Evening star., 1926-06-13

she did not have to go, but Minnie S
feelings would be hurt if she didn't
Minnie Markell was rather a joke in
the office. one of those determinedly
young and kittenish old girls who sup.
ply in activity and Vivacity what they
lack in youth. She lived in a studio
apartment, consisting of one large
barnlike room and one bath, and
slept on a couch, and kept her clothes
| in what she called an Italian credenza
And she gave parties. She loved
giving parties, though the refresh.
ments were apt to be sketchy and the
entertainment on a somewhat shrill
key. OF late Minnie had added inter
est in her social gayeties by the ac-
QUESTION of n fiance.
AT noontime, cutting short a lunch
con which was wholly hygienic and
devoid OF caramel cake. Eileen bought
a stunning silver rose, only slightly
shopworn, and marked down from
five ninety to tWo-ten.
She mounted the silver rose on her
girdle with deft fingers, and went off
blithely to Minnie Markets. party
with the excited Lily, who had, after
all, treated herself to a tangerine
crepe de chine.
Minnie's big room was pretty we'll
| filled when Lily and Eileen arrived,
| and Minnie was flying about in new
batik blouse and red-heeled slippers
welcoming every one, making introduc
tionS, lighting more candles. putting
bits of old boxes on the real fire.
place fire, and delegating certain of
her guests to help with the refresh.
mcntS. which We're as usual in a
state of unreadineSS.
* X X
HAVING put her cape in the bath
n tub where all the wraps We're as.
sembled, Eileen looked about her and
decided that her most pleasant occu.
patton would be to assist in the
sandwich making. She sidled over
to the table where a couple of girls
and one youth were dallying with
sardines and bread, and possessed
herself Of the slicing knife, which was
gladly relinquished. The three work
erS promptly drifted away. which did
not worry Eileen. and she sliced bread
and buttered it neatly, until she had
a really imposing supply. Minnie saw
her and came dashing around.
"Oh, you angel she exclaimed.
"Working away so bravely all by your
little lonesome. I'll get some one to
help you. Jasper brought one OF the
sweetest. dearest, cutest---' She
dashed away again and returned,
dragging after her Il mild-mannered.
round faced blond youth who was
palpably overcome by his surround
ings.
This is Bunny Jenkins-and this is
Eileen Powers" cried Minnie. brightly.
BUNNY - Eileen - Eileen - Bunny.
Now go and make sandwiches for me,
darlings, until | can find some other
willing workers.
Eileen looked up timidly to see that
Bunny Jenkins was crimson to the
roots of his hair. 1t was evident that
he was as bashful as She but, after
all. she must be polite.
IF youll mash UP the sardines in
this BOWL she managed to say, Il II
season them and spread them on the
bread"
Bunny seized the bowl and mashed
sardines valiantly. The exercise gave
him scrap of courage. He spoke:
I'm afraid I'm not very handy" he
said deprecatingly.
Eileen was kind. ooh, you're doing
very nicely
Working together in amicable fash
ion, Bunny recovered his natural col
or and Eileen became more the wom-
an of the world and they talked away
like old friends.
You certainly can strut the stuff,
making sandwiches. declared Bunny.
Are we going to make anything be
sides sardine ones?"
"Rush over and ask Mini don't
see anything else" directed Eileen.
she says there's some cream cheese
and some pimentos." he reported.
SO as Bunny chopped pimentos and
Eileen cut more bread. the converse
ton went on and became personal.
His name, it appeared shortly, was not
Bunny; it was Horace.
But the fellows call me Bunny be-