South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-13


was absurdiy grateful 20 me. For
several weeks 1 had felt old, very
much married and settled" Youth.
gayety, seemed 10 be slipping from
me. Not happiness was not NOR
bid enough 10 feel that / was losing
that, but I had the distinct sense
OF belonging TO an older generation,
and the idea was most unpalata BILE.
- IL had taken me some time 10 dis
Germ the reason for my feeling.
Then I had realized that the pres
ence frst OF Bess Dean and then Of
Rita Brown on my social horizon
was the cause OF my vague discon-
tent. Both have the faculty Of max
ing other women thoroughly un-
comfortable and they exercise their
skill. most relentlessly, especially
when there are attractive men in
the offing.
had been vaguely distrait-un-
easy. even as dressed-because OF
the knowledge that Rita Brown was
one OF the merry party summoning
me. I had no reason for my feel
ing 80 far as Dicky was concerned.
for he had expressed his disgust
with Rita freely and frankly at the
time OF the distressing incident at
The Sand Pile" But, ab6urdly
GrOukns dreaded 70 De one OF any
party OF which Rita Brown was q
member. because, in some indefin-
able manner, she managed TO rele-
gate me to the same region Of late
middle-ase to which little Mrs. Dur
kee belongs.
Katie's words. therefore, were Just
the hllip my spirits needed. My lit
tie maid Is too guileless a soul TO
say things she doesn't mean, and I
knew that her little paean OF praise
came from her heart. 1 could not
resist snatching a last glance at my
mirror as I left the room, and my
vanity thrilled 70 the thought that
whether or not Raties prediction as
20 'joost knocking the spots Off
Rita Brown came true. at least had
the satisfaction Of knowing that MY
gown was unusually becoming and
that / was looking my best
1 found an excited group waiting
for me when reached the lawn be-
low. Diclky and Alfred Durkee. in
the background, were gTinning
with the sheepish air which
the most sophisticated men some
times assume when they have
sprung a pleasant surprise upon
their womankind. Little Mrs. Dur
kee was fairly dancing up and down
with glee-She is the most naive,
child-like soul when she is pleased
OF any woman I KNOXVILLE Rita
Brown and the Fairfax girls plainly
betrayed their pleasureable excite
nlent.
oh. Madge!" MIS-. Durkee CAROL
"a. You never can guess what
these reckless boys have brought
home"
IN grant that at once" I re-
turned. smiling. I'm probably the
most wretched 'guesseP in the
world"
Come along, then. we'll lead you
10 IT," Alfred Durkee announced.
gayly. Offering his arm with grand
iUse courtesy.
Get of the reservation" Dicky
Erowled with mock surliness. you
act as II this were all your own sur
prise. Remember the thing is half
mine. Indeed. 1 think / paid S2.4g
more than you did on It. at that.
III exhibit IL TO my own wife, my
}. own self. II you please"
What wonderful devOtiOnr Rita
Browns laughing words held
palpable sneer. "W hy don't you
Iindfold her so that the full glory
Uf the surprise shall burst upon her
at once2"
Her tone and manner we're the
clever. subtle fashion they 5elittled
the surprise the men had brought,
the fuss that was being made over
IT, and Dicky's anxiety 10 show IL to
me. l felt-and was furious at my
self for allowing myself 10 be af-
fected by the girls airs-that we
were acting like set OF silly, en-
Ihusiastic children while Rita
brown looked down at us teeringly
Of nrfrf Id "
wisdom.
That's a corking good idea, Rita"
Dicky spoke with such cordial
heartiness in answer to Rita Brown
sneering suggestion that l be blind
folded In order 10 be more COM
Ilstely surprised by whatever the
boys had brought from the city that
for a moment 1 thought he didn't
realize the girls real motive, her at
tempt 20 make us all appear absurd
Then, as he approached me, pulling
one OF the extra handkerchiefs which
he always carries from his pocket,
his left eyelid dropped 10 his cheek
IN a prolonged wink, while his face
vas flled with inisChievous under
standing.
Ny spirits bounded at the smile OF
COmradely comprehension that
beamed at me as he fourished the
a
relegated Rita Brown 10 the neither
most outland.
The Surprise Revealed.
Now I've got you where you'll
stand without hibching." he declared
merriIy. as he turned me around. ad-
tusted the dkerchief, and then,
slipping his hand under my arm,
|. guided my footsteps across the lawn
j knew that we were going in the
general direction OF the Durkee
home, and was not surprised when
my feet struck the gravel OF the
old-faShioned carriage drive which
winds around the house.
We had been surrounded on our
brief journey by the others, and
laughing admonitions 20 Dicky few
thick and fast when he finally stop
ped.
Not that wayl"
You're half a mile on your
course. Turn so by sou'west"
Turn her 50 that she'll see il
first thing"
Don't make her hunt for IT,"
Only Rita Browns voice was 81
lent I could visualize through my
combining handkerchief. the ironicaI
superior smiIc her face was wearing.
Who's doing this?" Dicky de-