The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-22


 TTNLIKE most mothers of only sons O Marcella Ware was pleased at
 Peter's engagement. She had al ways longed for a daughter. And his choice could not have been more after her own heart.
 True she had not seen Jane since she was little girl-a darling child, as exquisite as a flower to look at of the shy, clinging-to mother type. But any one could take a daughter of Jamie Price on trust. To say nothing of Jane's father, Horace Price, the digni- fled, courtly gentleman of the old school. Jane's and Peter's mothers had grown up in the same town and all though upon marriage they had located far from each other they had always corresponded and at intervals exchang- ed visits.
 As Marcella turned again to Peters letter she thought happily of her last visit to the Prices four years ago, when Jane was away at boarding school. Never had she been in a house so fragrant with refinement and a quiet - graciousness, and next to heredity she believed in environment-the home at- mosphete in which girls childhood un- folded. It was certainly providential that dear little Jane should have come to Chicago to study at the art school the very winter the firm transferred Peter to the Chicago branch.
 ''Mummie, she's the most ripping girl 1 ever knew," Marcella read with an amused smile Stunning to look at and as full of pep as they make 'em Believe me, the lucky fellow that mar. ries Jane-meaning yours truly-won't have dull moment" :"
 Peter's language was so absurd What he meant, of course, was that Jane was not merely beautiful, but clever as well. And Marcella went straight to her desk to write Jane a welcoming letter.
 But it was love's labor lost, for be- fore the letter was mailed an astound- ing telegram arrived.
 Called to New York on business. Jane accompanies as far as C. to make you visit. On return will stop over and pick her up. Meet No. due Wednesday, 5:15 p. m.
 PETER"
 That even a sons fiancee should plan a visit uninVited took Marcella S
 
 impropriety, she was surprised that a girl brought up as carefully as Jane should travel a whole day on a train with a young man unchaperoned. But of course it was Peter's doing. She knew how he coaxed and leased till he got his way. And no doubt Jane was the gentle, yielding kind.
 Wednesday? Why, that was today And she had a hospital board meeting that afternoon. And Tom and she were to dine out. And she'd sent the room curtains to the cleaners.
 The day was one mad rush of prepa- rations and rearrangements.I
 And the car stalled on its way. Mar celia reached the station only in time to catch a vanishing glimpse of the de. parting train.
 But what had become of Jane? The only person on the station platforms young woman of most pronounced flap per type-with complexion conspicuous short and narrow skirts.
 "HulIo ]" the flapper young person suddenly addressed Marcella with a gleaming dental smile. I've a hunch you must be Peters mother"
 Peter's mother was all the stunned way home recovering from the shock. And every day of the ten of Jane visit some new bad impression was made. Jane smoked cigarettes. Jane used a lpstick. Jane frequently in- dulged in By Jove" and other un- ladXrlike sxpletiVss. To cap the eli