The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-04-12
Love PRO TEN
BY JOHN GREGORY.

Mona said it served her perfectly
right Mona was eighteen, still in
school, still with ideals that touched
the stars frequently. She could not
understand now anything could excuse
petty jealousy-that is. between en-
gagged persons.
I'm frankly, quite frankly, ashamed
of you, Margaret" she said in her
funny, decisive way, as they motored
back from the Fenways. Jerry is just
as considerate and nice as he can be,
and you really are fearfully unreason-
able. AS / understand 1T, he and Miss
Douglass were acquainted long before
he met you, and it was natural for him
to talk with her after she had been
away so long"
81 have no objection to Jerry's talk
ing with his old friends" Margaret had
answered frlgidly.
"Jerry saw right through 1t, though.
You should have seen his face when
he stood behind you and heard you
tell Mrs. Fenway you had been called
home Unexpectedly. I don't blame him
one bit for staying"
"No one asked him to stay"
"But what are you going to do?"
'I'm going into town to stay with
Teresa. She's giving box party to-
night, and has reception tomorrow
for Nine. Cardonza."
"And Andy Forbes will be there"
Mona fairly glared down at the utterly
innocent face beside her. 81 shall go.
too. / shall go just to chaperon you"
When they arrived at Teresa's pretty
home, she let Margaret absorb their
hostess, and marshalled her plan for
campaign. First of ALL she called up
the Fenways, and had nice, comrade-
ly chat with Jerry. He was hard to
manage. Margaret had acted ridicu-
lousy, he said, and with objectionable
rudeness to Mrs. Fenway. Miss Doug
lass had not remained over for the
weekend at all. She was going on to
the city.
With his promise to come in, at
least for the last act, Mona turned her
attention to Andy.
SIN Margaret Everden's sister," she
said over the telephone. "What? Yes,
the youngest, Mona. Gould you come
up to Mrs. Brooke's please; just
for few moments-yes, right away,
please, and ask for me. It's very i'm
portant."
Andy was twenty-five, three years
younger than Margaret, four years old
er than Mona. Those four years al
tered the mental perspective, Mona al
most deferred to his opinions.
"You see Margaret is temperament
al, and II will take firmness and pa
thence this time to keep her in line.
I knew you'd understand, and Jerry's
splendid fellow.
"Bully," assented Andy, looking at
her admiringly.
$50, thought If we'd make believe
that we were tremendously struck with
each other-just for Tonight would
help Jerry's case-don't you think
so?"
Mona went back alone to the house,
slipped quietly upstairs to her ROOM
and dressed for dinner. And when Mr..
Forbes arrived she met him demure-
ly, as became a younger sister who
was not even q debutante yet. Mar
garet gave him her hand lingeringly.
candy, boy, you don't know how
good it Is to see you again"
"It Is, isn't it," Andy laughed. "Fine.
Why didn't you tell me you had such
a girl for slster?"
And all through dinner there was
the puzzled look in Margaret's eyes,
and little wistful droop to her lips.
Already she began to feel the tug of
regret. Andy, sitting next to her,
was having. a perfectly wonderful
time talking to Mona across the CEN
terplece Of mauve orchids and ferns.
Later, he was by her side at the box
party, and Mona had never looked so
attractive.
All at once Mona glanced at the
second box opposite where some late
corners had just filed. in. Nan Doug
lass was among them, tall and radi-
ant, and behind her was middle
aged man, with a decidedly dlstin-
guished air.
"Thats Taller Phelps, the new min
lister to Bolivia" Andy whispered over
her shoulder. They're to be married
at Easter"
"They are?" Nona's smile was de-
llcious as she turned to look at him.
"Thats the girl | was telling you
about. And this is all for nothing,
then. There isn't bit Of danger"
81 think there's plenty for me-" said
Andy, bit soberly.
"But It's only for tonight" Mona as
sured him. Nobody will ever find out
we put 1t up" She leaned over to
tell Margaret the news of the engage
ment, but Margaret's eyes were cold.
Mona turned back with sigh. "You
know ] don't believe I'm diplomat at
ALL" she told Andy ruefully.
"Youre darling" he said fervent-
ly. "I'm not going to be dropped after
tonight. want to see you and know
you. Jerry and l are college mates.
I'll get him on my side. Do you
mindp
There was a movement at the back
Of their box. Mona saw Jerry enter
Ing, looking decidedly fit In his eve
ming clothes his eyes seeking Mar
garet. And surely there was relief
in hers as she welcomed him.