The Monticellonian., 1919-02-14
CHAPTER |.

As usual nowadays. instead of knocking at the door Fate called up on the telephone.
 Though the bell shrilled almost in Mrs. Rips ear she would not answer It. She winced shook her head. agi tated her rocking chair with petulance. embroidered yindietiyely, and hardly so much called out as sighed very loudly toward the hallway:
 Daphne! Ooh, Daphne the tele- phone again -
 On the stairs there sounded untitled scurry like the rush of an April shower chased down hillside by the sun. An allegory of April dart cd across the room and raised the tel ephone to her lips as If it were Il beaker of good cheer.
 Her mother was used to this humor of Daphne's and paid no heed till II sudden frost chilled the warm tone of the girls voice. The smile of hospi- tality wasted on the telephone had given place to q look of embarrass- ment.
 
 is it?"
 Daphne motioned her not to inter rupt, and her voice grew deep and important It became what her brother Rayard called her reception voice. h her grandest contralto she said:
 This is Miss Kip. Yes, I have. Yes, he does. l beg pardon? Oh oh! Oh !! IT T d. NJ
 "Mr Who?" her mother keened
 Daphne whispered to quiet her, "A young man from New York-friend of Bayard' s-same office. l haven't got his name yet"
 Into the telephone she was saying. and lowing and nodding the while with her politest face. Indeed I'll try to be. Of course Cleveland's not New York, but By the way do you dance? That's good. That's right 1: might as we'll be deaf if you don't ! How long will you be in Cleveland? Oh. is that all? Well. then. you must come out here and have tea with us this very afternoon. I'll call for you ,at the hotel in my little ear. No: it's not one of those; it's m electric. run it myself. Afraid to risk it? Brave man I'll be there in fifteen minutes. and you might be on the steps. Goodby. Mir Wmbwm."
 This last was said in the fond tone of ancient friendship, and she hung up the receiver with a gesture like shaking hands.
 She turned to find her mother thin. ming her lips in a long, tight line; her cheeks bulged explosively. Daphne forestalled her:
 Hes young fellow in the same firm as Bayard. Says he's here on business for ten days. Bayard told nice to him. That sounds like By. Also said he hadn't time to write. That sounds like- still. Bayard told him fo kiss you for him. so he must be ali right. l was going to take him to the hotel to q tea-dance, but thought I'd better give him look-over first So I'll roll him out here. Get cut the nice china and the napkins l mono. grammed and"
 But, Dapnne Watt ! can't"
 .I haven't time to argue with you mamma. Please dc as I tell you for once, and don't fuss, Mir. Wmbwm will probably have lot of news tt tell you about your prodigal son G'by !"
 She popped a kiss on the forehead that anxiety had turned to corduroy and ran upstairs like another Apri shower chasing the sun uphill. Sh, dashed down again with hat anC gloves. and. with nose repowdered slammed the front door gayly thrummed the steps, and strode acroS, the long lawn to the little electric cal standing unaer the porte cochere. Tn, ear was very large for beetle bu pretty small for an automobile