Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-02-13

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(Copyright.l
By JOSEPHINE DUKE

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(Copyright.l
% OSALIND ASHLEY entered the
A~ restaurant, chose a seat at va
cant table by the wall. She was
young and pretty and wore a wedding
ring. The day was only half done,
and already she had explained to
scores of amazed acquaintances that,
no, she was not married; the ring was
merely part of a sorority Initiation.
She was determined to eat her lunch
in peace, and so she had chosen res
taurant where she did not expect to
encounter any Of her friends. Surely,
II she were among strangers, we'd
ding ring could not prove to be dis
turblng element.
A young man, pulling small child
by the hand, entered the restaurant.
He sighted the table where R0salind
sat, with its two vacant chairs, and
headed for 1t. He lifted the child to
the seat next to Rosalind, and chose
for himself the place opposite her.
II was rather nice, Rosallnd thought,
to see father take his baby girl
out to lunch.
The child squirmed, displayed dim
piles, caught sight of the green parrot
ornamentlng one side of Rosallnd's
smart turban. 100, 90, pretty, pretty"
squealed the tiny tot In ecstasy. dot
ty hab, Dotty hab," and she extended
eager fists toward the object of desire.
"Dotty. Dotty," the man admonished.
affixlng a restraining hand to the
chlld's shoulder, but the gesture was
without effect.
"Pretty, pretty" squeaIed the dlmIn-
utive creature again.
Rosallnds face crimsoned; so did
the young mans. He seemed to be
enormously confused. Suddenly she
inclined her head In the child's direc-
ton. ITS not to play WITH" she ex-
planned sweetly. ats just buckle.
See."
But seeing was not enough for Dot
ty. She uttered a cannibalistic shrek
of delight, grabbed the parrot with
both chubby fists, and tore 1t from It's
abode. A general confusion ensued.
The young man endeavored to apollo
gize; Rosalind endeavored to straight
en- her hat; the baby waved the cap
tured trophy enthusiastically. From a
nearby table some one giggled. A
waiter appeared, deposited two menus.
beamed on the child.
"You have stolen mammals buckle"
he said, grlnning broadly.
Rosallnd's face famed, and dull
red glow lit the young mans cheeks.
Then suddenly he looked up boldly.
What shall we have, Mary7" he asked
her. Suppose we begin with con-
somme and order the rest later"
II think that would be good idea,
john" both astonished and thrilled by
the grip the stranger took on the sit
uation.
Her answer produced the desired
effect The waiter bowed and dlsap-
peared.
Nov, give me the parrot" the
young man commanded the child, but
the small tyrant ducked the pilfered
bird beneath the tableclOth. II say,
I'm deucedly sorry" he apologized to
Rosallnd, and began to search for
something Insope of his coat pockets.
"What an adorable husband"
thought Rosallnd with something Ike
pang of regret in her own lonely
heart. Hes the sort who would do
anything for the woman he loves, even
take his baby daughter to a public
eating place" How did girls discover
such husbands2
Now he was thrusting small white
rectangle In her direction. an make
this thing right In any way you WISH"
he said. Here's my card. I'm repre-
sentative for Scott and Ashley bond
Ing corporation. Perhaps your hus-
band has heard of the firm"
I'm sorry, but I haven't husband"
replied the confused Rosalind. II
mean IL, this ring Is only a part of
a sorority Initiation, and II your baby
daughter likes the parrot she may have
It. know about your drm through
my father He Is Albright Ashley,
the president"
swell, say now, this Is luck"
beamed the stranger. But, by the
way. this isn't my daughter" he pro-
tested, crlmsonIng again. "Dotty, here,
Is my sister Mildred's child. I'm Dot
tvs bachelor uncle, Hugh Ripley I'm
trying to chaperon the young lady
while her mother fulflls an engage
ment with dentist"
Just then the waiter appeared with
the consomme, and the meal which
had suffered such a tempestuous be-
ginning approached a satisfying con-
cluslon.