Evening star., 1921-12-13
MOVING MOODS.
USUALLY Merriam Lindsay en-
joyed unexpected Sunday
night company. Because she

loved unexpected Sunday
night company. Because she
always expected 1t! She
didn't mind in the least because her
John teased her by saying that her
impromptu suppers wer like orators
impromptu speeches-carefully pre-
pared in advance.
She had acquired technic A pan
of something ready to slip into a hot
oven, plenty of cold meat, the max
ings Of q gorgeous bowl OF salad.
She could set table while she vas vas
pretending to look for cigarettes; Sne
adored the moment when tantalizing
odors seeped through from the pantry
to make the mems eyes brighten.
ITS my one talent" she would would
laugh when her surprised visitors
| But she was frowning one Sunday
evening when she saw her COUSIN,
cecily Leland swinging up tho path
with Richard Slocum in tow.
Not enough food? Want me to go
|delicatessing?" Johns quick whisper
Heaps of food just thought be-
ing alone fun" Which made John
ouddle her fingers surrepdtiously as
he held out a welcoming hand toward
his boss
Merriam herself breathed a sigh Of
relief when the Grahams' car drew
in behind Richards smart roadster
ten minutes later. She had dreaded
foursome evening. She knew that
John and Cecily, who liked each other
not at all. were bound to engage in
continuous argument and that Rich
ard would be left for her to enter
tain. Richards attitude toward her
in these trying days made Merriam
decidedly uneasy. He was obviously
holding himself in check.
Putnam and Leila Graham's arrival
simplified things. Leila was a flip.
pant young person. who always had
new fad. She kept them all laugh
ing throughout the rather hilarious
suppertime. Her husband. middle
aged and paunchy. watched her with
the irritating complacency with which
a wealthy man gazes upon anything
cost him a great deal to divorce an
irate middle-aged first wife so that
he could marry the amusing Leila.
The whole party responded to
Leila's gayety except Richard. He
sat in a shadowy corner. watching
that young matron could endure 1t no
She jumped up Quickly. arms
akimbo. with q speculative glance at
the massive sideboard that had de-
scended to her from a great-grand-
to the bare wall space opposite.
John grinned.
Gall right. lady" he said: with mock
humility. 'Thanks for getting the
yen whilst there are strong men
around to aid me-"
what on earth are you talking
about? Cecily demanded.
ssMerry has furniture.moving
"she didn't say So"
II know that CLEAN In her eye;"'
John John, Il. la.ghsd eS %n,1 never can aca ten
nize it when I see It coming" he be:
gan calmly taking of his coat and
rolling up his shirt sleeves. "Is. tho
rest of her family that way?" he
asked Cecily facetiously. '"The only
SS know ona Ts sss1 are my <s %ois s
MERCY" drawled the tall cecily. 7
never ,., even thought OF changing
Get "! Your 'es; coat off. slocum." John
advised Richard. t"she won't stop with
Just the sideboard. Could you give us
hand. Graham?''
"He could not" Leila put protect
ing hand over her husband: He
sit and h.Snvdd smoke n hi; cigar d91s
furniture but mine"
"Oh no! So you do 1t, toor' John
"Do itr' punred her adoring spouse.
II should say she does. I've known
her to call me at. o'clock In the
morning, saying she wanted her bed
showed over nearer to the window.
and then we have to move the Dress
ing table, and then"
'Is you mother large and placid,
and does she have rather spindly lit
tie furniture that you can lift with
one hand?" Leila interrupted.
'How did you know?" asked John
with amazement did Merriam tell
vou?'
Leila shook her head. 3.
IT just knew 1t. There are only
two sorts Of women-the large. placid
kind. who like little furniture that
they could move with one hand. and
the little. temperamental kind. that
like great big furniture, You sec,
there's never any temptation to move
little stun. Anybody can do that
Feel that way about men. too.
Leila7" Cecily's ironical voice. took Up
the absurd argument. "Do large.
placed women marry. little men ana
leays themrto thar evn devices but