Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-03-13
THE DAY OF THE PARTY
CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER XIV
The day of the party l woke early.
l was as excited as if | were giving
the birthday dinner instead of Evelyn.
Mrs. Sexton was due at ten CLOCK
which rather ~disgusted me, but even
she couLdn t quite quench my high
spirits.
"Have poise, my dear Mrs. Howard.
popular woman she told me that
altho | pretended to. / was sure she
reported to George, and 1 was not
anxious for a scolding.
After she left | flew upstairs and
laid u everything [ should wear. |
should have to dress early as George
would come home to see that l would
not disgrace him by not being proper
ly gowned. l suppose l should have
felt flattered, but [ didn't one bit. I
knew he was going back to the cub to
dinner, and it seemed so silly for him
to come way home just to criticize me.
After luncheon I went shopping and
bought some fresh gloves and slippers.
Sc that he could have no possible
cause to tell me / was not fit.
Then l lay down for an hour before
[ bathed and dressed. l was all ready
however when George came in about
six clock. The dinner was at seven.
George said it was outrageously early,
but [ thought it just the right hour,
l got so hungry when | waited until
eight o'elock for dinner, as we had to
at Mrs. Loring's. l..
George Approves
eyes, you'n do very well, " he said
as 1 ran down the stairs. ct think
you look better in it thar you did
when you wore it before. Your hair is
dressed more becomingly perhaps"
mo, just the same l answered;
and thought | could tell him if I would
why | looked better. 1t was because |
was happier. Then I had been fright
ened, awed because of the kind of peo-
pie | was to meet. Now l knew they
were all young happy things like my
self. and then Merton Gray was to be
there too.
"Iu wait and drive down with
you" George said.
cob, that viii be lovelyl'' 1 ex-
claimed. alt will almost seem as if
you were going and l smiled hap
PLY at him.
He bent down and kissed my lips.
1t was such little things he did when
least expected that kept my love alive.
Had he not occasionally shown some
feeling | am sure it would have died
out almost as soon as l was alone with
him.
But had learned not to be demon
s~trative when he gave me any sore of
a careSs, so now l just patted his arm
c~ontentedly and sat quietly reading I'M
til it was time to 60.
George wrapped me in the same love
ly blue cloak | had worn to Mrs. Lor-
ing's, and after we were in the car
and l laid my hand on his knee he
took it in his and held it all the way
to Evelyn 5.
~ am so sorry you aren' t COM
ing 1 said as he helped me out, and
l meant it. 1 was sorry then; later l
knew he wouldn't have enjoyed the
evening, and probably would have
spoiled it for me. We were altogether
too hilarious to please him, too natural
The Guests Arrive
I was a little early. l had promised
Evelyn l would be, but early as l was,
Merton Gray was but a few minutes
later.
This is indeed a pleasure, :" he said
as we shock hands. Il hope I may be
able to console you for your husband
absence
'0h, yes you willl'' I exclaimed,
then blushed crimson to think how it
sounded.
"Never mind. I know what you
meant. He eouldn I come, SO you have
made up your mind TO be pleased with
his substitute.
Wasn't it wonderful, I thought. how
easily he understood. me. how he knew
inst what to say to make me comfort
able
But the other guests came directly
and I was carried away by Evelyn to
be introduced.
There was a Mr. and Mrs. Rivers. a
charming Young couple; her name was
Olive, Olive Rivers; his was Peter. l
thought it so queer@P Peter Rivers
lit didnt sound nice at all, but af-
terward il seemed as if no other name
would ever have been half so distinct
i've. Then a Miss Mabel Pratt, and
Hugh Emery, then Dick Carter and his
cute little wife Lilly, and the two Law