Middletown transcript., 1916-01-22


reading a six-hundred-page critiQue of
Chopin's music, and calmly munching
chocolates out of basket decorated
with eight shades of silk roses.
"Sit down and have a chocolate,
Aunt Helen," Hospitality offered Gail,
slipping a marker in her book.
Mrs. Davies consumed great deal
of time in selecting chocolate. but
she did not sit down.
Shall you be at liberty this evening.
Gail?" she inquired with much care
lessness.
"Why?" and Gail, whose feet were
stretched out and crossed. in lazy ease,
looked up at her aunt sidewise from
under her curving lashes.
Mrs. Davies hesitated a moment
Houston Van Ploon would like ts
call"
Are they still downstairs" Gail
suddenly unveiled her eyes. and
brought her slippers squarely in front
of her divan. Also she sat bolt up
right.
YES" and Mrs. Davies betrayed
signs OF nervousness.
Are they making the appointment
for Houston?"
Yes" The word drawled.
"Why?" and Calls brown eyes be-
gan to crackle.
Mrs. Davies thought it better to sit
down.
my dear. a great honor has come
to you"
Gail leaned forward towards her
aunt, and tilted her chin.
Houston wants to propose, and he's
sent his father and sister to find out
if ne may!" she charged,
Yes" acknowledged Mrs. Davies.
driven past the possibility of delay or
preparation, and feeling herself unjust
ly on the defensive.
Il shall not be at home this eve
ming" announced Gail decisiyely. and
stretched out her feet again. and
crossed her little gray slippers. and
took chocolate. "Or any other eve
ming" she added.
Mrs. Davies lost her futter imme-
diately This was too stupendously
serious matter to be weakly treated.
MY dear, you don't understand!
she protested, not in anger, but in pa
tient reason. Houston Van Ploon has
been the unattainable match of New
York, He is gentleman in every par
ticular, desirable young man in every
respect, and gifted with everything
young girl would want He has so
much money that you could buy
kingdom and be queen, if you chose
to amuse yourself that way. He has
dignified old family, which makes mere
social position seem like an ignomini-
GUS scramble for cotillion favors; and
it is universally admitted that he is
the most perfect of all the Van Ploons
for many generations. Not exception
ally clever; but that is one of the rea-
sons the Van Ploons are so particular
to find a suitable matrimonial alliance
for him."
Gail, nibbling daintily at her choco-
late, closed her eyelids for a second.
the long, brown lashes curved down on
her cheeks, and from beneath them
there escaped a sparkle like the snap
of live Goals, while the corners of her
lips twitched in that little smile which
she kept for her own enjoyment
You cannot appreciate the compli-
ment which has been paid you, Gail.
Every debutante for the past five
years has been most carefully consid-
cred by the Van Ploons, and | sincere
ly believe this to be the first time
they have unanimously agreed on a
choice. 1t is matter of eugenics, Gail,
but in addition to that, Mr. Van Ploon
assures me that Houston is most fer
vently interested"
How careless of them. criticized
Gail. They have neither asked for
my measurements nor examined my
teeth"
Call" Her chaperOn and sponsor
was both shocked and stern.
y positively decline to even discuss
the Van Ploon eugenics," stated Gail.
pushing aside her chocolates. while
red spot began to appear on her
cheeks. "I shall not, as stated be-
fore, be at home to Houston Van PlOon
this evening-or any other evening"
Il shall not deliver that message"
announced Mrs. Davies, setting her
lips. AS your present sponsor. shall
insist that you take more time to con-
slider a matter so important"
Il shall insist on refusing to con-
slider it for one second" returned Gail
quietly. Il am very fond of Houston
Van Ploon, and 1 hope to remain so.
but l wouldn't marry him under any
circumstances. This is firm. fiat. and
final"
Mrs. Helen Davies dropped patient
reason instantly. She was aware of
an impulsive wish that Gail were in
pinafores, and her own child. 50 she
could box her ears.
Gail, you compel me to lose my pa
tiencei" she declared. When you
came, strained every influence
possessed to have you meet the most
desirable eligibles this big city could
offer. just as if you were my own
daughter! / have succeeded in work
ing miracles! l have given you an
opportunity to interest the very best!
You have interested them, but have
never seen such extravaganza in the
waste of opportunities! You have re-
fused men whom thousands in the
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botanical knowledge. Even Burbank