The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-05

q
Grannis. gorgeously frocked In char
meuse and lace, playing checkers with
her husband until it should be time to
play the chaperon.
! 81 told Jack Bennett to meet me
here" said Mary.
That's a good idea" replied nene.
THE girls have come, and i've OF the
men. Everybody's here now except
Jack and Allan James"
Mary's dainty white hand sought .
chair-back for support as she gasped:
! You invited Allan!"
| yes"
Then there Is nothing for me to do
but 60 home. Allan and ] are not
| speaking"
! You can't 60" replied nene de.
cisively. Jack Bennett Is coming es-
pecially for you. and II you can't
speak to Allan l can"
The doorbell rang. and Mary start.
ed violently. Perhaps that was Allan
now. To recover some Of her usual
sels-possession she went to the piano
and began to play.
Presently q careful glance over her
shoulder told her that Allan was IN
the farther room. presenting q large
bouquet OF flowers to Ilene. Just then
there was . frightful discord in the
music. Mary recovered herself quick
IL and went on. No one seemed to no
fice the discord. Everybody was hav-
ing a remarkably good time
Mary played softly. for she wanted
to know the minute that Jack Bennett
came. Then she would show these un-
appreciative men whom Iene had in
/! vited that she was not without charms
! for their sex.
+; But Jack was disgracefully late. A
clock in the hall kept a sickeningly
accurate account Of the flight Of
time. Was 1t possible that he would
not come, after all?
She stopped playing abruptly and
wheeled around, anger and indigna-
ton visible in every line Of her youth
full figure and piquant face.
The others looked up, startled and
embarrassed.
"Oh. Mary" exclaimed Ilene con-
tritely. She got up and went over to
her friend. slipping her arm appeal
ingly around Mary's waist. With su-
perior tact she attempted to draw
Mary into the pleasant circle that had
been formed behind her back. ~ 1t
were.
But Mary could not mix that night;
the presence Of Allan James embar-
raised her, and the task Of listening
for Jack to come made her silent and
distract.
The evening slipped by with sick
ening rapidity. and Jack did not
come.
The fact that Ilene grew gayer and
more amusing with every passing mo-
ment did not comfort Mary. A girl
whom Allan James favored with
flowers and attention for one whole
evening could we'll afford to be gay.
But what was she to do? In the
simple society Of Mary's native town
it was understood that the young
men Of party should escort the girls
to their homes. Mary's escort had
| failed her.
The party showed signs Of breaking
up. and Mary was on the verge Of ask
ing Mrs. Grannis to let her remain
there all night when Ilene informed
her that Allan James was going to
see" her home.
Mary tossed her head, but she of.
fered no objection. OF course. Ilene
had asked Allan to do this, and he
had consented for her sake.
Mary. mufled in furs, with warm
, overshoes. went out into the beautiful
night, conscious Of a little rift Of
! light in her dark cloud.
For one whole block she and her
tall, serious escort made no remark.
At the beginning OF the second
block Allan remarked stifay:
Its a beautiful night"
Very" replied Mary politely.
At the end Of the third block he
took her arm and helped her across
the street. Mary glanced up timidly.
Il am sorry to have to trouble
you" she said.
How" he asked shortly.
why, like this" she answered.
This Is no trouble" he replied de-
oisively.
Did you enjoy the party!"
Yes. l enjoyed the party" replied
Allan.
Mary sighed; It had always been
difficult to start things with Allan.
She must plunge at once into person.
alities. or her golden opportunity
would be gone.
Il didn't firt tonight" she said
softly.
Allan laughed in a way that made
Mary vince.
You couldn't very WELL" he an.
swered; '1lene carried of all the
honors"
I suppose" she said YEARLY. ,"that
1t would be difficult for you 10 under.
stand how interesting it is to firt with
new people"