry
you, does II. Peter?'
.Eyerybody wants to be loved" replied
Peter eyasively Il don't like to be per-
sonaI but IL am very fond Of YOU"