New Britain herald., 1930-09-03
Madge Dares Phil Verit1en's Wrath by Publicly Announcing His Sons EngaRement to Mary

by Publicly Announcing His sons
 Engagement to Mary
 l was thankful for Lillian's nut tered warning of Philip Veritzen' entrance into the hotel dining room
 for it enabled me to preserve a
 poker face" when my employer came over to our table and paused beside it. Fresh in my memory was the absurd thing he had said when l had told him that I had not yet rejected his proffered bouquet for my green gown. He had murmured something fantastic about my in decision giving T fillip to his lmag- nation, a suspense which he should enjoy. He had hung up the tele- phone before 1 could answer him, and if I had been unprepared for his appearance I am afraid l should have betrayed my confusion.
 Mir. Veritzen Is Annoying
 "'Lo, Phil" Lillian seized the sit uation and commanded it to my in finite relief. Sorry We can't squeeze you in at this table. but we're already four and that's the tlghtest fit known to hotel tables. But sit down as near us as you can. What's on the well-known mind ''
 Mir. Veritzen bowed impressively, looked from Lillian to me,
 T am only insuring my prompt ness at my meeting with Mrs Gra- ham," he said and managed to in vest his speech with a confidential little air of understanding between us which annoyed me exceedingly.
 You are more prompt than r. said with d casual air ignoring trat meaning glance he sent me. But really Mrs. Underwood has but just returned with a description Of the gowns to be worn tonight. While you lunch she and will make out the list so that we will not have 10 delay you any longer than necessary
 I tried to register the conviction that he had only come to our table to find out about the gowns for which he was sending flowers, and Lillian slyly telegraphed me bravo" But Mrs. Veritzen was not to be dismissed sd easily,
 Please do not hurry" he said. You are not delaying me in the least Indeed, only came in here for luncheon 10 pass the time before two, when I expect the flowers l ordered.'
 There was a snug little air of complacence about him which was maddening. He reminded me sud- denly of a plump spider sitting in the center of his web and tenta- lively touching the different silvery strands to see what Unwary victim had been drawn toward him. It was an absurd and fantastic com parison. but it remained in my mind when after our luncheon was ended Lillian took Mary b1ck to our apartment with the promise to put her to bed, and Harry Under wood announced his intention of sleeping straight through the after noon.
 Unless" he amended cheerily, either of you gals needs me, when I shall be 'Arry on the spot every bit as good as the historic Johnny"
 Better" told him, smiling, and felt an absurd little inclination to call him back and ask him to keep close to me while Mir. Veritzen re- nlained in the room. But as we were the last in the dining room, MT. seibel came up to us as soon as the Underwoods left and my un- reasonable little panic left me.
 The florists wagon is at the service entrance" he told me, with your palms and towering plants, and there are several boys here from another establishment with huge boxes of flowers"
 "Ah." said MT. Veritzen. and lad an eerie impression that he was rubbing his hands together, al- though they really were motionless l Those are the chaps I want to see. Where are they bringing the 1 
 Mr. Seibel looked at me, adroitly | elbowing MT. Veritzen out of the | 
 Mir. Seibel Takes Charge
 'They will be put on the ta bles | in the room just back of this.' he said, where you will have your dinner tonight and where your mu sicians will be stationed. You see. i after the dining room is closed to- night the two rooms wSl be thrown ,cgether and the floors waXed. But, asI told you. all the decorations l must be up by five o'clock, when | he waitresses come back to ar range their tables"
 "They will be-" I said quietly and | .len Mir, Neritzen struck in again | assertively.
 Are the flowers there now? T want to have them opened before he boys go back, They may have 0 be sent back
 Not facial muscle of MT. Sci oels moved. but I felt compulsion 0 explain Mir. Neritzen's inter- ference.
 'Mr. Neritzen is munificently sending the cut flowers for the par "" l said to Mir Seibel airilv and smiling at both men with des- oerate attempt at archness You see, l am giving the party for our niece, Miss Harrison. who is en- gagged to MT. Neritzen's son. and vho is also a stage protegee of his"
 I fairly held my breath as I fin shed this daring little speech. What would my employer say?
 am not nsnallN pi,nn tn tha