The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-10-08


settlers droppin' in.
Course, the way Wee and me hap
pen to get counted in is through the
Robert Ellinses, who have sort Of
a blanket invitation to bring along
any of their friends. Mr.. Robert lets
on to find these affairs sort of bore
some, but notice that he drives over
every now and then. Maybe it's on ac-
count of the good billiard games he
gets there, or it might be because Dun
more Hall is one of the few places
where they still serve Scotch and
just as reckless as if the 18th amend
ment had been quashed.
Anyway, it amt five minutes after
I'd remarked about the young lady
with the swingin' stride when drifted
along where Mr.. Robert was decantin'
two fingers of the Haig Brothers cele-
brated brew into tall glass. Having
completed the operation, and added a
little more for good luck, he's about
to press the syphon trigger, when he
chances across the terrace.
"Oh, say!"says he. 'Who do Won
suppose she is, Torchy %
Eh?" says l, followin' his stare.
oh, that one? Just what was ask
in Wee. Odd gated party sort Of a
pacin' racker, eh?'
And as we're watchin, her cross the
lawn toward the tennis courts who
should float out of the house but Mrs,
Oakley Jones.
"Ah, Robert" says she. "Tell me
who is that young woman?"
Mr.. Roberts shrugs his shoulders.
Sorry. Mrs. Jones" says he, "but I
haven't had the pleasure. Not that /
mean to reflect on your efficiency as a
hostess, but it seems to me you
might
Guilty" she breaks in. "And I
promise that you shall meet her before
you go. That is, if / can find out for
myself who she is. One would almost
think could, but thus far no one
seems to know. And really, / would
like to learn a little something about
her.
quite pardonable curiosity, I'm
sure, admits Mr.. Robert.
Thanks awfully says Mrs. Jones.
You've such a sympathetic nature.
And you're SO clever at finding things
out; almost psychic, aren't your"
Absolutely not, Mrs. JONES'" says
Mr.. Robert. 'No, the only departed
spirits ! care to commune with are
these" and he indicated the decanter.
She chuckles and taps him playful
on the arm. what terribly compli-
Gated joke!" says she. Gust for that
] shall commission you to follow this
mysterious young person, find out all
about her, and tell me the whole
story"
"You really wish to know" asks
Mr.. Robert.
She says she does. within the
last hour" goes on Mrs. Jones, 81
have run across her in a dozen differ
ent places in the house and about the
grounds. And always with those curl
GUS blue eyes eagerly looking about,
almost as though she had lost some
hing. Several times have tried to
speak to her, but she has looked right
through and past me. Not that think
she meant to be rude, but she seemed
so absorbed in just gazing around that
she didn't see me. I've not seen her
speaking to anytime else, though, so
II can't feel sighted. And if she
doesn't know anyone here it is high
time she did, At least, she ought to-
know me. See, there she is now;
down there watching the tennis. Do
go and discover her, Robert. Flirt
with her if you like"
Nov that's what call generous"
|says Mr.. Robert, "and if you had not
just promised Teddy Royce that
would follow him to the billiard
ROOM
$50 it is" comes back Mr.. Robert.
"That is why I am delegating my tai
ented private secretary to go, observe
and report. l am willing to stake my
reputation, and his, that within an
hour you will have full information.
Eth, Torchy?"
Course, there's nothing for me to
do but grin and register modesty.
Also to trail of after the unknown
ash blonde. wouldn't say through,
that this is the sort of sleuthin' Pm
any star at. Not that I'm skirt shy
but it's kind of delicate piece OF
work, hailin' young lady guest at a
weekend party and askin' her who
and what It's SO easy for 'em to
counter with a well, what's-that to
Iyou?"
1 Howavar driffc down whera she