Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-05-21

l dressed as carefully as | ever had
in my life. l knew Blanche Orton's
fondness for dress, her exquisite if
sometimes bizarre taste. l would look
as well as possible. | allowed myself
just time to reach there by seven
O'Clock, as 1 judged that would be
her dinner hour. l did not take the car
but walked to the corner and hailed
a passing taxi I would take no one
not even the chauffeur, into my con-
fidence.
AS l rang the bell l trembled so
could scarcely stand. When the maid
opened the door and the sound of
laughter and voices nearly caused me
to turn and flee. But | had come for
a purpose-to help Neil Had it been
for any other reason under the sun
l could not have gone through with
it. But the thought of Neil gave me
courage.
go right upstairs, please, and lay
off your things" the maid said. She, of
course had not recognized me and
thought me one of the invited guests.
l walked slowly up the stairs. I
laid aside my cloak, then walked even
more slowly down again. Blanche Or
ton came into the hall just as l
reached and l Immediately spoke to
her:
you will forgive me for intruding
won't you Mrs. Orton?" l asked in
my most gracious tones. But I
know Neil often comes to you for help
in his business. l do so want TO help
him also so as l knew you were to
have a dinner tonight-a business
dinner, I could not have intruded up
on a social affair, I determined to
come and ask you to give me lesson
in helping my husband. You see | was
foolish. | did not care for some of the
men he wished to entertain so he did
not compel me to receive them. I am
sorry now. Will you help me retrieve
my error?" l was not at all what
had intended to say; not at all what
ed to come of their own volition.
Mrs. orion had first looked sur
prised, then a look of something near
chagrin crossed her face, then, to my
surprise one of pity. 1 was totally
unprepared for her answer:
d Indeed l will help you all 1 can.
You are very brave to acknowledge
your mistake. Don't let anyone know
I did not invite you. l will say l tel
ephoned you to join u.s.
AS 1 followed her into the room
where her guests were assembled,
thought of the old saying that there
is some good in the worst of u.s.. She
mad risen to the occasion and to my
help wonderfully. She could make
any explanation she saw fit of my
presence. My greatest cause of embar-
rassment was gone-that it would be
known that [ had joined them with
out an invitation. and that Neil might
think l was spying upon him.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me in
troduce Mrs. Forbes. Aren't you sur,
prised Neil? | thought it was time your
wife joined us and looked after you.
You might get too fond of me you
know" Her voice sounded bit strain
ed; her speech labOred and unlike her
usual easy nOchalance. But no one
seemed to notice, and altho Neil look
ed absolutely dumbfounded he an
swered in a facetious manner when
she said, You tell her who the peo-
pie are Neil. She already knows Mr..
Frederick l had not noticed him until
she spoke. In fact the room and every
one in it all save Neil was blur. But
as she mentioned Frederick's name
wave of gladness rushed over me.
If he were there l should not be afraid
or SO alone.
81 knew your would come" he said
very low as he Immediately crossed
to me. You intended to when you tel
ephoned me-"
| And you came because you knew
I" l stopped short for two reasons.
| One that | was taking good deal for
granted and letting him see it. The
other because Neil was presenting
Mr.. Tearle, then Mr.. Connor. Scott
was not there but Mr.. Thompson came
in later. These with two women, over
/ dressed ordinary women who seemed
| ill at ease until after the wine was
served when they were very talkative
and very gay. 1 never had met women
of their type before and it was as
hard, even harder to talk to them than
to Tearle and Conner. But l had come
to help Neil, so while refusing tc
take any wine. | chatted with each oi
them in turn until the conversation
turned upon some mining proposition
Then | listened.
Tomorrow-Neil suggests that Barba,
"a leave early.
Ask for Chero Cola at founts
There's none so good. ct