The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-01-13
THAT UNLW;kY NUMBER
by WALLACE HORTON.

Copyright, 1914, by tile Mcclure NeWEpa-
per ~syrdicate.)
Mrs. Garvtn surveyed the dining
table with delighted eyes. Certainly
there was little to complain OF In that
daintily conceived decoration for the
coming Of an honoled guest
Sir John Vance, the great matinee
hero 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 for
their entertainment.
She futtered about the table like
q small bird twittering oye q re-.
splendent flower bed and hopeta that
nothing would occur to mar the teauty
OF an expected joyous evening. Mrs.
Garvin and her retiaue Of servants had
spent much time ard thought ov'sr the
decorations suitable for az eminent
actor, and the result was gratifying
at least
The center Of tho table was a mass
Of laurel, and around It we're placed
fourteen little maIdkins representing
Sir, John in various parts through
which he had won his fame. The
little figures seemed to stroll aboat tbs
table. Z
: A few moments later the doorbel
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 another
quarter of an hou, had passed Mrs.
Garvin became anxious lest something
direful lad happened to Drina Warden
that would prevent her coming and
thus upHet the entire table arrange
ments. - \
Another moment and the telephone
rang. Irina could not come and there
would Of necessity be- a vacant place
at the table.
Mrs. Garyin sighed. But since there
WIS no chance Of getting .azlother
guest al that lats time she followed
her party into the dining roonl, her
fingers resting lightly on the arm Of
Sir John. a%
II wanted Drina Warden especially
Ito meet you" she told him with
dainty fattery In her eyes. "It Is her
loss, however, that she 10 unable to1
b0 here"
The great actor rewarded her fiat
terry with his whimsical smile.
II can assure you I will not notice the
absence ot-anyone." he returned, and
Mrs. Garvln blushed pretttly.
1T cuts our number down to tlLr.
teen. though" she said laughingly. ="
hope you are not superstitious, E6ir
John" she added, and wal startled by
a quick glance he cast Owe the a7uerts:
"But / am" Sir John told her
frankly, "a cannot sit down with tl,ir-
teen at table. Tie greatest losB Il
have sustained in my life followed
such an occurrence. Do ask some one
in; It does not matter who"
Miss Gray, the ctildren's nurse, Iro-
tested In vain. "YOu look as sweet az
q ~new-blown rose Ii that pink blouie,"j
Mrs. Garyin told her.
Enid Gray was flushed and inwardly
trembling as Mrs. Garvin pulled her
by the hand into that assemblage of
notable people. but outwarily she ex,
pressed the calm OF, a placid lake. The
ordeal OF presentation was mott Try
Ing, and only when she was seated be-
side the guest Of honor did she find
time to realize that she was not dreina-|
ing. Hey had offered her tho flower
from his lapel the moment she had
seated herself.
"That Is for being . good girl" he
told her with his delightful smile. I'll
would have had to miss this high tea
Mrs. Garvin invited me to had you not
completed u number"
And since the ics had been broken
in so effective a manner tea proceed
ed with more merriment than It would
have had Drina Warden graced the
table with her pres ence.
Later When the guests returned "
the drawing room, each carrying al
manikin representing Sir John, Miss
Gray would have slipped Of! to the
nursery had not Mrs. Garvin detained
her.
mo, no." she commanded, putting
q determined hand on that Of Enid
Gray, 81 want you to sing those sweet
little lullaby songs you do for the
kiddies. Sir John is very fond OF
music, he tells ma, and none OF US
can sing a note" .,....,
When Enid retired to her room that
night her eyes wers sparkling and her
| cheeks flushed. She still felt the warm
thrill that had swept over her when
Sir John had drawn her hand close
within his own and the look In his
| eyes when he had said to her. II have
always regretted my superstition-!un-
til tonight. Now-t Is q most wonder.
| full asset" $685..
Feared for Grandpa.