Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-01-22
Margaret CARROTS
Husband
MARGARET MEETS CHARLOTTE
KEATING.
CHAPTER CXVT.
By JANE PRELPS
X X X X X 4 X X X X X X

CHAPTER CXVI.
The next morning we could talk o1
nothing but "Donald's prank" as his
father called it. had forgotten that FL
sic g dinner was to be that night unit
Bob spoke of it as he was leaving.
81 ii be home early to dress,0 he
said.
Dress"' asked, just for moment
Forgetting my determination not to ask
questions.
yes, for Elsie 8 dinner. You hadn y
forgotten it had you?"
II certainly had Donald IS perfor
nance last night has driven everything
out of my mind.
Bob had not been gone long when
Elsie telephoned.
Say, Margaret, [ am to have an ex
ira guest. Do you think that nice Mr.
Lansing would come on such short no
tice?"
II think 50. He's very agreeable
Who the lady Elsie? Do l know her9''
No, [ think not! She s from the
west. John Kendall knows her and asked
if he might bring her. l understood him
to say Bob had also met her. Her name
.is Charlotte Keating. A writer or some
thing of the sort. Please give me Mr..
Lansing s address. If he won It come l
must find someone else. can t have my
dinner party spoiled because of an UNI
even number"
A few months, yes weeks before l
should have offered to remain at home,
so not interfering with Elsie S plans
but now l said nothing. 1t was not that
1 was yet anxious for the gayety; it
was that l did not intend to let one
single chance to show Bob that [ could
appear well slip by me.
AS had become my custom when GO
ing anywhere | slipped into. the city
and to the beauty parlors. Then my nap
before | commenced to dress. was all
ready but my Dress when Bob came
in.
"Not dressed yet7''
"No, but l shall be ready as soon as
you are" l answered as he disappeared
into the bath room.
called Nellie to help me dress. had
to tell her to keep still or Bob would
be out to see what she was making such
a fuss about.
My dress seemed even more lovely
than it had when | tried it on before.
The stockings and satin slippers of the
same blush lavender were perfect
match, and added much to the effect of
the costume. was so excited that I
could scarcely stand still to be hooked.
What would Bob say when he saw me 2
90 Most ready, Margaret /" he called
after a moment.
''All ready and waiting.'
The door opened and Bob gave one
long whistle of surprise. Pleased sur
prised thought and-hoped.
"My but we are fine tonight That IS
a gorgeous costume, and very becoming.
You better take Elsie with you hereaf-
ter to buy your clothes"
was pleased at his evident approval;
but silly enough to fee bit hurt be-
cause he gave Elsie all the credit.
We were little early, but we knew
Elsie so well that we went directly
from the train there. She insisted that
she was delighted because we could
help her receive the other guests.
"I'm especially glad Bob because [
am to have a friend of yours and
haven t met her YET"
{" A friend of mine whom you have
n t met! Is that possible?" Bob joking
ly replied.
eyes, Miss Heating from Chiea-
60"
don't know just why I did it, but
l was watching Bob closely as Elsie
the fact that she had friend
of his coming to dinner. [ was amazed
to see the way he received the news
He grew red, then white. So white that
l involuntarily moved to his side. He
recovered himself, but with an evident
effort.
"Margaret said nothing of her when
she mentioned the other guests" he
said without even glancing at me.
Z" / never knew it until this morning
and had forgotten all about it, made
quick reply.
Someway my heart fell. I felt a pre-
monition of coming evil. But 1 put it
from me and spoke quietly and calmly
when Elsie introduced Miss Heating:
Mrs. Garret, Miss Keating, 1 be-
lieve You and Mr.. Garrett have met, -
Elsie said then moved toward other
guests.
I" How do you dol - Bob said, the trite
NoruS IN MS uSual voice, Dut the Stfaln-
ed look the flush, then the whitening
of his face proved more than his man
ner and words intended. Again my heart
sank, and a feeling that in some way
this woman was to hurt me swept over
me.
"This is a pleasure" she murmured
in response to Bob's greeting, and
noted that her voice was low and musi-
cal. 1 moved away to speak to John
Kendall. I had seen look flash into
Bob's eyes at her RESPONSE look
never had seen there before.
(TomOrrow-Elsie' S Party)