Evening star., 1935-05-01
CHAPTER XXI.
CELEBRATION.

ner to celebrate the occasion.
As was usual at James din
ners everything was beautifully ana
elaborately done.
There were squads, champagne, a
new fandangle called an artichoke
which nobody but Jane knew how to
eat. The artichokes were the hit OF
the party, though the ice cream In
the shape Of wedding rings MADE
quite sensation.
Nappy, with great grace and cere-
mony. opened the front door and
waited on table. Jane wore her we'd
ding gown and three of the available
bridesmaids their made-over prim-
rose frocks. The guests were almost
Historically gay (due perhaps to the
champagne).
Jane was in great form and told
some of her funniest stories, and
every one agreed afterward that it
was a wonderful party-every one,
that Is, except James.
In the first place James had op-
posed the dinner, said they could
not afford it, claimed that it was an
unnecessary extravaganza and sug-
gested instead that they spend the
afternoon picknicking in the Stimson
woods.
IF we can't afford to ask our
friends to the house occasionally 1t
seems to me you'd better stay down
at the Office and work." said Jane
lightly. Besides, I'll charge the din
ner to father. He never minds"
An accusation Of extravaganza was
to Jane like a red shirt to a bull, for
she prided herself on knowing how
to buy and what to buy, and in never
wasting a dollar. If she spent more
largely than James income warranted
1t was because her father encouraged
her to do so.
Mr.. Northrup was reputed to be
worth at least $2,000000 and one
of his greatest pleasures was in in
dulging his only daughter. He liked
nothing better than to have her perch
on his knee and explain that she
hadn't a penny to her name or a
rag on her back and needed dozens
of things her poor young husband
could not afford and her dear smart
old daddy could.
Mr.. Northrup always wrote her q
check on the spot and assured James.
If he were present, that Jane knew
exactly how to twist the men round
her little finger. He was fond of
saying that Jane was chip of the
old block and that she had twice
New Concord.
But I mind" said James grimly
in answer to James taunt that her
father would pay for their ami
versary dinner. HE paid for our
last party and the one before that.
I don't believe there Is another young
couple in town that entertains as
often as we do
IF you'd spend less time taking
cases for shiftless darkies who never
pay you a cent instead of turning
money perhaps I shouldn't have to
ask father to pay for things" an
svered Jane icily. She was not very
well. for very good reason. and her
nervousness made her careless of
James feelings.
James flushed, but he managed to
control his temper. II made S2,500
last year and that's pretty good for
a man my age in this town-the
Judge says"
The judge says, the judge says"
mimicked Jane angrily. You care
more for his little finger than you
do for all Of me. Now, just when I
don't feel well and won't be going out
at all after few weeks, you set
yourself against every single plan I
make for having good time"
James felt that this latter remark
was both unjust and uncalled for,
80 he said nothing and Jane went
ahead with plans for the dinner. OF
course, they made up later-James
could not bear to dwell in a state
in which Jane withheld from him the
the favor of her approval-and he
admitted he might have appeared
unreasonable and selfish.
So the host greeted his guests as
happily as did the hostess and seemed
to enjoy himself during the first two
courses as much as any one present.
Then the champagne was served and
Bud Howard unfortunately remarked
that the law business must be pick
ing up.
"Or the grain business" said Jane
quickly. Mr.. Northrup dealt in grain.
Every one laughed, James included,
in spite of the fact that he felt
keenly humiliated. He told himself
that Jane did not mean anything and
that he was a fool to be hurt. A
little later they began to cbafe him
about his budding mustache. This
was all good-natured raillery and
James enjoyed 1t.
"It makes you look older and f1ercer
some way, but think it's becoming"
said Julia Millard, who sat on James
right. How do you like it, Jane?"
HAS James grown a rnustache? I
never noticed" was James mocking
answer, and, of course, this brought
another laugh. James flushed little
and 1t occurred to Julia that James
tongue was beginning to be more than
q little pointed. She wished Jane
would be more careful. OF course,
she didn't realize, but it was a shame
to hurt James that way.
Jane, however, went on shining.
She mimicked with great gusto the
manners and conversation Of an
acutely embarrassed farmer guest
James had brought home for dinner