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

| Wiches. And red-haired Jane was
attractive-probably too attractive.
Jane had airily refused to bring
an escort, said it crampeG her
| style too much.
| A FEW minutes later Jane was
L n glibly explaining that rich
boy she was crazy about had just
asked her to go to the Rainbow
Room, and she knew Ellen would
understand. Then Cornelia plead
ed-indigestion! Mrs Mitchell add
ed disaster to disaster by phoning
that her mother-in had ar
rived Unexpectedly from Maine. No,
they couldn't bring her. The old
lady didn't believe in cocktails and
would die of shock.
1t was $40 and Ellen's party was
supposed to begin at g.. Desperately
she took up the telephone book and
tried to round up forgotten suit
ors suitors who had forgotten
her enemies relatives
any one. In vain. They were out.
They had other engagements. If
sh- had only let them know ear
The doorbell rang. It was Da-
vid, the honored guest and the only
one. In her rose velvet hostess
gown, Ellen drew herself up and
forced herself to open the door,
smiling. Somewhere she had read
that the perfect hostess ignored
catastrophies.
Il hope I'm not the first one,'' Da-
vid was apologizing.
"NH, like guests that come i
~ early" Ellen managed to say
lightly. (She would make some ex.
cuse to go out i. TO telephone i
send wires . force people to her
party. She would tell Eric he had to |
come If he came in an ambulance!
"You can show me how to mix
highballs," she laughed, fighting for
time.,
If guestless evening hadn't
stretched before her, she would have
enjoyed chattering and joking with
David in the kitchenette. His adj
miring eyes told her that her frock
was lovely. They fingered with
awakened interest on the golden
lights of her hair. After the first
drink, Ellen gained desperate
kind of courage. Let him think
what he liked! For a little while at
least she wasn't going to put into
words the disappointments that had
piled on her! Something would
happen, something :.
Gaily, she ran and turned on the
radio. She would forget - the 40
sandwiches. She glided to him,
dancing.
Say, I'm glad I came before the
Others" he said boyishly. after
the mob arrives, I'm afraid I'd
hardly have chance to dance with
YOU"
MAYt'E," she parrIeu.
Iva You're the hostess" a
bright idea possessed him. "You
just tell them at this party there's
to be no cutting in"
Would you like that?"
IF you'd dance all your dances
with me-"
Il might"
She hoped her attempt at an
arch laugh didn't sound desperate.
They danced. They had another
drink. They lit the fire. They gos-
siped about the Office They danced
some more. 1t was 10 o'clock,
1925. Ellen struggled against hys-
terra. She noticed that David was
growing nervous, tee.
Say" he stopped short in the
middle of a step. You did invite
me for tonight, didn't your"
"Oh, it doesn't matter"
you mean to say that I got the
date mixed?"
Perhaps all the other guests
couldn't come at the last minute"
she ventured with a brightness she
didn't feel.
You are sweet to say that and |
make me feel better, but OF course, |
1T was Friday night" he exclaimed
ruefully, But you looked so pretty
in that dress, at first. I didn't real
lze :"
y .
"nH, I always put on a hostess
~ gown in case any one happens
in" she improvised and laughed
off his apologies.
There were 40 sandwiches in the
icebox, but Ellen ignored them and
fried eggs for her guest. At
a. m. there still were 40 sandwiches
and caviar canapes, but as David
begged shyly for just one good
night kiss and date, Ellen looked
back on her worries lightly and de-
cided her party was a huge success. /
THE END
Copyright, So. by News Syndicate Co,