The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-02-03
THE FORGOTTEN PARTY
BY j. J. MCCARTNEY.

crete form. Yet trying to forget 1t
only irritated him the more.
In the midst of his luncheon a light
ming flash cleared his head and with
sickening chill he knew what he
hadn't done. He had forgotten to go
to the dinner party which Celia Bell
had given the evening before.
He had not the ghost of an excuse,
because he had not been dead at the
time, which would have been the only
valid excuse in the eyes of a hostess.
He had simply absented himself from
the affair because of an inexplicable
lapse of memory. For an instant he
wished that he dared telephone the
explanation that he had been knocked
down and rendered unconscious by an
automobile and had just come to. Man
ifestly it was totally impossible to
call up Celia and airily say; Excuse
me for thinking so little of your invi-
tation that it slipped my mind"
The fact was that he thought a lot
of Celia's invitation. Indeed, he was
beginning to realize that he was going
ly begun to do so as yet, because their
acquaintance had hardly advanced be.
yond the formal stages, but he real
lied that his captivity was inevitable
and he was more than resigned to the
prospect. This made the scrape in
which he now found himself all the
more tragic.
He had heard of men who had for
gotten dinner parties and had been re-
stored to human society and liberation
only after weary years of contrition,
This tedious process did not appeal
to him. He was afraid that in the
meantime some one else would run
away with Celia. He racked his brain
for more speedy solution of the diff
Guilty.
Celia was no weak, gentle, doormat
variety of girl. He could imagine just
how her wonder at his nonappearance
had grown to surprise, then to wrath,
and how her wrath was growing hour
by hour.
1t was without doubt most difficult
situation
The average man would have tried
to placate the injured hostess by
bushel of roses or ten pounds of candy,
a contrite note or a desperate call in
person. Young Plunkett showed his
really superior intellect by the fact
that he did not do any of these things.
For few days he did absolutely moth
ing. This required self-restraint, for
every hour that Celia hated him was
blight. But when the next Monday
evening came around he attired him
self carefully in the prescribed soci-
ETY. raiment and sailed forth
On his way he ran into Smith. Hell
To-" said Smith, ARE we going out
among them tonight?"
Yes" said young Plunkett, cheer
fully. 81 am going to a dinner party
at Celia Bells"
oh" said Smith, lis she entertain
ing again? I went to a dinner at her
home last Monday night"
Did your murmured young Plum.
kett, interestedly, and passed on.
With firm step he mounted the
steps to the home of Celia and the Wig
orous peal of the bell sounded not
like the summons of one in terror Ad-
mitted to the reception hall, he waited
in all his immaculate splendor. After
a while Celia came in. She advanced
with the outraged dignity of an Of
Tended stage princess and when she
said Good evening in a questioning
tone young Plunkett felt like an unwel-
come book agent. Yet he chung grim
ly to the purpose with which he had
started out.
rAm I the first one?" he asked.
cheerily.
Miss Bell was puzzled enough to re-
lax her frown bit. First one for
what? I don't understand" she
said
Young Plunkett's face was a picture
of ingenious Amusement. why, aren't
you giving dinner party this eve
ning?" he demanded.
Miss Bell sat down Imply. 81 am
mott" she informed him. 81 gave one
last Monday night, however-and l
don't believe you have seen fit to ex-
plain why you were not present"
Last Monday night" cried young
Plunkett. why, you've made an aw-
ful mistake of some sort. When you
invited me you said distinctly a week
from next Monday night Do you think
for an instant | could have misunder-
stood an invitation from you? Why,
I've counted On this evening for days
and now you tell me that you had
the party a week ago! l don't under
stand, really"
For moment Celia stared at him.
If ever there was a disappointed and
reproachful individual on earth it was
young Plunkett at that instant.
Celia wavered-then she fell
Il never did such thing before
in my life!" she cried. And here I've
been blaming you! Oh, I'm so sorry,
Mr.. Plunkett! Now, you simply have
got to stay and dine with us informally
tonight. How I ever came to make
such slip of the tongue l can't ina
CINE! You'll stay?"
why, thank you," said young Plum
kett with noble forgiveness. Now,
you mustn't worry about this another
instant. It's all right, assure you