The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-07

THERE were 40 sandwiches in
u the icebox-cream cheese and
fresh strawberry sandwiches, husky
onion sandwiches on rye for men,
chopped Ct cken livers for epicures.
Plate upol plate of canapes we're
ready, canapes of caviar, canapes
with chopped chutney, perky little
sausages, bacon curled lovingly
around olives.
Ellen Hartzog had spent all
afternoon and a lump out of her
salary buying and making them.
1t was o'clock Saturday night
and her apartment was spotless.
Ellen had risen at 7 that morning
to wash woodwork, vacuum rugs,
wax the floor and polish furniture.
The curtains we're as crisp and
freshly tubbed as a small girl wait
ing for company. EXtravagant pink
roses and blue tulips nodded from
tall vases. Ellen had borrowed Ten
extra glasses from girl friend.
Wood laid on the hearth waited ex-
pectantly for match.
There were three impressive
bottles of Scotch in the kitchenette.
Ellen had invited twenty people
and now, now, only seven were
coming! Three girls, married
couple and two men.
CEVEN! The telephone rang. 1t
~ was Eric Crawford, sorry he
couldn't make the party because he
had a cold Ellen was sympathetic,
but she couldn't help wondering
why man as ugly and ineligible
as Eric should take such care of
himself
David Benson never would think
she was attract tive when she
couldn't even produce another
bachelor for a party. Party?
David Benson would never date her
after she'd given such a flop! Five
women coming
For three months. Ellen Hartzog
had looked deep into the clear blue
eyes of David Bensor-and asked
him to please pay her in small
bills. The assistant cashier was
everything a girl could wish for,
but Ellen had despaired of know
ing him-socially
Going to buy a new hat?" he'd
ask when she came for her salary
before lunch. 1t looked as if their
Irritation - acquaintance, really
would never get past the cashiers
barred window.
A GIRL can't ask man to come
4 N up Saturday night to keep her
from being lonely. She can't hint
that a lucent movie would be
heaven with him. She can't &C
cept his suggestion that they 60
dancing when q man hasn't men
toned it.
A party seemed the Solution-the
casual invitation even the incest
girl could make. Some of the Of
flee people were coming. Wouldn't
he like to come, too? Tonight,
faced with humiliation, Ellen
looked back with pity on the girl
who had been so happy because
David Benson had said yes.
Grizzly, Ellen went to her closet
and took out the rose velvet hostess
gown she had bought for the oc-
casion. She had wanted David to
see her. surrounded by admirers.
Five women! II only she knew
David's home telephone number,
she'd. tell him she had been taken
suddenly Ill and the party was post
poned.
She should have taken warning
when the first four men she in
vited pleaded other engagements.
But no! After that she had merely
requested that each girl bring her
own escort.
r IKE a woman dressing for her
IL execution. she laid out her
filny rayon stockings. rose slippers
and dainty undertakings. Until this
morning, she had fully expected
at least fifteen people would arrive.
A binding rainstorm began the de-
bacle. All day long the telephone
had been ringing with regrets
Doris tearfully couldn't get man
the weather-called out of town
on business-illneSs-broken down
cars-as If there weren't such
things as taxis and subways-the
weather-illness.
Mechanically, Ellen turned on
her shower and wished that she
would drown. The telephone rang
while she was still dripping. 1t
was Dorothy. Ellen was almost
glad to hear that she had sprained
her ankle.
Two extra girls weren't quite so
horrible. Maybe Ellen could laugh
II of as a little home gathering.
The overweight Cornelia would at
least make a dent in the sand