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About The Coos Bay times. (Marshfield, Or.) 1906-1957 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1916)
rrf CT, V IWf" If1 Tlrlllii Advcnlfir e Great i . of .Lv AM Blunder 1 , 1 i. i i . i rJT r I UK clcvutpd train was very i.uuiul crowd ed. Straps wcro at a premium, but al though MiHH Vuu Lonnan lind a strap she wiib feeling far from affable. When tho train stopped tho passengers fell forward on Miss Van Lcnnau, and when It slutted tip they fell hock on licr us one man. "That Bottles III" she nald to horsclf, grimly. "Fred must get mo ail electric Immediately." At tho thought ot lie i- adored and genorouB nephew Miss Van Lcnnun'a grlmnesa relaxed to nuch an extent that her face crew softer. At that moment Mies Van Lcnnan felt a hand slipped under her arm. It rather astonished her, Her acquaintances found Miss Van Lonnan intimidating. Tho owner of tho hand, howovor, waa not an acquaintance. Miss Van Lcnnan found horsolf looking into an upturned faco which heat and fatigue and ounburn had com bined to mako tho color of Ivory. .Kings of damp hair clung to a smooth forehead and bluo eyes looked anxious ly Into Miss Van Lcnnan'a gray ones. "Oh, do you mind? May I hold onto jrour tho girl asked. "I loso my bal ance so when I hao nothing to touch and I haven't the curveB memorized yet." bIic ended with a real Bmlle. The wcnrluosB, tho endearing damp rings of hair and the smile finished ilic conquest of MIbb Van Lcnunu. "No, Indeed!" hIic Bald. "Hold on with both hands If It's any easier." When a cry largo gentleman re luctantly forsook a seal directly In front of her, Miss Van Lcunun touched tho girl besldo her gently. "Sit down, here," alio said. "There's plenty of I room. You look worn out. too." ulio added, with unusual frlondllncss. Tho girl smiled at her again. "Just being In tho city makes me tired, I'm afraid," alio Bald, in her pretty, low voice. "I haven't dono anj thing ical ly tiring. "You'ro not n city girl?" Miss Vnn Lcnnan aBked, forgetting well bred ro Borvo In real surprise. Tho girl wna bo far from awkward, so quietly sure of herself. Sho shook hor head. Then, surmis ing tho causo of hor neighbor's sur prise, sho Bald: "School rubbed tho sharp corners off a llttlo, but I'm from tho country -Lltchflold, Me." "Not" said Miss Van Lcnnan, sitting bolt upright In surprise. Tho girl noddod confirmation. "Ilavo you friends there?" she asked. "Wo all como from Portland," Miss Van Lcnnan said, "but my only sister went to Lltchfleld when alio married." It struck with singular forco to have tho only person to whom alio had read ily unbent for Bcvcrnl yenrsprovc, after all, not nulla u stranger. "Would I know her?" the girl wont on gently. "I am called Alice Han cock." "Uabcock Is a good New England name," said MIbb Van Lcnnan approv ingly. "No, hIic died before your time, my dear, and her llttlo boj came to live with me. Tall her name wa. Tho girl uhook her head reluctantly, busily folluwlug the name through her memory. "MIbb Van Lcnnan Is my namo,"liat lady wont on, "and you must " Sho hesitated for tho fraction of u second. It was long bIuco sho had invited any girl to dlno with her. Fred waB not susceptible, but It was aa well to uin no risks, but tho bond of New Eugluud was too strong "dlno with mu aomo day, If you can overlook the Informal ity. Arc you in Chicago for long'" "Permanently, probably," Allco Uab cock answered. Miss Vnn Lonnan fish ed for a card and fountain pen and wroto busily. "Will Wednesday bo convenient?" sho asked. She put a gloved hand over tho girl's hands and said: "It's bo seldom I meet any ono from Mnlno that I want to 'make Btiro of you." "Yes, Wednesday," replied Alice gratefully. "And you don't know how good It is to moot any ono in Chicago who acts neighborly." Miss Van Lcnnan, conscious that her reputation was not that of a woman who waB neighborly, (lushed a bit. "I get off at Fifty-eighth," she Bald, and stood up, amlllng. Ah sho walked home she felt tho straugQ llttlo girl from Malno prom ised to bo an Interesting friend. Nev ertheless, after dinner that night sho thought It was well to warn Fred. "I'm going to have a girl here to dinner Wednesday night," she said. "No onq you know, Fred. Wouldn't you llko to cat at tho club that night?" Fred smiled behind his newspaper. "Why. not particularly, dear," ho said, disinterestedly? "I'll help entertain, if you like." Ilia aunt looked at him suspiciously. "Well, don't stay on my account," Bho said with some asperity. "I'll hot sho'a pretty," wagered Fred. MIbb Van Lcnnan worried now and (hen before Wednesday night. It had been such nu Impulslvo thing to ack a strange girl, no matter how pretty and well bred alio might appear on first sight, to dlno with ouo nnd one's only and unattached nephew. Un her part Alice Hahcock looked forward to WeducBday night eagerly. It was a week until tho kindergarten collogo was to open, and alio had felt that time hung heavily on ner nuncs In this strnngo city. Sho had been so excited at tho wholo occurrence tho thawing of tho austoro looking wo man; finding that Bho wub an cantorn or, too; being Invited to dinner bo quickly. Sho had been In Chicago only a week, but alio had had tlmo o bo thoroughly homesick and lonely. Tho whole conversation was u blur to her. Only Miss Van Lcnuau'fi card remain ed to make It seem anything but a dream. "I wonder If the little nephew will ho thoro, too," Bho thought to hor&clf, as sho Mulshed dressing, qulto forget ting that If the olstor had 'died beforo her tlmo' her oniull son must havn grown In tho meanwhile. "I wonder If he'd llko to aco u seashcll from his homo town?" She swept the pretty pink nnd whlto Bholl into her bag Im pulsively. MIbb Vnn Lonnan, cool and hospita ble, was waiting for hor on tho porch. Bcsldo her vas soma one, reading. As Allco came up tho steps tho some ono dropped tho pupor and shot up to an unbollovablo height. "And this Is my ncphow. Mr. Tail," Miss Van Lcnnau was Baylug. Alice, remembering the shell In hcr.Jiandbng, Um.LHXULU.lJl-' J1HUJ) 1 put there to show a little boy, urow vosy to tho roota of her hair. Miss Van Lonnan snw tho blush, und alghod a bit to herself, but, thoroughbred that she was, alio let her consternation ovor I ho blUBh 'mako no dlffcrcnco In hor cordiality. Moro than once during dinner Miss Van Leunun womlorcd wkcthor hor im pulso had been a wise one. Fred, tho unsusceptible, had capitulated to tho Blip of a girl from Ula town. Mlsa Van Lcnnan, us charmed ub ho by hor sweet manner, wub a Btluklcr for family, nud sho woudorcd moro than onco whether tho pretty simplicity of tho girl cumo from good family or from good tralu lug at school. Sho led her off Into genealogical dolall of all her towns people, but of hor own family Allco said nothing without direct question ing "I llko that, on tho whole," MIbb Van Lcnnau thought. "It Isn'l as if Bho had to forco them on otic." After dinner, on the quiet, cool porch, Allco told of hor blunder,. Sho told It charmingly, going Into hor bng for the little Bholl and holding it in a i white hand while sho told the story. "I got qulto red when I saw to whom I had Intended giving It," sho conclud ed, laughing. Miss Van Lonnan took the shell from her hand, glad to have the blush explained bo naturally. "It WI1H Vl'hV an ,-! -. lUiovcrtucloas'sl , "I rather think rn ,iPl way," Fred ii.i. "-J '?'J luiBii't ndontcil K ,.i.i?l'M JV?""-4i. I've soon a shell ULnL'l' Allco put her hand on t,k wish it were Bomethlntb' whii, ub carncfllly as a llti,. was bo homesick bcfoie IV And Mlsa Van Lonnan g tlmo Bluer- Fred had t v.. timrtu ftvnnlt, .... i . ' ( cd wholly. c That night, when Fred c J frnm InM.ir. Mill. ... u l hor boaullng house, ".J with a number of emolloniti, BCasllOll In hnr lmml ' "UlesB her bwccI hcarli fervently. "I'll wager ihe bt uio juuen jiaocociis. jjhe'i) ly." ' "I WMIlldll'f mrn II 1... i progenitor had been until liplmnr" until 1.V.I I...,.,." think that's my shell, .itmii.n Ills aunt looked at lilnijj, knowingly. "1 think ni wrlto hor a note uaktnc berfa ub uuumur, mm io comtwl lay aftornoon," Bho said. By Annette Anger! RMMMgWH TELL you thlB is , perfectly awful," walled Mra. Jones. "It certainly is." said Dotty, with conviction. "It. 1b bud enough to loso all our mon ey, hut you mako things worso by breaking your en gagement," atorruod Uotty's mother. "Can't you got together somehow and patch up your quarrol? I toll you, Ilctty, wo'ro financially .ruined." "No," retorted Betty miserably, "wo can't- In tbo first plucc. I wouldn't mako overturns toward a reconcilia tion if I could, und, secondly. Druco ban left tho city und I ilou't know wbero ho went I don't know whut we'll do. But Biircly thoro'u a llttlo money left, isn't UicroY" "Nothing. I'll have to wrlto to your undo and Bee if ho will tako us for awhllo. Really, Botty thnt marrlago would havo been most opportuno In a crisis of this sort." "Yea, and if all tho bunk caehlora would Btuy .In their banks and not klp away with other people's money mo would get along without having to commit matrimony. Munia, nupposo you tako marrlago on yourself. Why not?" "I'm too old or I would net on your suggestion," returned Mrs. Jones, wip ing her eyes. "Of courso I'll And something to do. Only I don'jL know any sort of work well enough to da It. I can sing a lit tle, play a little, dunce a wholo lot, but uot well enough to teach any of It. I loathe sowing. Tho only thing thut I llko to do la to cook" Mrs. Jones fairly screeched: "Good heavens, Betty, you don't mean you would bo a servant, do you?" "I don't know what I moan," (lured Botty, "but you can boo for yourself that I'vo got to do something. Thcro'o no tlmo for mo to learn now things. I'vo got to do what I can at once." Hetty S'inltli took up tho evening pu por und loft tho room. Her mother opened tho writing desk and procoeded to spread hor troubles over three or four sheets of lottor paper, which alio directed to her only brother, residing on a farm somowhero In tho country. Tho upshot of it all waa thnt Mrs. Smith uvcntunlly closed her homo, go ing on a long visit to hor relatives, whllo Betty, with mlachtooua eyes, went In an oppoalto direction, "to stay a fow weekB with a school friend," alio Informed her mother casually. Now Betty hud found an advertise ment In tho Into edition ot tho evening pupor which Btatcd that a "respectable family, consisting of two people,, want ed a cook. Tho salary would bo $10 per week, providing tho cook's coffee and corn pancakes and fried chlckon conformed to tho tastes of tho adver tiser." An early reply vuh rcqueateo and tbo address wub u remote spot somowhero In Mlchlgau. "I'm glad I know how to cook thoso messos," remarked Betty with her linger on the ad. so aa not to loso the place "and I'm needing thoso weekly ten snots. It's mo for Michigan, where I'll learn what I ought to, and grow up with tho country." Sho packed her plainest clothes, uuld farewell to her parent and was off. Sho arrived at hrr destination without do lay. Sho found a neat six-room bunga low, and companion worker In the form of tt mlddlo-ugcd woman alio dis covered to bo tho houuokcepcr. "I'm mighty glad to seo you, Miss," said thla- person. "I'vo tried my best to cook for this family but It's u haiu matter to plenso them." "I'll plcaso them or wring lhc:r nocka," remarked Betty, getting Into a gingham frock. "What's supposed to bo tho hour when they dine, or sup. or havo whatever meal you call It?" "Supper at G. Breakfast at S. Din ner In supposed to oc anywhere from 12 to 2 o'clock, unle8B there are orders to iho contrary." "Who wnshi'8 dishes?" "Ilotli of us" was tho quick reply. "Hut the son of tho houso occasionally tries his hand at It. Ho messes around in tho kitchen frequently. He likes to cook, ho says." "I'll 'mess' him." remarked Hetty. "The Idea of any man coming in to miiBB up my clean dishes!" Now In her ntothor'a kitchen. Hetty and Bruce In tho golden days of their engagement had (jayly concocted many an Impromptu meal, Hut that was dif lercnt, "But whero aro tho people?" de manded Hetty on tho second day after her arrival. "I haven't Been a soul tduco I camo hcio but you. What's tbo mutter with our family? Hub It died or goue fox trotting?" "Don't you worry our family will mnko you step high onco It appears. It will bo on hand for a hot auppo to night." Hetty looked very thoughtful. "I ahull havo smothered chicken, rlced potatoes hot biscuits, und there'll bo India relish, besides pound cuko and creamed peaches. If they can with stand these they aro a heathen family and deaorvo tho worst." "Not heathen at all," objected tho housekeeper. "They belong to the church rich and highly respectable but eccentric. Tho family consists of a mother and sou. Tho mother has a high noso and a (Inn belief that what she doesn't know cannot bo fouud In books. Tho sou Is a good sort. Heller put your bonnet on straight and tako this youth In out of the cold. Ills uuuio IflTcd. Thoy drink coffee thrco times every day. I'll wait on tho table." "Thauk you," Bald Betty, sweetly, It was dark wheu tho family got home, Hetty had not tho ollghtcst glimpse of either tho mother or tho son. Hut both sent out word ot tho highest pralso by tho housekeeper. They woro delighted with tho supper. If this grndo and quality of cookory wub a specimen of what tho new cook could do she must consider herself un der a life-long ongugomcut. Yes, lu doed. Hor corncakcB and crisp bacon wcro exactly right In tho morning. Itcnlly, whut a Jowel they had secured, rr:ce tb,o mother us sho rose from tho table. "I'll Just go seo what sho'n like," alio remarked, descending tho stops that led to tho kitchen. Hetty rose rather pale as she baw her coming. Bchlud his mother and looming abovo her a llttlo walked tho son. Yes, he, too, must seo what tho new cook looked like. Was sho fat and fair and forty older than that, probably to bo bo lino a cook? Any way ho would stum! In with this neces sary person. Ho glanced about, his ryo fell upon Hetty, who by now wub white ub death. "Why. Hcttyl" ho exclaimed, Eolug toward her. "Ilrucc." she muttered, trembling llko a leaf. "You hero? I cau't bolluvo my cycHl" ho cried. "Do oti kuow this person'" united inuduni haughtily. "Explain yourself." "Know her!" ojaculiited the son, pul ling his u,nn around Hetty. "I certain ly do. Sho Is Hetty Smith, tho girl thnt throw mo over aud broke my heart and trampled on It. Yes, I know her, to my cost. I told you about Hetty." "Why, you llttlo vllluln," said tho housekeeper to Botty, "protendlnf; to mo till this whllo that you woro a Btrangor, yet knowing tho family well." "I am a atrnngor," wept Botty. "I never saw this lady bofore. Tako your arm away from my waist, Bruce. It you aro Ilrucc, how, Is ll that you aro Ted, too?" "Euay enough. I nm Tbeodral (.llllon. My mother alwijri ( Ted. My mother la Mn having married again alter mb ueaui." "How does it happen," is McKeuzy froezlngly, "that i flancco Is hero In the chine1 hired cook?" "I'm nut your sou's fiancttl'l out Betty. "I did nut hoi II coming to your home, or to tin wheu I camo hcic. I anneal! ndvortlsemcnl for a rook Ire person, but you wcro not altos I stayed on until jonnirrlut i cd tho situation." "For why, Hotly!" asked Brs "IIochiima ihn bunk caihlltt with all our money, and itl tiling I Knuw uow in uo mora mother thinks I am vlsltmii: aomowhore." Mmo. McKeuzy smothered it "Vnu'rn n tirnvu voiinc ladr. In your courngo nnd certainly lonl cooking. Ted," turning to w "aco If you can persuade .Mint forglvo your faults and tale Irlrif iitviiln " "Will you. Holly?" asked Trt "Yes," replied uetty nemo will." At Least A Thousan HE colonel ot tho Forty-second In fantry wna an Irishman who wus very proud of bis nationality und who alwuys Insisted that ore-ry great Amer ican was in roallty an Irishman. As his tern nor wan iln- rldedly fiery, his brother officers, all junior to him, of courso. hud decided never to contradict him. but alwayB to allow hlra to exhaust himself with his own efforts. When ho launched out on lita favorite, toplo, therefore, ho waa llBtoned to in alienee by ull hla subor dinates, but iu revenge it was tho greatest delight of Uin boya lu tho reg iment, in hla absence, to inlmlo hla volco and manner and to represent him na uttering the most astounding Hi bernian falsehoods. Ills full nanioaud tltlo wero Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Mlcbuel Hoollhan. Ho was lnvarlubly known, however, aa "Old Pat." Whon Uio offlcora of tho Forty-second learned that a major from the Sixty-fifth bad been usslgncd to their reg iment, which had been ordered to inoo from Detroit to Seattle they naturally began to wonder how this Scotchman, John Anguo Mucleod, would get along with the colonel,, und tho latter wtoto to tho colonel of the Sixty-fourth, wher was an old frloud, to kuow what sort of a fellow tho latest addition to his staff was. A prompt reply reud: "Muc leod is u fine gentleman, honorable, and a flrst-chiBs soldier. Hut t hero's ono point on which I particularly wish to caution you, ho' always anxious to betwants to bet on anything and ovorythlug and ho lnvarlubly wins. Put, bo suro you never bet with him." Soon utter Major Maeleod'a arrival at tho headquarters of the Forty-second, Captain Farquaraon said to his now Biiporlor, "Major, what course do you Intend to adopt wheu Old Pat tolls you. as he certainly will, that tho Irlshuiun'a the only true man on earth? no's furious If any ono contradicts him on that subject." "Indeed," wub the quiet reply, "I'd llko to bet you 1200 to ?25 that If you'll draw him out on hla favorite toplo I'll contradict him on every point, that we'll havo an angry discussion, but thut iu tho cud tbo colonel will bo both good humored und pleased." "I'll tako tho bet. You don't know Old Pat," was tho nnawer. Two weeks later, when all the offl cora wcro having a dinner at the Pont churtralu Hotel, Major Macleod re marked: "I've ordered two dozen of Scotch whisky from New York, I don't IlKo our domestic whisky aud I posi tively loatho Irish. It makes mo sick. After all, tho Irish aro all degenerates, ub Is proved by tho fact thut mery Irishman of anything like ancient descent has a black roof to his mouth. Isn't that true, Colonel Hoollhnu?" Old Pat was almost incoherent villi rage, "it's an Internal lie," ho roared, his eyes almost starting out of his head, "What, havo you ucver lituid, colonel, that tho bogwuter of Irelaud causea tho roofs of tho people's mouths to becomo black, und thut this characteristic, has beon passed on to that ull Irishmen aro of ancient lluo ngo?" "Tho Hoollhnna aro among tho very oldest of Irish families aud none of us ever hud a black roofed mouth!" shouted tho colonel, as he struck the ta bic with his (1st, causing ull tho glubscs to 8hako. "Hut havo you ever exumlucd jour own mouth?" asked Major Macleod, iu a low, calm tone. "I'll bet two to ono that tho roof of your mouth la black, colotfol." he continued. Old Pat was uow almost speechless with augor and hla face waB nearly purple. "I'll hot fifty dollars to a hun dred," ho sputtered. "Here's my ttfty. Olvo It with your hundred to Captain Davis. My mouth bluck, Indeed!" The major uow suggested thut ocular Inspection by tho stakeholder would bo the proper way of dncldlug tho bet, but to this proccduro the colonel at first objected, it seemed to him subversive of dlhclplluo for tho commanding offi cer to havo his mouth Inspected after dluuor before all hla subordinates, No other say of deciding tho bet, howovor. occurred to htm, und now thut ho had 'gone so fnr ho was determined to wlu tho hundred dollars and to teach this Amerlcnn-born Scotchman, who was aa pigheaded as If he'd been born in Glasgow, u much needed lesson. Having lighted a match, Captain Da vis carefully Inspected tho roof of Colonel Hoollhun's mouth. "Decidedly red," said tho senior captain with i curious laugh; "not a trace of black." Old Pat breathed heally nnd ho glared at his adversary, who, still re taining his usual composure, remark ed. "I'm enormously surprised. Of courso I believe you, Captain Davis, but if ou would ullow me, colonel, I should llko to look myself, Just to con vince my eyea." "On abend. You'll have to pay for jour peop aud your Insult to tho hisli. No Irishman ever yet had a black roof to his mouth." "Open your mouth wide, colonel, You must open It wider, please, or I can't see." With these words, tho sacri legious Macleod actually took hold of Mb commanding officer's noso with tho ttnger and thumb of ouo luiml, aud of his chin with tho other hand, ami pressed them gently lu oppoalto direc tions. Thero waa not a man In the room who did not hold his breath for a moment In anticipation of a violent ex plosion on tho part of old Pat. Hut tho lutter boro this Insult from tho auda cious Scotchman llko a lamb. Tho In dignity, it Is true, was of very short duration, for Macleod was satisfied with a glance for a second wheu tho colonel's mouth was wldo opcu. "I havo lost." ho bald, cheerfully, "Cap tain Davis, please glvo Colonel Hooll han the money," Tho latter took tho bills with tho most portcntlous gravity. Ho seemed to bo puzzled and uncertain as tu tho tight course of action. Ho tcrowod up his faco Into curious wrinkles. Then ho rubbed his nose, Tho comic side vof tho mutter, howovor, presented Itself very forcibly to lilm, and ho laughed loudly. "You've lots of nerve, Muc leod," ho said, "too much for your own good. Hut I never imagiucd that a Scotchman aud his money woro so boon purled." Amjil Bjnipathctlc luughtcr from tho entire room tho colonel's ludlgnutlon melted Into iutouse eujoxmont of hla own Bitccess. Cnptuln Farquursou hud, ot course, lost bis ?2G, but ho could not understand why tho major should risk his money In this foolish manner, aud also risk a very serious reprimand from tho commanding offi cer If nothing worse. Two duya later Colonel Hoollhuu wrote to hla friend, the commander of the Sixty-fourth Infantry: "I'm uot at all Impressed with that Scotchmun you bont us, Major Mucleod. He's too dead suro of cvcryimlng ho Bays, Ho'II never got above his present rank. Only a few evenings ugo ho nctuully bet $100 to my $50 thut tho roof or my mouth was black! According to,hlm all thoroughbred Irishmen havo black roofs to their mouths, but there Isn't a word of truth In his tale. However. Just to show him how llttlo ho knows about Irishmen, aud to glvo hln; a much needed lesson I made tho bet I wish you could havo seen his faco when ho lost. I couldn't help laughing to noto how confident ho hnd beon and how thoroughly humiliated ho was wheu he saw It for himself that tho ffr . .. M , r .. n ,n mm in hi iff urn mi i i -TrMmiamw iinnim i . rrm r.t:.. ..i.. i J-..ii-.uijLJiauLjjajuiuLJiMUjM ., .-. ... .nmitii vent red. 1 ....... ,AllAi... nMItt fyA Ji I OWII. 1UUI' irnuno ,.. - dolt8lfhe.us,ouwrl?a.J won wucnover no "" """. ,J7U ovor. It's qulto cvmeui iu . - A ...! mo rccora. ,. ,.. II ,1nnl llCfilll liy ICllirn limn """,", ii,! velvet! tho following front U frlnnrl! t'Dcar Old Pat: W f matter wltu your i umri pointedly not to bet wl j Couldn't you seo that ome tn bo involved wiien uo " -. throw away his monW M Jg U1CUIOU8 BUDJCCl na " """ - OiaCKT All Win ""'",'. ,mio know you und your old Lot WW reputation, ana ueioio ;",.,, ho mudo bets iu iwo -. . tlcully every offlcer we hav'tMl Jn a montu or juiumb - lieu ho would pull your nose lu jl once or at leuai u """", ' in c-' and that ho would LU martlaled uor oven arreted i It. And there's no doubt M, It, na I'vo seen a e -- dozen of your fellow. i having seen him do It. . net wiui muuicui i. - doiur. won at icasi u uiuu By Elsie Eridicotl AUGARE T hud f "" watched with much T&!-. lntorest a dlscus- s, - aiou of whut was culled "The Lonely Girl Problem." which wub carrlod on in ono of th lo- , . en! nowapnporfl. , r, Kuch evening us " '- bhe read tho column devoted to the subject tho proverbial "llttlo mouse In tho corner" heard her ciclulm: "That's jtibt it! That fits my caso exactly. No, that wouldn't solvo tho question at all," or aomo similar re mark, Tonight ho gavo a great stmt qnd darted quickly to his polo in the w-lld a fox trot as her two-by-four room would permit. If ho had also boon u learned mouse, ho could also havo discovered tho causo of her hi larity, which waB meroly tho following notice In tho paper: "Mra. Hourdou Invites to her homo ut tho Hcd Hooka on Saturday after noon, September tho olovonth, all 'Lonely Ulrls or Young Men, and any Interested In tho bolutlon of the Lone ly Problem.'" With flushed cheeks and sparkling eyea Margaret sank Into an armchair by tho wludow. Tho noises of tho street, tho screaming of children at play tho calls of "Ico-ss. ro-o-n-l" and tho rattling of heavy trucks did not disturb her tonight. Sho was thinking might possibly And there. For, of courso, she would go aud she would bo introduced to Ll.ni. Introduced? Sho hadn't had a real introduction in bo long sho didn't feel suro alio could carry It through proporly. Springing to her feet sho shook hands with an Imaginary person, saying gay- iy; "I shall bo glad to know you." Indeed sho would be glad to know them, for did they not share her lono llncss in tho big city? Thero was one "You," however, with a capital letter whom she unconsciously Bought in ev ery introduction. She wondered vague ly whaa he would ba llko and almost immediately thought of tho "young Margaret, and gluuced cautiously acio8 tho nariow Btreet at a window directly opposite her own. Hy tho dim light of a hulf-worn Welsbaeh burner, a young man sat rcadlug, half reclining In a Morris chair with uu air of comfort that was very restful. Many a ulght Margaiet'a eyoa had encountered this same scene, for, llko herself, ho seemed to havo an aerslon to drawing curtains unless abaolutcl) necessary. Sho llkod to look Into that room occasional!) , It seemed In somo way to decrease her own loneliness. Often sho speculated about his character, but could only ar rive at two things; that ho was fond o' bookB and of staying quietly at nome to reau tnem. una waa epeculat- disconcerting big bluo eyes gazing iu her direction over the edges of tho newspaper. "Could he seo her?" She hadu't thought of thai before, and yet li was very natural, bho drew back from tho wludow, still coert!y watching, Sud denly tho young man rose and, dr.nc lug around the room, ended with a mimic introduction to uu Imaginary person. "What did It mean?" Margaret smiled tu aplto of herself, but quickly drew the curtains for tho night and when alio finally fell asleep she was still wondering. Tho parly was a great success, Tho weather man and Mrs. Hourdon had houso stretched out to meet the ted brown rocks which nuturo had thrown In great piles aloug tho Bbore; beyoud that was tho ocean and tho bluo, bluo sky and fur oul a llttlo whlto sail, Margaret was very happy, enjoying tho scenery, tho amusemeuts, the guy com pany. Best of all, tho prlnco wub there tho young man across tho way! Separato Introductions had been dis pensed with and euch ouo wearing his or her name on a paper pinned to tho sloeve. was considered introduced to cveryoue else. In this way, Margaret had not had any direct conversation with the object or her curiosity. The afternoon was passing quickly, boon tne last feature of the entertain WW.PMIeKtf'Sw?l wise, a jjijsu w ' " lftUenie 1 clover "hit." Mu'SeW caused by tho various Bl' i.H Margarot was watcuiw, youug man across tne w arose and, uniiouuclus ' . onr Impersonating a "low M . m ing Mrs. Bourdon's "Ttbe f quickly at Margaret, 0aDe out In every detail ' her Had pwivlously cnacw " hD,iJ rpom!rHo was greeted jjw , , cWdUtlytoM.. 'this pnw .'";' am i ne", will yon accept it? Al J introuuctlon.' r-v, TrMMfihiii irliiir riirn- itti I'.H. t i f. ' f- . T THHBK'JRnmWW ir. "73 XV Vl.I.lLtU.ttCte..A.AbMUk.J .VJ. . 1 yaHwi ii-. ."l will. -.ia'rft-f i