The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1915-08-19
PLAYING A
PART
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER


her dinner party, before we dine
| wish to speak Il word to you about
the young lady have assigned to you
for dinner companion. She has a
mild form of insanity, or rather mono
mania. She fancies that every man
she meets is in love with her, and no
matter what he says she considers it
IA proposal of marriage. But don't be
alarmed; the next day she forgets all
about it."
kenworthy assured his hostess that
he would excuse the young lady for
anything that might occur between
them, and she left him to attend to
other matters connected with her din
ner party, without giving him any 9th
or information about the young lady
he was to take out to dinner, not even
mentioning her name.
At the last minute the sudden indis
position and regrets of an invited guest
rendered Il change in the arrangement
of the couples necessary. When dinner
was announced Kenworthy had not
been presented to the lady that had
been assigned him for a dinner COM
panion. The procession had started
for the dining room when a sister of
the hostess hurried toward him and,
leading him to a young lady sitting
by herself, introduced him. He bowed,
crooked his arm, and the two formed
the last Couple to take their seats at
the table.
Among the changes made was Mr..
Kenworthy's dinner companion, and
in the hurry the card bearing the name
of Miss Bliss. beside whom he was to
have sat, had not been changed for that
of Miss Steele, the lady who had been
assigned him in her stead Miss Steele
glanced down at the card on taking
her seat, and Il strange look came over
her face. Then the corners of her red
lips quirked upward, and mischievous
look came into her eyes. Kenworthy,
too, gave quick glance at the name
and opened conversation.
For three hours the guests RECALLED
themselves With Mrs. Middleton's table
delicacies, and Miss Steele had ample
time to win Mr. Kenworthy's good
opinion, to say nothing of his admira-
ton. During the early part of the din
ner he was quite troubled lest she
should construe something he said into
a proposal of marriage, but about
the time the game was served he be-
gan to think that he wouldn't mind it
much if she did. Then he became GU
rious as to what she would consider q
and lastly he began to put
forth certain tests. Pretending a mis-
take, he took up the glass of wine be-
fore her and slipped it, remarking at |
the same time that it must be differ |
for it tasted far sweeter The suppos-
ed Miss Steele dropped her eyes, but !
said nothing. This started success
sion of delicately turned compliments
on the part of Mr.. Kenworthy, to all
Of which the lady listened with ap-
parent emotion.
1t is the nature of the small boy to
see how near he can skate to an air
hole in the ice without breaking in.
Urged on by a similar impulse, Mr.
proceeded to see how far
lie could talk soft to the monomaniac
without making love to her. The basis
# his Investigations was curiosity. If
lie had become infatuated with her in
20 short a time he was not aware of
t. The dinner came to an end, and on
etiring from the table Miss Steele led
he way to a window seat quite apart
rom the other guests.
"Mr. Kenworthy," she said opening
md shutting a fan she held in her
land as though struggling with some
leep emotion, Il confess that the pc
iod of our acquaintance has been very
hort. Nevertheless | believe in quick
owe. | have always felt that | could.
ecognize my mate instantaneously
nd my mate would recognize me as
quickly. The fattering words you
ave spoken to me have convinced me
hat | am not mistaken in believing
hat you have honored me with your
owe, and am sure you would not
ave given me TO understand that you
ove me without proposing marriage"
Mr.. Kenworthy had skated too near
he edge of the air hole and had tum-
led in
At the same moment Mrs. Middle
On approached the couple with
Dung lady beside her
''Mr. Kenworthy," she said, II wish
, present you to Miss Bliss, who was
D have been your dinner companion
adj not regrets from one of my invited
uests caused change at the last mo-
lent"
Kenworthy alone noticed the twinkle
the eye of Miss Steele as she gave
lace to Miss Bliss and walked away
18th the hostess. The next morning
liss Steele received a note from Mr.
-enworthy regretting the interruption
the night before and begging per-
lission to call upon her for the pur-
ose of making arrangements for their
edding. Miss Steele laughed heartily
nd replied that she had no remem-
rance Of anything that had occurred
warrant Mr. Kenworthy's assump-
on. but she would be happy to see
IN as a valued friend.
Mr.. Kenworthy spent a year trying