The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-11-16
Grace's Retieence
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! taken in conversation and Grace did
/ MT take it the failure was merely be
| cause she wasn't anywhere around
J from the time she was an infant and
took the part of Cinderella, while all
the other children were mere fairies
10 the time she led the grand march
with the most sought young man and
was leading lady in the class play,
Grace had never known from near
view what the background locked like.
So when she came back from her va
cation and began to fulfill her social
duties her friends sat back in amaze
ment, for something had assuredly
happened to Grace.
The whole set had begun to grow
rather impatient for Grace to open Up
the season with her usual party. No
enc dreamed of taking from her the
glory of the first function, for hereto
fore she had been SO prompt. but time
was flying and there had not been tie
ghost Of an announcement.
1t grew so bad that finally one u
the girls decided that she'd give .
small luncheon and invite Grace and
a few of Grace's most intimate friends
and try to find the trouble.
Grace arrived at the luncheon and
after quietly greeting the girls settled
back in a chair in complete silence.
"My isn't it late in the season!" tx
claimed Frances, adding with wonder
full originality, How time does fly"
Then she went on: NEARLY two
months have passed and nothing OK
citing has happened yet" She paused
and glanced coyertly at Grace. But
Grace made no reply, tho she had
leaned forward attentiyely as Frances
spoke.
I'VE ought to begin things pretty
soon," declared Viola, daringly speak
ing almost directly to Grace, who
,hereupon turned her whole attention
to Viola, with so eager an expression
that young woman relapsed into ST.
Ience in sheer establishment. To have
Grace listen to you in that intense
way was disconcerting, to say the
least, and Viola was naturally a piece
u the background and much preferred
its safe obscurity.
Several others offered their CONVEX.
sational contributions to the general
cause. But it was difficult to talk at
Crace-to hint gcntly-when Grace
herself sat with her eyes fastened nm
nlinkingly on the speaker, as tho her
Very soul thirsted for every spoken
word.
!. a.Don't you think" began Bessie,
giancing around in a general sort II
way until her gaze fell on Grare's RAFT
.countenance turned full upon her.
Then the carefully thought out SEN
tence fled from her mind and she stop
ped. s'%
For sometseconds eve:y one sat still,
each waiting for some one else to
sneak, and all CHANGING wonderlngly at
Grace
Finally Grace spoke: do tell VS.
about your vacation!' she urged Viola.
Viola colored and stammered. Then
she laughed What on earth is the
inatter?" she demanded of Grace. "You
lcnow, l didn't go away at all--and &c
had gene away it would be rather
late to inquire so solicitously about a
summer vacation two months after it
was over"
II should say so!" exclaimed
Frances, gaining courage from the Or
dinarily timid Viola. Tell us what on
earth is the matter"
Grace swallowed hard. "I-I-''
she began. ooh please let me alone,"
she finished desperately, if somewhat
Iudely.
Are you COINS to give the first par
ty, or can II" inquired Bessie, with a
show of Impotence.
Her Impotence passed into amaze
ment as Grace resumed her smile Of
interest and replied: ooh, Bessie you
give such charming luncheons! Do
give the first one. won't your"
Then it was that Sally rose to the
occasion. For goodness sake!" she OK
claimed rising and standing before
Grace, 81 implore you to deliver us
from this mystery. What on earth mas
lappened?''o
Grace wilted ooh, girls" she said
from the depths of her handkerchief,
you've got to help me. 1-I-didn't
know was SO dreadful But it's per.
feet agony-and you make it so much
harder. I've got TO overcome myself
1--WE got TO forget myself-to be inter
csted in every one else. and not to talk
/. bit about me. And here you won't
talk at all! When want to follow,
you all stand still for me to lead
you see, 1m-l'm- going to marry
minister, and you know how minis
ters' wives have TO be-and I'm learn
ing how. It'll be wonderful the result,
ne says-but, oh, it's awful"
She wiped her eyes sheepishly and
turned to Sally. sally, dear" she beg
sed, trying to smile. won't you tell
us-tell us about that cunning nephew
Of yours?"