Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-12-30
A Dinner Guest

Gam going to see one of the new
gowns this evening, Mary9" in
quired Starmount as he rose to go
J and dress for dinner.
Perhaps. They haven't arrived
yet, you know. And please let me
tell you something funny, my Lord,
Madame thought 1 was just little
girl"
"Well aren't you| starmount
teased.
"No, my Lord. I never was a little
girl. | have always been woman,
ever since l knew what an aching
pain there was in the heart of
woman. I have had to think about
everyone in my family ever since |
could think at all. Did I never tell
you that | used to sell papers after
school when | was only nine -
Starmount patted her head ten
DERBY and started again for the door.
Wait just a minute. I want to
tell you this, You see Madame
thought I was about IA wars old
and she kept asking Miss Jeffries to
offer suggestions about my dresses
and once she called her my govern
ess.
1t made Miss Jeffries very nerv-
Gus but it gave me an idea. Why
can I not spend some of all that
money that you have given me for
really truly governess9'
"You certainly can my dear. I'll :,
get one and send her back with you =
to the camp
when do you think that Eddie +
md 1 will be well enough to come
'ack here and live7"
Il hope that will be very soon, ~ ..
or 1 want you both to get well. But .
won't make very much differ
nee where you live, Mary, as 1 am n
olng away for a long stay" U
For moment the girl turned
aler, if possible, than she had been
efore and then she raised her head
18th an effort.
DO you want me to stay here or la
the camp, my LordV m
Il want you to stay at the camp th
nd stay until you are thoroughly ye
ell and then you can come here d.
go to the shore, which ever YOU re
ease You know we're going to in
nd Eddie to college when it's
me for him to go, and I want YOU tn
grow up and be beautiful, and n
hen | comeback Wen give a great d
g party, and invite all the young =
en- in town and We'll stand them -
in a line before you and you
n make your choice, and like the
cd little princess, marry and live (
ppily ever after" E
is that the way you have planned =
out for me, my LordD 1t was a.
very weak little trembling voice EM
at asked the question. SP
'4es. Don't you like the plan9"
1t makes no difference if | like
or not. am only here because
IL want me and | would be a pret-
poor kind of stick if / did not
Try out any kind of plan YOU :
uld make for me-" l
'tarmount stopped and kissed Il
Iry sort hair. II do not think
1t l shall ever marry" he said.
nd so when the prince comes VOC
, If he be worthy, l shall give
anything he asks even to half of
kingdom" 7
dary did not even smile at tbis
y and Starmount was rather sur Il
sed at a kind of little chokv h
ling in his own throat, as this
9 ne hurriedly left her to make
belated dinner toilet.
'hen he came down Miss Jeffries
Mary were both in the draw
room aud ne hardly knew the
d In plain little froek of pale
chiffon velvet, he hair band u
with a silver fillet and silver II
IS and stockings as she stood n
urely before him.
Did you pick out this frock, Miss =.
riesf" he asked.
Yes, she did, and l picked out
W asserted Mary Unexpectedly. \
d tell you that Madame caught
breath when we told her where
end the things.
Are you Mary Devini' she ask
le curiously. L.
Yes, Madame l answered. -
efore I could speak up and tell -
hat ! was almost IL, Miss JEFF
spoke ap and said, Miss Dew
younger than most girls of
lge.,
N great ceremony Starmount pho
ID his arm to Miss IaffriaS a.5