South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-22

looked over the list Of her guests But she
reminded herself that she wouldn't need to let
any of them into the secret, or even request
them to be on their best behavior From what
she knew they couldn't possibly be other than
natural-and remarkable Bobbie was in for
eyeopener.
Mary released the part she to play sew
eral times day. She learned to say a phrase
or two that she would have refused to speak in
a play; she cultivated a reckless pose, and she
caught the knack of keeping a cigarette be-
tween her lips even when speaking. There
were moments OF course, when her resolution
threatened to take dive. Mary found
strength in the memory that she was bringing
happiness to her friend.
Yet on the day of the dinner she felt hardly
fit for the part she was to play That was per-
haps accounted for by the fact that she had
been awake half the night, thinking about the
man with the gray eyes Or perhaps it was
that she didn't feel in the mood for the loud
toned optimism of the racecourse gentleman,
or the vulgarity of Miss Golightly. In any case,
Mary was distinctly down. An hour before
dinner she thought how lovely it would be IL
the man she didn't know was coming TO dine
with her instead of the impressionable Bobbie.
Peeplow was the FIRST to arrive He blew
into the house like noisy gust Of wind and
almost dislocated Marys wrist with his hand
shake Clarissa came next. She two-stepped
down the corridor and entered the dining room
on the toes of her left foot
Talk about Pavlowal" shouted PeeplOw
highly delighted
little wave Of disgust ran through Mary,
but she killed it with forced smile Fortu
nately for her she was kept busy during the
next ten minutes, welcoming her guests. BY
half-past seven the only one missing was
Bobbie Mary glanced around the room and
tol5 herself that she had never before enter
tai--7 such a crowd of impossibles Clarissa
and PeepIow were fox-trotting around the table;
Bargman was humping the piano; the choco-
late vendor was singing in a cracked voice
and one or two of the others were stamping
their feet to add to the uproar
Mary's head Was spinning. What if the
MAJ with the gay eyes came in and saw her
friends? OF course it was almost laughter
compelling thought, but for all that she Logan
10 pray for the enc OF the evening and to think
that in a while she would have TO initiate the
behavior and the antics of Peeplow and
Carissa and the rest.
Mr. Cameron" announced the maid unex
pectedly her voice just breaking through the
tumult
Mary turned TO meet the last Of her guests
on the instant her heart stopped beating.
Framed in the doorway was the man she had
been thinking about, the man she did not know.
the man who was so dear TO her. He was
peering at her and at the others through mar
CONSERVATION
was too plain to be mistaken
Mary rooted to the floor. unable 70
move or speak 1t seemed to her that the world
had suddenly tumbled 10 her head. Was
this Bobbe2 Was this the man her friend
loved dearly? Was this the man she was
about TO shock
Cameron broke the spell by stepping forward
and holding out his hand.
Miss Hanson" he exclaimed. His tone was
doubtful.
"Tm-Tm so glad you've come" spluttered
Mary, taking the hand and holding IT, Are
you Bobbie?
That is my first name"
She swayed as he answered. and backed away
TO the wall. wild desire seized her TO clear
the room Of the noisy illDred crowd she had
invited 10 her house. Wasn't this the man she
loved? Hadn't she for weeks given him her
most precious thoughts? Wasn't he the corner
stone OF her finest castle in the air2
OF a sudden her conversation with Thompson.
the author. came back 20 her. She had said
distinctly that she would do anything 20 gain
the love and the admiration OF the man she
wanted. Well. here was the chance. What +.
Mabel Runtley was her friend? What II her
heart was broken? Every woman for herself
That the phrase-the one she had spoken
10 ThompsOn-that thudded in her head
She was "a weak as a child as she took her
place al the table. She realized that Cameron
eyes were upon her. knew too that ne
comparing her behavior with that OF the others.
The love that had settled in her heart whis-
pered 70 her 10 look after herself
Put on your sweetest smile" said the voice.
Show him that you are above your company,