Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Coos Bay times. (Marshfield, Or.) 1906-1957 | View Entire Issue (April 22, 1916)
?' ' I Iwe ail Airettart rf t-j- Away Into Deep Oblivion i) By Elsie Endicoti 1 MI III JiMg 1 SM6B ! f ' f .' w " , ..N '" Vl m S lung iiH alia could remember .1 n n o t lutd lived In u worse for wear col lugo on High slrccl, In Mcdbury. with Mi'H. Deun. Tom, I'cRgy. mid llclty. Her piircntH. dying In her childhood, hardworking Wid ow Dcun, u lifelong friend of her moth er's, hud shouldered Iho responsibility of her upbringing, in splto of the nil vlco of Mcdbury folk to scutch for kindred somowhoro in Kiiiihiib, Advancing yours proved Mini her kindness lutd nol been misplaced. Ja net not only returning Iter euro with u beautiful devotion, but from the Mine sbo was twelve years of age, udtllng her mile every week to tho Dean's slim exchequer by "chorlng" for old Mrs. Wickham who lived on tho hill. And when alio was nineteen and Mrs. "Wickham put her on a regular wage Iter gratitude as slio told Mrs.. Dcnn, "every last cent of It" wns to go to her vtflfl pathetic. Mr. Denn'a nuHwor was made known to Tom, Janet's chum, in ono of their confidential talks back of tho wood pile. "Tom," Bho exclaimed, "do you know mother won't tako moro 4han?3 of my ?7? Isn't that awful?" "I should say nol!" snapped Tom. "The Dean's don't ImpoBc." Juliet's eyes, which reminded one of wild violets, opened wide. "Tom Dean," sho cried, "the Idea of talking about tho Deans 'Imposing' on me! Don't I owe everything to your mother? Wouldn't I have been Bhlppcd off to strangers In Kansas If It hadn't been for her? Why, you Deans arc all I have, all I want, all" She paused. Tom was looking at her in the queer way she had noticed lately, which always made her want to run uway from him. Sho continued hurriedly: "Speaking of Kansas, I think I'll savo my leftover $1 every week, and when I huvo enough, go out there ami bunt up my wonderful rela tives. Shall I, Tom?" Tom's gazo was far distant. As sho put her question he brought it to bear on her. It was tho "queer" look aguln, only Intensified a thousandfold, It thrilled her and made Iter heart ham mer. Sho folt frightened and happy all at once. "Go to Kansas!" Tom whispered. "Do you think I'd let you?" llo was leaning very near her, his hands seeking hers. Suddenly sho wits no longer little Janet, his chum, but a woman consci ous of his love, conscious of licr own. After a tlmo sho said: "Wc can't marry for years, Tom." "I'm to get an increase in Iho fall," he reminded. "Hill it won't be enough to luke cure of four and savo BoniPthlug besides." Janet argued. "We'll never leave mother and delicate Hetty, you know. Anyway, mothcr'd never give her con sent until wo could show a bank ac count. That's what sho did with Peg gy and Jim Donlln. They had $500 to start out with. I guess It won't bo a speck different with you and mo, Tom." "Whon it's so hard to save the. first hundred," groaned Tom. "Jauot, do you know the taxes are overdue? And the houso Is a sight for want of paint, and" "If wc don't have it shingled soon," put in Janet, "we'll bo going to bed with umbrellas over our heads. I guess it's a long wait ahead of us, Tom." "Janot," pleaded Tom, "can't, you think of something pleasant us an end ing of this wonderful hour of ours? Hang taxes, leaky roots and all the rest of It!" "Yes." said Janot softly, "I think it's nu awfully pleasant thought these hard times to know that we huvo even it leaky roof wo cau call our own. I guess about nil you and I'd better do for tho present in to be thankful for what's what. And as far an my. going to Kansas la concerned," sho added, seeing what wub on Tom's mind, "at ?! a week that's away in tho future." It so happened that It wasn't, how ever. It was only a month from that "wonderful hour" that Mrs. Wickham died, leaving Janet a thousand dollars. And, strange to say, when tho amaz ing legacy wus under discussion Tom waB tho one to brouch the trip to Kan sas. Mrs. Dean, who had not been tukcu into their secret, looked surprised. "Do you really want to go to Kansas, Ja net?" she asked. "Ask Tom," Janet replied, smiling. Tom, his brow furrowed in a painful frown, told of the proposed visit to tho unknown relatives. Immediately his mother became enthusiastic. "You'll go, Janet," sho said firmly. "What's more, you'll go real stunning Just to show thcao folks who've nev er noticed jou that you've got along quite well without them. Mrs. Mlgga Isn't busy theso days, and sho's a real styllBh dressmaker. Tom" Dut Tom had left tho room. Ever slnco ho had heard of Janet's legacy ho had appeared depressed. Janet watched him curiously as ho shambled off toward tho wood pile, their haven when anything troubled. Then sho turned to Mrs.. Dean and listened cheerfully to hor wonderful plans. They put them into effect tho mo ment Jauct received a check from Mis. Wlckham's lawyer. Tom seldom en tered tho houso that u multiplicity or parcels did nol litter tables and chairs; and to have Janet nlono for a few moments was an impossible thing. If sho was not shopping sho was at Mrs. Mlggs' for a fitting or at some ono of tho neighbors who wero giving parties In her honor now that she had money and was about to travol. Tom grew almost moroso In those exciting, bustling days. Constantly there dwelt In his mind the thought that Jnnot would not some back from Kansas, and all his efforts to oppcar cheerful wore futile, so ho kept out of tho way nB much as possible. Janet was to set out on hor trip tho end of September. The month had Just been ushered in whon she said to Tom ono evening: "Tom, you haven't taken an atom of Interest In my pretty things! I want, you to come now and really look at them." Sho led tho way to her tiny bedroom, so closo to the low-celled, leaky roof, where tho now clothes hung; on pegs around tho walls. Sho took down her traveling suit first. "Do you liko It, Tom?" she asked. "Folks say It's very becoming, and I'm bo glad! I wanted It to be unusually pretty, because " "Well. It Is," Tom cut In. "Don't worry, you'll cut a shine when you ar rive In KansaB." His lips smiled; his eyes did not. HIb mother coming In, ho slipped away as they mutually ad mired it. Of course, he went out to tho woodpile- to fight things out In tho twilight, llo know Janet would not como back! As sho was pretty and bright hor rela tives would bo proud of hor, mako much of her and lavish upon her pleas ures that had never como Into her starved girlhood. Would It bo strungo, then, that hard-working Mcdbury daya' should slip into tho background for good and all? Someone quietly sat down beside him. "You wore In n dreadful hurry," Janet reproachod. "Thoro were so many things I had to show you. This la one of them. Will you read It, Tom?" Sho hold a paper toward him. He oponed it slowly and stared at a tax bill receipted. Beforo ho could speak she laid another over It an es timate on roofing. Still another was spread boforo his ustonlshcd eyes it price for painting. Sho laughed softly as he looked at her speechlessly. "Isn't It fine, Tom, to bo ublo to do things?" sho aakcdwcefully. Tom had tlirned from her and was staring silently over tho old garden. Suddenly she knew ho could not speak. Her nrni stole around hie shoulders. I'lm shiver. i ntwA "o lookrH nlr're L 'WW. ftb25 to T 'ffi iko Kansas, thon ' httve-to-r0L,&hH4i lug her n11ivn...nl,'?lffii what vnn'r j.i", a"'llrn Sho laughed then m I Ing hor. "Why - .1 . M after what you ai-T J '""I'll day, ML1 el I could go to KimP "Junct!" "Wait a mlnu!c! .i . ItnMlnn. M -- ""J ill 1 "-my IcavlngVl Hi ma dreadfully!' ASM cumo onthuiiiiH. .. 'A8! s.s.wwsa "" "nun i ViitolatiH you, while all the time 1, -oh. so gladly, Tom- oniS With a crv nf .i. . hi- arm,, dC thine, went wMrii.. 1J I ill r nun nhll.,1.. "7U!)I A- House an v , .IV. 5,000 By Annette Anerf VTHEU1NE LINN al ways kuow hor great-aunt Frcdlku was eccentric, but ho novcr know how eccentric until tho tiffulr of tho house. Since hnr fnther'B death Cath erine had support ed her mother and herself as a stenographer. They lived Ju four rented rooms and Just man nged to bo comfortable. Mrs. Linn al ways was In poor health, but nho did 1ho housework and a little sowing nnd dreamed of tho Minn when Cuthcriuo herself should marry happily. Cpth orluo herself sometimes dreamed of Hint tlmo, but to her II wau obscuird by Interminable distance. Jorferaon Ford was not earning enough for three a nil1 ho hud no' Immcdlato prospects. They wero friends miliar, than ac knowledged lovers. Doing bravo nnd young and hopeful, I hey waited. To bo sure, Catherine had Aunt Frcdlku, who wan wealthy and who might have done Homethtng for hor poor relatives. Hut alio never hud, and Catherine did not expert that nhc erer would. Though Auut Frcdlka lived In tho samo town wltft thorn, sho ncrcr como to sco tbem. Sho had her own lutorcsts, tho chief of which at present was hor now house. It was part of her cccon trlclty that sho Hhould suddenly grow tired of tho houso in which she hud lived for a half century, and should set about having n new ono built. Cath erine hud heard about Mm now Iiuubc, but nho hud never seen It, because ll was entirely out of her way. Ono rainy fall evening, when sho wan Bitting nlono with her mother, Homebody camo upstair and knocked at their door. Cuthorino thought It wub Jeff, who occasionally camo In for an evening. Sho wub, therefore, star tled when sho opened tho door and saw Mr. Potter, tho lawyer. When an hour letcr ho departed Cntherluo felt as Miough a cyclono had passed over their humble domestic machinery, for tho lawyer hud come to tell them (hat Aunt Frcdlka had left tho now houso to Catherine on condi tion that sho llvo In it und maintain It properly. Sho must not ncll, mort gugo or rent It; it was for her use alone. Ah for Aunt Krcdlku herself, sho was already on her wuy to Cali fornia, where oho expected to spend tho rest of her days. Tho next afternoon Catherine got leavo of absence from tho offlco and went with her mother to look at tho house. It whs almost out of town, on h street that straggled over an emi nence a sightly pluee in summer, but bleak nnd cold in winter. The house wub BiibstunMal, roomy and essential ly modern. Mrs. Linn screamed with delight when she saw tho hardwood floors, tho flro place, tho electric lights and up-. tO'datn heating plant. "And to think It is our home," sho said. Cntherluo did not reply. Sho was thinking fast, nnd with every thought tho now house seemed to be moro nnd moro of a whlto elephant on her hands. Upon tho broad veranda hor mother paused ccstutlcnlly. "Just see how fur I can watch you coming homo!" sho exclaimed. Cathcrino sighed. It would be pIciih anter for her mother to watch her thun for for herself to walk the dreary mile from her work. Tho next week they moved In. Their poor little housekeeping essentials made but a pitiful showing in the new house. "Wo ought to have new cur tains at least," Mrs. Linn said, So they got Mie now curtains, und, with them, shudes. The windows out Bldo looked very well. Dut -there wns not furniture enough for half the rooms. After two months had passed sho be gan to sit up nights to figure. And the more sho figured the moro frightened sho grow. Tho house wns taking ev erything, it was Hlfe u greedy giant that must bo constantly appeased. Ono afternoon Jeff walked all the way home with her nnd sho todk hi in Into her confidence. "I'm worried," she said. "Why. Jeff, I can novcr earn enough to keep Mils hoiiBo going! CAnd niother-doosn.'l, seem too understand-,0" - ' "Cuth." said Jeff, "wouldn't $70 a month" "Oh, you poor, boy!" Catherine laughed, with a boB at the bottom of hor voice. "How far would $70 a month go toward taking caro of three people and that house, when It's all two cun do to live on fifty?" "Confound tho houso!" exclaimed Jeff. "I wish sho had never given It to you. I suppose, though, It's worth u lot If you hang on to it." "So mother says. She's terribly in lovo with It. Uut for her I'd leave It tomorrow, Jeff." "If I could only get a raise," sighed Jeff. Tho winter wore on. It wub extreme ly cold. Cathcrino resigned herself to the struggle. They were novcr wnrm; they wero novcr well fed, and yet the money went as fast as t was earned. Hut no-amount of economy ciSuld have cured Mrs. Linn of her paislon for the house. Sho confessed (hat the ambi tion of her llfo had been to have n, nice now house, and now that sho had one which completely suited her she would endure. auy.MUng rather than give Ifup. "Mr. Potior says it Is worth $3,000, Cathie. Think of It! I nnvor expect ed to live In a $5,000 house." Spring brought hopo to Catherine. Light and fuel bills would diminish. And the would moke shift to havo a garden. Jeff, however, was more down-heart ed" than ever. "No hope of n'raiuc," he grouped. In May Mrs. Linn took the grip und went to bed very III. A nurso and a doctor came. Catherine was In de spair. How wub alio over to meet tho expenso of this sickness? "Now. see here, Cuth," Jeff said. "This thing has got to end somewhere. You are worrying und working your self to death. Your mother won't glvo up tho houso I always said that I'd never let my wife work, but I gucBs I ahull have to. Honey, let's get married and pool our money." The Aral day that Mrs. Linn was able to g6 out tho thrco drove to the min ister's in a cab and Jen and Catherine wero married. A week later on a Sunday afternoon as they sat Indoors together enjoy ing tho light fire that Jon bad mado In the flrcplaco tho door oponed and In walked Aunt Kredlka. She looked stout and rosy. After greetings and explanations she sat down by tho nro and looked about her. "Well," sho asked, "how do you like tho house?" "Very much," replied Mrs. Llun, "al- though Catherine thlnli it in 1'l'IIDItC. mini rreuiu smiled. t&B .-iy tuuciusion i mi ifrui crlno would come to," slii u!i inn you, u;ainenne, when I h houso I expected to lire lilt,) tho bronchitis and the doctor warmer climate. itn,. i. tcr cured my bronehltii! ! slro I might have bid to Iftl irom tins locality. ftieoailJ stay. And as I've told tit m I want to make vau mr.'.rJ one. HI giro you ;,0M for k9 "Aunt Kredlka!" crl(dCjtt.- Is yours and you are veins t "You Hhllt un. Cithirinirul Frcdlka, her old eyes tltllit running tuls busmen, II m unless you'll laXetbeJiM keep the house. I'm itditi tfl point. When it conn to riflH added Aunt Frcdlki. "the Urn could be no match for ct So Aunt Kredlka lot tit 1 Cathcrino cot th 5,M0. lM bungalow that was built viuttfl sum Is to IncxptDiltetDtih'iB they aro all able to llveiirnfl amy on Jens til'. Ail the New York Doni's By Walt Gregg t , IIS. I'RENCH looked eagorly forward to her daughter's visit to tho old homo. Edna hud been married six months after it cyclonic courtship. Hho had mot Lou Dent at her Aunt Kuto'tt in Xfltr York, ho Imil followed her homo und tho next tiling jvas a wedding. Of rourso, Mrs. 4'reooh bad expected Edna to murry, nnd sho WHtitcd her to marry well. Lou Dent ercmed most dcHlrohlo ns n (ion-In-law. lift earned h good snlaiy and ho was nioEethcr u tluo joung fellow. To Kdna he had been something moro than a romunco, ho hnd been a way nut. 8hn alwuya had louged to get itwny from Westmoro und live in it ulty. Her letters slnco her marrlngo iisEiired har mother that alio was very happy ao happy In fact that Micro bad liccu no tlmo for her to come home. Sho hud urged Mm. French repeatedly lo como 1o Iho city, but Mrs. French never had been to Now Ynik in her life and sho was afraid that even Lou could not tako faro of her there. So after nix mouths Edna was coming back to muko hor visit in her now cu paolty to her mother. Mm. French made eager prcpum Moiib. Sho hud led a colorless life. Slnco Edna's birth tho ono uolublo event sho hud known wus Edna's inar riagc. And nlnco Edna's murrlngo nothing no interesting hnd happened us thin prospective visit. Sho told all her friends and neigh bors that Edna was coming und wub mo proud und happy and childishly ex cited that hIio could scarcely rest. Thou at last tho greut day enme. Sho wus up early. She could not eat any dluncr. Edna'a train did not ar rive until 4:U0, but at :.' o'clock sbo was dressed. Sho thought with se cret enjoyment that sho lookod ruther nice. Ml St Uummlnga hud trimmed her hat oer and nho hud had tho exlru full taken out of tho uklrt of hor sec ond best frock. She walked to tho station. It wna scurcely half a mll and tho weather wan good. Sho arrived ten minutes ahead of tho train and had to si nnd on the platform and wait. Everybody camo to ujteuk to her. "looking for Edna, Mrs. French?" Sho had u nod and a umllo for each. And then sho heard u fur-off toot nnd the train camo In. Sho ran tip to tho steps of Mie day coach and stood wait ing nnd trembling. Hut no Ednu de scended. Her heart was beglnnlus: to sink when sho heard a volco behind .her: "Why, mother!" Sho turned. It was Edna und jet nol Ednn. Her daughter had chunked. Not even Flora Hempstead when sho came buck from Europe had looked so rlegaut und different from ordinary girls. Mrs, French caught her breath. Then sho kissed Edna through her lace veil. "My darling." "Why didn't you como down to tho sleeper?" Ednu chlded. "Tho Idea of expecting mo to get out of tho duy coach!" Sho turned to give a coin to it porter who had Just set two Immense suitcases at her fcot. "Whero'a u cab, mother? I must havo a cab. Don't they have auy hero?" "You forget, dear that Mils Is a suburb," murmured Mrs. French, be wildered. "Thoro's Mr. Pell. I'll get him to tukc your bageatc And, sure ly, you won't mind walking." Edna laughed and they set forth briskly, "Look around dear, and sco what's changed," Mrs. French said. "Mr. Pomeroy luta painted bis store and Mrs. Green Ib putting up it new house. And the last wind blew down Ihu big rim nt the comer there. Don't vou miss It?" Edna inughed again. "Oh. mother. Just as If I didn't live three blocks from Uroadwuy! If you only knew how a suburb looks to mo after New York. How's Tom?" Mrs. Freuch told her. As they turn ed Into Pink street, she said with a quaver in her voice. "There's home, Edua." "Yes," Edna replied hurriedly. "I shall bo glad to get In. My left shoe pinches horribly," Heforo supporting Mrs. French real ized that Edna had changed unbeliev ably. She could talk of nothing but New York and what she did there nnd what she saw there, bho noticed noth ing nt home save to disparate it. "What do you think of my uvvr suit?" Tom usked ut supper. Edna regarded him critically. "1 bet you got it ut Uarkcr's, alio said. Darker kept the gents' furnishing establishment nnd wus considered very up to date. "It looks It." "What's the matter with Edna?" Tom asked Irritably tho next day. "Nothing wo havo or do suits her now. Things used to bo good enough for hor. Yet sho's dono nothing but find fault slnco she got here. I did spunk up a llttln when sho got after Louisa ut breakfast this morning. And now sho's pitching into you. Thoro's u-mo things I can't stand, mother." "Oh. sho Isn't pitching In exactly," Mrs. French suld "She thinks I ought to have some new clothes. Nothing I havo Is good enough and I thought" sho gulped. "You know I had ovcry thlng fixed over on purposo " Tho gulp became a sob. "I don seo wJiat alia her, Tom." "I know what will all her if sho don't shut up." Tom growled fiercely. So a few days hurried on nnd poor Mrs. Freuch was Just beginning to be lieve that thcro was nothing- in the The Mystery That Happen world so disappointing as ono'a own married daughter, when Lou Dent rushed Into the houso one afternoon, hearty, rosy, big voiced and Jovial. "Hello, mother!" ho cried, kissing Mrs. French. Ho looked around. "Suy, Mils looka good to me, aftor what I'vo been getting In the city tho last three days. Thermometer up to ulncty nnd not a breath of air stirring;. Our lit tle seven by nino flat smells llko n furnace. I sat out on the fire escape Mil 3 o'clock last night. And Mien I bolted. You expect hot weather In Jtr ly und steel yourself to Btand It, but when It strikes you in September whow!" Ho sank Into t chair with it great sigh of relief. "Lucky for ou you escaped It, Edna." he said. "I tell you such u dose or hades as that makes a man want to chuck, tho city forever. The country's tho place to llvo. You ee I'vo been in New York all my life and I know." At supper ho was still loud In his praise of everything. Tho chicken, the baked beans and Louisa's bread got their full share of compliments. "It's from hand to mouth in the'clty all tho time," ho said. "Edna saya Bho 111. I. ...,A I nrtnm ill Till while until the D0vtltreJJI slic'll begin to sec that thrl iy tnrnisn anu u . :,i !.... !.... f nrr hid 1 Ml H and I haven't jotouf no. apartment six siun i"";j right here. I married go Id have a uuiue -r i wHntjou " ", spoil ncr, muiuit - , , asIcanafrordltrmrtBlJltf l ... a nlir nere to ouy ."". rkrtti Edna was crumblloklr lenee. Mtr race - -- watched licr a mow... -j and went w ' .. , , sswsaa deal udoui e ' -, us can.ly. "nut tfJ she's my aruo ''V"Vi 'iil Mrs. Frencn ioo '-, &m came, for she iti i " jM olyson.m.aw -"" Ednaagrmu"...- i(fl Ednacouiu "" "1:1j,0tk he would uot-and could " back. V Jl By Will Seaton ILDKED started guil tily when the door hell laiiR. All I lie morning Ik IiimI Ntrtigglctl with a ct an (involved problem of house keeping, nnd tho marks of tho strife w e r e. lltcrnll. Plastered all around hei And hero wus Mother Kami, the best housekeeper in town, waiting for admittance, Jim's mother It was she who bad objected to her Mn' alliance with tho bright and bon ny Mildred on the ground that as Jim hud his wuy to make in the world and had oub- Jut begun on tho Job. be needed m wife with more house wifel nuulltlea Mian the ex-school teacher possessed. "Why,' suld Mrs Kami bolemulj nnd forebodluglj, "I doubt If sho can muke u loaf of bread Mildred ugreed She hud been Irjlucr ever since her iimi'i'lagc with iiijbUtIoiib ami lurx Plicublo results, seeing that she bad follow etl cousclcutloiisl) every pre cept of her up-to-dato cook book. The Mist hatch had become liquid and, to Mildred's uinacmcnt, had poured out of the pans all over the men. Tho nest had been us hard as nails, rc hcmblliiB sheet Iron tnblcts when baked, rather than anything approach ing the appearance of tho staff of llfo, This timo trouble had marked her for its own from tho start. The mixture on the hoard beforo licr resembled u huge, bulgy, lumpy cannon ball, rath er than the toothsome- dough which evolved from her mother-In-laws gift ed hands with u celerity which seemed magical to poor, bowlldored Mildred. There wero murks of Iho fray all over the little kitchen. A trail of flour reached from barrel to table, and Mil dred's hands mid upron bore tokens of the niUup, MuKtlly donning auothor apron and wlplug her hands she opened tho door and admitted her mother In law who blandly announced her Intention of accepting a standing invitation und making u visit of sever al days. In such case, Mildred meditated, sho must get rid of that mass of unbaked bread before Mother Hand, as sho Hiirely would, insisted on helping get dinner. Various plans suggested themselves und were rcjocted. Once, when an alleged enko had been cast over tho fence, hud not Fido amiably ambled In with the detested and dis carded derelict in hits mouth? Again, when a batch of biscuits In Mio oven, had. somehow, been miraculously chauged luto bombs, tho children next door, rinding them cast uway, hud with allowable curiosity brought tbem in to ask "what aro tboy?" No, Mildred decided that, this time, her mistake must bo concealed that could not pos slbl meet the detection. A pcheme oc curred to her fertile brain. Good. She would bury thoYnlserable failure, Fail urcs, she reflected, merited burial and no resurrection. When dusk offered her u kindly dou ccalmcut Mildred "aucaked ' out into tho back yard and with guilty huote und much perspiring dug a shullow gravo In which with somo uncompli mentary uud muttered remarks sho In terred the Inoffensive but offending mixture. Smoothing tho ground down she stumped viciously upon It, saying; "There, you'll uever troublo mo again." Mother Rand was gracious. Sho made no comments on the lack of homemade foods on her Bon's table. If she noticed tho predominance of "bak er's sturf" sho held her peace, Hut Ne mesis Is never Idle. Tho dlsHgreeublo old ugent of retri bution wus right on bis Job. and, un suspecting, tho happy Mildred was soon to be aware of that fact. The next morning she saw Jim and his mother looking intently at some thing on tho ground out in tho yurd, and Jim, with wondor in his voice, was calling: "Come, Mildred, como und tell us, If you can what this Is." Her heart sank but alio Nvent out To hor horror tho bread with malice afore thought had decided to ralso. This be ing impossible except in an upward di rection tho mass had bulged to the top, carrying, fortunatoly, enough of dirt and leaves with It to hide Its Identity, but giving the Impression of some gigantic mushroom growth, "Kemarkublo!" exclaimed Jim. who was punching the mysterious sub stauce with a cane, in au attempt to discover its nature. His mother might havo suspected, but sho had come out without her glusses and was at a (lis advantage. "Can you guess what It Is?" uhked Jim; "as for me I never saw anything resembling it In all my life." -Mildred could have enlightened tho general Ignorance, and If Jim alone had been concerned ihe would have told the wholo story, but Mofber Knud! Never. So she gazed at the trembling heap and mado no sign, "Don't touch it, James," cautioned his mother, "it might explode," At this Mildred felt a wild desire to laugh and only conquered It by the alarm she felt when Mrs. Rand sug gesting gotting a box and taking a piece of the mass to her husband, who wus un export in naming unknown quantities. "Ob, Jim, don't let her," and with a shriek of unrestralued laughter sho told him the whole, mis erable story. "And, oh, Jim, If she finds out I'll emigrate!" she threatened, "for I'd novor bo able to face her again!" Jim recognized tho exigencies of tho occasion. The spado with which tho hasty burlcl had been accomplished stood handy. Grabbing It, ho uprootod the whole batch of soft and quivering stuff and with a mighty toss sent It, spade and all, over the convenient v fence and down Into the bushes whore, It may be mentloued, Neighbor Jor dan's hens later found it end gorged themselves to repletion. inen mo guilty couplo fled tp the house to Indulgo in surreptitious merri ment which threatened to become hysterical when Mother Kand, alarm and amazement combined on her coun tenance, came hurrying lu to annouuee 1 wildly that iui M"" t iM gone. iui JlTn.he, Wc,''l r. ... it was cxpl0"1' I take any of III .. yj p At the tabic, , MI J mulncd wllb tbem. jm hread. would be m contortions of ', able that nl bg,V cr ncr uau"';;,: wot t" "ji ..n.ded cook she "'r' i,cc w,i unmoved f"7 !' now to listen to strange .tory0,'"di ,on. TsaPP' . -see here, m oMftH vou tell ;",? ., fore I bought W' ill oM' . jun't say nonu ., I ro u!r.; as a rr . tbi05 " " , a Lrf