The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-02-23
Chapter III
EXCITED PLANS

was plunged into a perfect whirl-
pool of excitement from the day after
my return home.
AS he had promised, Francis brought
his car around the next afternoon to
take me to his Mothers to dinner. We
fingered for perhaps a few moments
in my little living room, for there
were so many things to talk about
and it was charming to talk while
Francis held my hands or his arms
were around me.
had already put on my best satin
dress-noticing with some concern
that it was wearing out and that no
amount of mending and pressing and
sponging would quite overcome the in
creasing shabbiness. However, when
l had carefully dressed my hair, and
had even waved it slightly felt
could face his Mother with more as
surance with my hair waved felt
satisfied with my appearance.
And you look lovelier every time I
see YOU" my lover said after l had
greeted him.
Wen take little spin first" Fran
els announced as he got into the car
beside me.
leaned back in the luxurious car
with a sigh Of pure content and happi.
ness. Aside from the wonder of hav-
ing Francis himself, there was always
the wonder of being part of this lux.
TRY. this beauty, this ease of life.
This is your car if you want IT,
Francis said as we drove along. 81
can get another for my own use, or
else have Brace drive me to the Office
in this every day, and come home in a
taxi"
Don't get another car" l said
aShast at such extravaganza. "I'n
come to the Office for you every after
noon.
Francis laughed indulgently
$50 you think. my dear, and so you
will for a few months. Then you'll
find there are so many calls and lunch
cons and teas that you'll not have
time for poor me-"
turned to protest Then though,
over what he said.
"Luncheons and teas with youl
friends! Will they like me? I've sc
much to learn about the social part OF
it, Dear-I'm rather frightened about
that"
"You needn't be- And Mother will
help you in that-yes, she will. don''
look incredulous. She'll begin on yor
He stopped the car before house
on Sixty-ninth Street, recognized il
as one we had looked at casually be
fore. Once one of the brownstone
fronts that deluged this part of the
city, this special house had been done
over in most artistic way. Red brick
made a new front, and better-lookins
one, and larger windows with loaded
glass panes gave it a cheerful air tina
the other houses did not possess. L
was only a few doors from Fifth Ave
nue. and the Park.
Your new home, madam" Francis
announced, helping me out of the car
gave a little gasp of excitement
] knew, of course, that we were tt
have this place-but l did not know
low much it had been done over. My
excitement increased as we went into
1.-THE ornate woodwork had beer
ripped out and replaced by a simpler
style; the fireplaces had English man
tells of a century-old period; all the
woodwork glowed with ivory white
enamel.
That's all wanted to do to the
place." he said. when we come back
you can choose the color combinations
Z the papers and hangings and all thu
rest or IL. LOOK neTe-llllS lS Ou
suite. Do you like it,"
I turned to him, and nodded m,
head. could not trust myself t.
speak at just that instant. For there
were some things that we're beyont
words, and some forms of happiness
that could only be expressed il
silence.
Mrs. Meade had evidently made NJ
her mind to make the best Of a sit
uation she would not have chosen, ant
to do it gracefully. And for this ad
mired her immensely.
She kissed me affectionately, AM
took me into her room, where for Al
hour we went over the list OF peopl'
who were to be invited to the wed
ding--which was to be the quotes
sort Of ceremony-and those to WHOM
announcements were to be sent afte,
wards. I smiled a little to myself a