The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-02

- D>>es
| The Euenine Story
Superstition and Sir John.
(By Wallace Horton.)
Mrs. Garvin surveyed the dining
table with delighted eyes. Certainly
there was little to complain Of In that
daintfly conceived decoration for the
! coming of an honored guest.
Sir John Vance, the great matinee
nero and exponent of the drama, was
coming IN for high tea, together with
a notable number of well-knOwn per-
sons Sunday evening being the only
time when theatrical stars were free.
| Mrs. Garvin had chosen that night
Tor their entertainment.
She fluttered about the table like a
small bird twittering over a Respondent
flower bed and hoped that nothing
would occur to mar the beauty Of an
expected Joyous evening. Mrs. Garvin
ana her retfnue of servants had spent
much time and thought over the dec
orat1ons suitable for an eminent actor,
and the result was gratifying at least.
The cepter Of the table was a mass
or laurel and around 1T were placed
fourteen little manilkins representing
or Jonn in various parts through
wnicn he had won his fame. The
little figures seemed to stroll about
the table. SO perfectly were they
fashioned. Art, master workmanship
and knowledge of the drama had
necessarily combined to turn out the
wonderful figures that were Sir John
Vance in miniature.
Mrs. Garvfn rushed off to the nur-
sery in q burst OF enthusiasm
DO bring the children in to see the
table. Miss Gray" she said to the slim
girl who was the children's loved nurse.
1t doesn't matter If they're in their
nighties," she added. when two little
Whitehead figures hurled themselves
into her arms. She Rugged them tight.
! regardless of exquisite chiffons and
iaces. and trotted them off with Miss
Gray to see the table decorations for
Sir John.
The children screamed with delight
and flush of color swept across Miss
Gray's face. For a moment she wished
tnat she, too, might join that board
and gaze at Sir John Vance from across
the table even as she had gaxed at
him over the footlights. But her envy
OF the fortunate women who were to
nave that pleasure was short lived, and
she took the children off to the nur-
sery with a sense of joy that she was
not of an envious nature.
"A few moments later the door bell
rang and the first of the twelve ex-
pected guests arrived. Sir John Vance
followed, and soon all save one OF the
fourteen visitors were safely under
the roof of their hostess. When an
other quarter OF an hour had passed
Mrs. Garvin became anxious lest
something direful had happened to
Drina Warden that would prevent
her coming and thus upset the entire
table arrangements. ti s---4 81 IN
Another moment and the telephone
rang. Drina could not come and
there would of necessity be a vacant
place at the table.
Mrs. Garvin sighed. But since there
was no chance OF getting another
guest at that late time, she followed
her party into the dining room, her
fingers resting lightly on the arm of
Sir John.
Il wanted Drina Warden especially
to meet you," she told him with
dainty flattery in her eyes. 1T il her
loss, however, that she is unable to
be here
The great actor rewarded her flattery
| with his whimsical smile. 10
Il can assure you I will not notice
the absence of-any one," he returned,
and Mrs. Garvin blushed prettily.
1T cuts our number down to thir-
teen. though she said laughingly
It hope you are not superstitious,S Sir
john" she added. and was startled by
the quick glance he cast over the
guests.
But 1 am" Sir John told her
frankly. II cannot sit down with thir-
teen at table. The greatest loss
have sustained in my life followed
such an occurrence. Do ask some
| one in: it does not matter who
He smiled SO appealingly into Mrs.
| allied the truth that genius and ex-
| treme boyishness go hand in hand.
| The guests were seated even then.
and in a moment Mrs. Garvin had
| their attention, though it was diff
| cult to draw them from ordinations
of delight over her unique table dec
| grafton.
"Sir John is so superstitious,' she
told them laughingly, that I must
| go out and drag in some one to fill
the fourteenth chair vacated by Miss
Warden. Do excuse me for a second Is
She went OF directly and q general
laugh followed at Sir Johns expense.
He took it good-naturedly and the sit
uation took on q new interest. Whom
would Mrs. Garvin find to offer them
by way OF an unexpected guest?
Miss Gray. the children's nurse, had
protested in vain.
You look as sweet as a new blown
rose in that pink blouse" Mrs. Gar
win told her as she led her toward the
dining room, land there is no need to
stand in awe of our Sir John. He is
Just like an overgrown boy with no
airs or graces.''
| Enid Gray was flushed and inward
ly trembling as Mrs. Garvfn pulled
| her by the hand into that assemblaxe
| Of notable people, but outwardly she
expressed the calm of a placid lake.
The ordeal of presentation was most
| trying, and only when she was seated
beside the guest OF honor did she
find. time to realize that she was not
| dreaming. He had offered her the
| flower from his lapel the moment she