The Coolidge examiner., 1930-12-26
Place Cards Were
Carefully Mixed
BY HELEN ST. BERNARD

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ID Widman had quarreled. Il
had come to a climax at the OFT"
way house party when Barbar,
had played golf with Jack Made.
because Leigh had not expected /.
arrive until the fourteen train, anu
when they had returned TO the
house they had found him on the
porch buried in yesterdays paper,
scowling fiercely although his eyes
were scanning his favOrite comic
strip. He had taken the midnight
train back to the city, claiming a
telephone call reminding him OF
an important business engagement
for early the next morning.
And in his pocket he carried the
square-cut diamond Barbara had
worn since May; the diamond she
had given back to him that night
as they stood together beneath a
white mOOnlit sky on the terrace.
But you must promise me that
you won't let this make any differ
ence about coming to my dinner
for the Buffers" implored his sis
ter, Florence KilbOurne, the next
day when Barbara went to see her.
"All right" defiantly. "Tll come,
Florence. I'll show Leigh that be-
cause he can be so mean is no rea-
son l am going to avoid him, and
he was perfectly terrible, Florence,
even though he is your brother"
Il knOw-men can be that way,
when they love some one as L
think Leigh loves you. Now, don't
forget the dinner The Buffers al
ways ask about you, and Mr.. But
Ter being Leigh's employer. But l
shall see to it that you are as far
away from him as | can. ="
Midge KilbOurne, Florence's love
ly young daughter, was waiting in
her scarlet sports roadster when
Barbara came out.
Get in and we'll go for a ride.
Babbie old dear, and console each
other. Billy and l have had
quarrel-just terrible quarrel.
Just because | danced three dances
with Clark at the club. And just
TO get even, | came home with
Clark and Evan. These men!'
"Men?" mused Barbara. "Do
you call Clark and Evan and Billy
men? You were nineteen your last
birthday, weren't you, Midgie?
Yours is just a childish affair.
You'll be over it today or tomor-
row."
as that 500" challenged Midge
Let me tell you something, Bah
bic. | love Billy just as much as
you love Uncle Leigh, and we are
i mean, we were-engaged TO be
married. have his frat pin right
here in my purse-just as soon as
he finished college. But they are
all alike, Billy and Uncle Leigh.
domineering, hateful, selfish"
oh, no, Midge, he isn't selfish
or hateful" quickly although
/ never can forgive what he said
about Jack Maiden and me. e"
She patted Midge's little brown
hand on the wheel. But as for
you, dear. you are so young. You
just make up with your Billy and
forget all about your quarrel"
Florence Kilbourne's dinner par
ties were always masterpieces of
skill and art. A huge mound of
flowers in the center of the table
tlanked by tall tapers in crystal
holders threw out ribbons which
were attached TO the place cards.
AS the guests sought their places
Leigh nodded TO Barbara unsmil-
ingly. Jack Maiden, dapper, eager,
greeted her effusively. A long eve
ming ahead, hearing Jack talk of
Wall Street, his golf score, his last
trip to Europe-all that, while at
the opposite end of the table Ada
May would fiirt with Leigh-her
Leigh
She found her card and for a
moment stood listening to Profes-
sor Aiken at her left, waiting for
the hostess to be seated. Then she
turned to speak to Jack. She
stopped short, stiffened, turned
away. 1t was Leigh who sat be-
side her.
Barbara was miserable Mr.
Butler called across the table and
asked if the honeymoon was to be
to California, inviting them to his
| ranch.
Just then Barbara felt some
thing slipping from her knees and
she grabbed for her napkin but it
eluded her grasp. She bent to pick
it up. Leigh bent at the same time
and their hands met; they hesitat
ed a moment, clasped tight and
clung!
I'm sorry, sweetheart" he whis-
pered. Squeeze my hand tight if
you forgive me-if we can accept
Buffers invitation for a California
honeymoon"
Barbara =" explained Florence
KilbOurne in the living room an
hour later. Can you ever believe
me when l say l didn't put that
place card of Leigh's beside yOu?"
"Well. Florence" laughed Bar
bara happily, God bless the one
who did. Leigh and l are going to
be married and go to California on
| our honeymoon. :"
A young roguish face pOked it
self between Barbara and Flor
ence.
'Then thank your niece-to-be,
Babbie darling. did it while
mother was dressing. And now
I'm off to dance with Billy at the
club. You see. when | saw Uncle
Leigh and Babbie holding hands,
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