Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-07-28
You Just Can't
Always Tell
BY MARY MORRISON

%. 1871. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
who's coming?" asked George For
rest as he glanced at the fourth tea
cup.
Margaret Ellis and Diana laughed.
Don't grow excited, George" said
Diana, "she isn't your style at all;
looks like the outskirts Of the smallest
town in the smallest state In the
Union. She is SO embarrassed If a
man speaks to her that she Is apt to
tall into her teacup; she is the one
woman In the world I could swear has
never had a love affair"
Margaret here added her voice to
the description. "She bushes In hor-
rid red spots, too. I'm afraid you
won't be at all intrigued, my dear.
had to ask her because she's Aunt
Sarah's adopted daughter and Aunt
Sarah stands for all the riches of
Croesus."
George Forrest smiled urbanely.
Urbanity was one of his strongest
points. But he thought TO himself:
May the good Lord protect me from
society cats like these! For real hu-
mainly give me nice. kind bush
man, Of South Africa or an hospitable
South Sea Islander. I'm going to
make myself so agreeable to this
maiden who bushes In spots and looks
like Pokeville, Delaware, that they
never can say no one ever fiirted with
her, at any rate"
The doorbell rang at this moment
and into the room came the girl. Her
skirt was too long, her ears showed,
her lips were not scarlet but natural
all this George took In at a glance.
And she seemed far from her ease
when she greeted Diana and Margaret
EhIs. AS had been predicted, she
blushed violently, and becomingly,
when Diana offered her cigarette
Diana winked at George, and George
noticed that Miss Townley saw the
wink and that she turned her face
away as If to hide the hurt express
sion that spread over 1t.
Good for you, Miss Townley," said
he, drawing his chair close to hers
and putting into his gaze the intensity
and "for you alone" look which had
made him famous as the best little
lady killer in New York. "Why wom-
en- think it Is cute to have cigarette
dangling from their mouths every min
ute in the day. can't see.' l am glad
to meet modern girl who can refuse
one"
But / am not modern girl, I'm
faltered Miss Townley. There
was something very appealing about
her. and her eyes really were rather
beautiful when she looked straight at
one. George began to find the game
It pleased his sense
Of justice to see Margaret Ellis and
Diana fall back In their seats in help
less amazement.
"Better and better" smiled he at
her quite unnecessary admission; 'ff
you tell me you don't toddle' I'll want
to kiss your hand"
II don't" laughed the girl. And
when George put his words In action
she blushed again, only not unbeeom-
ngly this time.
Margaret Ellis smiled somewhat
frigidly as she watched the scene.
Don't let Mr.. Forrest deceive you,
Isabel" she put In. you can't believe
one word he says, you know. He's
Ananias and Sapphire rolled into one
the truth Isn't in him."
Isabel Townley looked quite serious
" at Forrest and then back again at
Margaret. "Well, as our old gardener
up in the country used to say, You
amt always be pleasant and truthful
1t the same time And he is awfully
pleasant, isn't heY"
George Forrest laughed with spon-
.aneous ring to his voice that was not
usually heard in the drawing rooms
ne frequented. The girl was great
she wasn't dull and she was SO abso-
utely naive.
you've said mouthful, eueen,'"
ne quoted as he took her empty cup
md put 1t down on the table
IF you don't toddle and you don't
smoke, what do you do all day?' asked
Diana. She thought she'd better make
some effort to be agreeable as long as
George Forrest was leading the way.
She did wish. though, Margaret had
rot asked Isabel today of all days.
She wanted Forests attentions her
self.
"Oh, I'm quite busy with the house
keeping In the morning--ordering and
Ill that--and in the afternoon mother
md l always go some place together,
irving or to the theater or opera, and
n the evening play chess with IA
her. We're chess fans, father and
/" she said, looking at Forrest.
"Jove! that's great!" ne exclaimed,
real enthusiasm In his voice. Its the
best game going. We have chess
cam over at the club and play wildly
every Monday night" Again George
and Isabel were, conversationally
alone In the field.
"How splendid! Father taught me