MRS. HARLAN IS A STATELY CHAPERON FOR LOLA.
She stood there smiling to herself until she heard his voice at the other end of the wire. “Hello,” she said gayly. “This is Lola. I have changed my mind, Dick, about that ride. I am very much bored to-day, and I have decided to go with you, if you are sure you really want me.”
“You know how much I want you,” he answered ardently. “Or, if you don’t know, I’ll tell you. I am all alone here just now, and I’ll never have a better chance.”
“I wouldn’t trouble myself if I were you,” continued Lola, “and perhaps you may have fully as good a chance this afternoon; anyway, I am perfectly sure that Central is laughing at you, and I don’t at all blame her.”
“All right,” he answered. “I’ll call for you in an hour.”
“Oh, no,” she retorted. “You know you must not come here. John and father would have a fit. Meet me at Mrs. Harlan’s at three, just three o’clock exactly, for I will have to be back by seven.”
He started to tell her how delightful he was at the prospect of her company, but as he spoke the door bell rang and she cut him off without warning and turned away as Maria opened the door from her kitchen and started down the hall.