New Britain herald., 1915-12-24
How Madge Met Mrs. Smith and Ac-
 cepted the Leadership of the


 cepted the Lec dership of the History Course. N. As I entered the door of the tea room I heaved a sigh of relief. The l place was deserted save for a smiling young woman, evidently the manager who came forward to meet me. was very glad that Mrs. Smith had not yet arrived. for I hate to be the last conner at any appointment.
 Have you any preference as to tables?"
 The soft. gentle voice of the man. ager or waitress, whichever she might be, matched her appearance. Slight, sweet-faced, with waving brown hair banded quietly about her head, she was very attractive.
 1T think I should like this one near the window and facing the door," I replied. "I do not wish to order yet, however and have a business ap- pointment here with woman whom I have never seen. When she arrives will order"
 Every we'll" She handed me a menu card and went unobtrusively back to a corner, where she busied herself with some writing.
 I barely had time to look at the immense fireplace with it's red chim- ney breast and it's old andirons, which nearly filled one end of the room, and was evidently the pride of the estab- lishment, before saw a woman enter the door and look around her as if in search of some one.
 The waitress. hurried forward to meet her, but she waved her aside, and came toward the table where I was seated.
 Pardon me, are you Mrs. Gra- ham?" she asked suavely.
 T am," I returned, rising to greet her, land you are Mrs. Smith, are you not?"
 ''Yes, I do hope haven't kept you waiting?" .', ..
 'No, indeed. I arrived less than five minutes ago."
 1T am so glad Suppose we order now and get it off, our, minds. Then we can discuss our business at our leisure."
 That will be very nice." I tried as was her own. She was little too transparent, I thought, in her en- deavor to be conventionally courteous against her inclination. I saw that she had not yet forgiven me for de- clining to break an engagement with Dicky in order to meet her after she cancelled our original appointment on a most trivial pretext. " The Luncheon Order.
 She picked up the menu card, and opening a beautiful jewelled lorg nette scanned the items through it. I had to admit that she was a stunning woman, tall, stately, gray-haired, with eyes and complexion that many a. girl might envy. She was exquisitely dressed, too, quietly, in street costume, but every detail of her gowning spelled not only wealth but refine 1nent.
 "Let me see, this is Wednesday," she said, turning to the back of the card where a list of specialties served On different days was given. '"This IS the day on which they serve fish in shells Their devilled crab meat is delicious Would you like to try it?'' Her manner said in effect. T am going to order crab meat, if you do not wish any, it shows your ignor- ance'' I do not suppose she meant to be rude or to neglect consulting my preferences as to the menu. But could see that she had been dictator among women so long that the habit of taking things into her own hands clung to her even when she was un- aware of it.
 1T am very fond of devilled crab neat" I returned. "If you can recommend this shall be very glad to try 1t. But I do not wish anything