Middletown transcript., 1915-10-30

they expressed their worry again. At
that hour Ted and Lucille Teasdale and
Arly Fosland came in with the exuber-
ance of New Years eve celebration.
Its great sleighing tonight" stated
Lucile's husband, who was a thin
WASTED young man, with a splendid
natural gift for dancing.
"All that's missing is the bells" chat
tered the black-haired Arly, breaking
straight for her favorite big couch in
the library. THE only way to have
any speed in an auto is to go sidewise."
We're to get up skidding match,
so can bet on our chauffeur" laughed
Lucille, fiufing her blonde ringlets be-
fore the big mirror in the hall. I'VE
slid a complete circle coming down
through the park, and never lost rev.
olution!"
i've been thinking it must be bad
driving" fretted Mrs. Sargent. Gail
should be home by now!"
"Allison's a safe driver" comforted
Ted, who liked to see everybody
happy.
Jim Sargent came to the door of the
study, in which he was closeted with
Rev. Smith Boyd. Jim was prac-
tically the young rector's business
guardian.
Hello, folks" he nodded. Gail
homer"
mot yet," responded Mrs. Sargent,
in whose brow the creases were be-
coming fixed.
Its hardly time" estimated Jim,
and went back into the study.
I'm terribly vexed." confided Lu-
cile, stopping behind Ted's chair, and
idly tickling the back of his neck. Il
thought 1t would be such a brilliant
scheme to give winter weekend
party, but Mrs. Acton is going to give
one at her country place"
Before or after?" demanded Mrs.
Davies, with whom this was a point of
the utmost importance.
"a week after" answered Lucille,
"but her invitations are out. 1 wish I
hadn't mailed mine. What can we do
to make ours notable?"
That being matter worth consider
ing, the entire party, with the excep-
tion of Aunt Grace, who was listening
for the doorbell, set their wits and
their tongues to work. Mrs. Helen Da-
vies took a keener interest in it than
any of them. The invitation list was
the most important of all, for 1t was a
long and arduous way to the heaven of
the socially elect and it took genera
tions to accomplish the journey. The
Murdoch girls, Grace and herself, had
no great-grandfather. Murdoch Senior
had made his money after Murdoch
Junior was married, but in time to
give the girls a thorough polishing in
an exclusive academy. Thus launched,
Helen had married man with a great
great-grandfather but Grace had mar
ried Jim Sargent. Jim was a dear,
and had plenty Of money, and was as
good a railroader as Grace's father,
with whom he had been great chums /;
but still he was Jim Sargent. Calls
mother, who had married Jim's broth
er, had seven ancestors but moth
er's family name is so often over
looked. Nevertheless, when Gail came
to marry, the maternal ancestry, all
other things being favorable, might
even secure her an invitation to Mrs
Waverly-Gaites' annual! Reaching
this point in her circle of speculation
Mrs. Helen Davies came back to her
starting place, and loked at the library
clock with a shock. Ten; and the girl
was not yet home!
Rev. Smith Boyd came out Of the
study with his most active vestryman
and joined the circle of waiting ones
He was a pleasant addition to the
party, for, in spite of belonging to the
clergy, he was able to conduct himself
in Rome in a quite acceptable Roman
fashion. Pleasant as he was, they
wished he would go home, because il
was not convenient to worry in his
company; and by this time Lucille her
self was beginning to watch the clocl
with some anxiety. Only Mrs. Sar
gent felt no restraint. An automobile
honked at the door as If it were stop
ping, and she half arose; then the
same honk sounded half way down thu
block, and she sat down again.
I'm so worried about GALL" sh,
stated, holding her thumb.
I'VE all are" supplemented Mrs. Da
vies, quickly. "She has been dininl
with a party of friends, and tn,
streets are so slippery"
81 should judge Mr.. Allison to be
very capable driver" said Rev. Smitl
Boyd; and the ladies glared at Jim. "
envy them their drive on a night lik,
this. l wonder If there will be gooC
coasting."
Fine" judged Jim Sargent, looking
out of the window toward the adjoin
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