The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-02-03
THAT UALgCkY ] n NUMBER
III ~ ---.s !. ~
ByWALLAcE HORTON.

u
per Synd1cate) IS
Mrs. Garvin surveyed the dining
table with delighted eyes, ]" Certainly
there, was little to complain Of In that
dafntily conceived decoration for the
coming Of an honored guest: 81
Sir John Vance, the great matinee
hero and exponent of the. drama, was
coming in for high tea, together with
notable number Of well-knoWn per
sons. Sunday evening being the only
time when theatrical stars we're free,
Mrs. Garvin had chosen that night for
their entertainment. :. 5!
She futtered about the table like
small bird twittering over q re.
splendent flower bed and hoped that
nothing would occur to mar the beauty
Of an expected joyous evening. Mrs,
Garrin and her retinue of servants had
spent much time and thought over the
decorations suitable for an eminent
actor, and the result was gratifying
at least 4. (,
The center Of the table was a mass
of laurel, and around 1t were placed
fourteen little manikins representing
Sir John in various parts through
which. he had won his fame. The
little figures seemed to stroll about the
table. y Z. 81. ~ 3
"A few moments later the doorbeH
rang and the first Of the; twelve@ex-
pected guests arrived. Sir John. Vance
followed, and soon all save ione Of the
fourteen visitors were safely under the
roof Of their hostess. When another
quarter of an hour had passed Mra
Garvin became anxious lest something
direful had happened to .Drina Warden
that would prevent her coming and
thus. upset the entire table arrange
ments. I. =. 90 I
Another moment and the telephone
rang. Drina could not come and there
would Of necessity be vacant place
at the table, -. &,
Mrs. Garv1n sighed. But since there
was no chance OF getting another
guest at that late time she followed
her party into the dining room, hel
fingers resting lightly on the arm Of
Sir John. s55s. y tssse =
'I wanted Drina Warden especially
to meet you," she told him with
dainty fattery in her eyes. i"It; Is hei
slosa y however. that she is unable tt
be here" 3,sI,=j;. 3..;s II
The great --etor rewarded her fiat
terry with his whimsical smile.
can assure you / will not notice tht
absence Of anyone" !" he returned, and
Mrs. Garvin blushed iprettily. e e
1T cuts our number down to thtr
teen, though" she said laughing gly. 20
hope you are not superstitious, Sill
John" she added, and was startled By
q quick glance he cast over the guests
eBnt am" Sir John told hei
frankly, II cannot sit down with sthir
teen at table. The greatest loss
have sustained In my life followed
such an occurrence, Do ask some one
In : 1t does not matter who. ~ & 81 Z. :
Miss Gray, the children's nurse; pro
tested in vain. "You look as sweet az
a new-blown rose in that pink blouse!
Mrs. GarYin told her. %f g q 3 s.5
Enid Gray was flushed and inwardly
trembling as Mrs. Garyin pulled hei
by the hand into that assemblage OF
notable people, but outwardly she ex
pressed the calm Of placid lake. The
ordeal of presentation was most try
ing, and only when she was seated be
side the guest Of honor did she find
time to realize that she was not dream;
ing He had offered her the flower
from his lapel the moment she had
seated herself. j, %l5fs. + ..f.ls.-ss =.
"That is for being a good girl" he
told her with his delightful smile. Z
would have had to miss this high tea
Mrs. Garvin invited me to- had you not
completed our number" Z, Z, I
And since the ice had been broken
in SO effective a manner tea proceed.
led with more merriment than 1t, would
have had Drina Warden graced the
table with her presence.
Later when, the guests returned to
the drawing room, each. carrying a
manikin representing Sir John, Miss
Gray would have slipped off to the
nursery had not Mrs. GarYin detained
her. ,4,T 80. p. >, Ns..'-i ...ri
No. no." she commanded, putting
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 me, and none Of US
can sing a note.".5i "
When Enid retired to her room that
night her eyes were 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-it is most wonder
full asset" .,.s q, -. .:.ia IT,.
Feared for Grandpa.
Walter, aged three, was taken by