Evening star., 1922-06-03
Completes and Compilations.
ERR1AM LINDSAY was yaw

IN ERRIAM LINDSAY was yawn-
|" ing over a stocking-mend-
ing basket feeling very
pious and proper and hor-
ribly bored. Her twin babies were
gardening volubly with soup spoons
and pie pans in the middle OF what
was going to be the pansy bed. They
were gloriously muddy from the
crowns Of their little red heads 10 the
soles of their sandaled feet.
Thank heaven. they have that
advantage" thought Merriam tri-
umphantly. u never had such luxury
when I was young. Think of enough
mud pies to remember your whole
She tucked another sock over the
mending ball and glared at 1t. For
she hated a needle and she hated
thread and she hated q thimble. She
| sprang up with relief when the tele-
phone rang.
An excitable woman explained and
entreated from the other end Of the
wire. She was having a bridge
luncheon for twelve for a distin-
guished guest. At the last moment
one traitor had deserted. She i'm
plored Merriam to save the day.
For you know what playing three
at a table means. and you know how
awful my luncheon table will look
with vacant place, like a child with
a tooth out. I'll send my car for you
at l o'clock"
But 1 can't CO." Merriam was
doleful. for she adored any kind Of
party.
IF it's Just because you're peevish
because 1 didn't ask you in the first
place, you ought to remember that
you told me the other day. YOU
weren't R0inR
whole week. I know it may be that
you're keeping Lent"
Only doing penance for my SINS"
Merriam laughed lightly. Il went to
too many parties last week. But it's
no use, I've nobody to leave the twins
with"
And II it's only because you
haven't any spring Clothes" Sally's
conversation flowed on. why. you
shouldn't care. You look prettier in
your old ones than the rest Of US do
in our new ones. for ! think the new
styles are awful What with ugly
long skirts and Tapping sleeves and
no beltline at all! / said to my hus-
band what was the use of my dieting
and all that il was going to wear
what they look like-bath robes"
Its not clothes. it's the twins"
! Merriam edged in a word. II said
had nobody to. stay with the twins"
Then bring them Sally tri-
umphantly solved that difficulty.
They can have some chops and vege-
| tables in the pantry and my maid will
love to take care of them as soon as
she's through serving. You simply
can't say no. now. And. really. I've
squads and perfectly lovely prizes
and some Of the most interesting
women coming"
Merriam dressed herself and her
babies. She had many misgivings.
She hadn't the heart to tell them that
she knew it wouldn't seem a party
to them. but she enthused about what
wonderful ride they would have and
what pretty ladies they would see
and how very. very quiet they must
be.
She had still more misgivings when
she reached the Girvin house. Starchy
seat in Sally's ornate bedroom,
staring round-eyed at the chattering
women who took off ornate wraps to
disclose ornate frocks, and whose
hats looked like a millinery shop de
luxe. Merry felt like shy and in
significant wren.
The babies We're awed into silence.
They watched the guests powder
noses, reshape eyebrows and dab
rouge at cheeks already rouged. They
endured pecking kisses and slobbery
kisses and numerous personal ques-
tionings.
Whats your name? You are the
girl twin? What q pity that it's the
boy that has the curls! My husband
says that !if I'd had naturally curly
alone"
But in the dining room the party
abandoned this idle chatter. For the