Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-07-27
The Woman Who Changed
( *s 4 ~** x 4
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER CXL.

l
this morning, so please do not thinl
of me. Just let me take care of my
SELF
l was wondering how I should en-
tertain her, and also attend to my
plans for my dinner party. He
thoughtfulness left me free. And yet
did not exactly like to feel that she
had nothing to do all the morning.
81 have some things to attend to,
admitted, "but, instead of remain
ing in, wouldn't you like to have the
car and take a ride?"
Yes, thank you, 1 should enjoy il
very much. Do you suppose Mrs
Reeves would lend me your little name
sake for an hour?'
''Indeed she wOuld!' [ replied
pleased that Mrs Babcock should pro
pose it. "Perhaps Evelyn would 60
too, if you would care to have her?''
'That would be delightful
Immediately telephoned Evelyn
and she gladly accepted Mrs. Bah
cocks invitation.
"She is so lovely, and haven't q
thing to keep me at home, this morn
ing, y Evelyn replied.
After Mrs. Babcock had gone, l
went into the kitchen and Mary and
| discussed the dinner Of course
everything was practically ready, but
| was leaving nothing to chance. 1t
must be as perfect as possible.
GEORGE TELEPHONES.
Just as the flowers came, George
telephoned:
Julia Collins is back! Hadn t you
better ask herr"
"But, George-my plans are all
made-the table >
II think you had better ask herl
The table can easily be extended. If
it makes an odd number, get Gray
too.'
Very well, l will call her up" l
turned from the telephone rebellious-
ly. | didn't want Julia Collins. My
list was very complete, with just the
people | thought Mr.. and Mrs. Bah
cock would enpoy meeting, or those
whom, for business reasons, we were
inviting
at S pity she couldn t have stayed
away until after it was over" l said
to myself, as l gave central her num-
ber.
81 am giving dinner tonight, Mrs.
Collins l just heard you had returned.
If you will accept this eleventh-hour
invitation, | should like you to come. b"
"Indeed l will and thank you. 1t
was good of you to ask me. "
With the feeling of distasteful
duty done, l then called up Merton
Gray.
"0h, Merton, will you be real good
to me again, and come to dinner to-
nighte | didn t mean to have you;
have invited an entirely different
set Older people, most of them. But
Julia Collins has come back; she knows
the Babeoeks, and want you to come
to make an even number.
81 am at your disposal fair lady,
l feel | owe Mrs. Collins a vote of
thanks for coming home and, so, Sc
curing me the invitation.
A PERFECT DINNER.
The day flew by on wings, so busy
was T. My dinner was to be at eight
o clock. When / went into the dining
room for the last time before | went
up to dress, it looked so lovely that
| could not repress an exclamation of
delight.
cit is charming" George said. I j
had not known he was behind me,
and was so startled. 81 am growing !
very proud of you"
"Wait until you see the billsl" I
said gayly. I felt happy, through ano (
through. His praise meant so much |
TO me.
Ny guests all arrived on time, and |
my dinner was a perfect success. Not
1 hitch anywhere. / had enlisted {
Masy's best efforts by telling her 1t
would react on me, if everything was
lot Just as it should be; and | haG
nut James on his mettle by praising
he service at Mrs, Babcock's homo.
George fairly -beamed, all thru the
neal. l never had seen him more
gracious, more entertaining. He was
/ perfect host, at all times; yet to-
light l thought detected something
! little different in him and it puz-
led me-until it came to me, all sud
lenly, that it was something in his
attitude toward me. the hostess. A
lem Difference, q pride he never had
hown so plainly before. Every one
lse was so gay as well, that forgot
ny animosity toward Julia Collins and
augbed at her witticisms as heartily
S the rest.
''You certainly are a wonderful
Iostess, she whispered as we rose
rom the table, leaving the men to
moke and talk business if they
sished, "I am quite jealous Of you. ="
l thought it only fair; I had al
fays been jealous Of her. Bat l only
miled and assured her that l should
ever usurp her place.
The dinner guests all left about
lidnight When We were at last
lone, George kissed me and said:
Your dinner, everything, went off
l can see that you are go
ng to shine as a hostess. / was de-
GIFTED with you and all that you did,"
'OMoRR0w-ALONE ONCE MORE.
Z