Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-07-12

merrily; "there's just one way out o
it that can see"
At about the time when the after
noon train was due Mrs. McLapt
seated herself upon the pleasant
piazza to watch for the approach o
her husband and his guest. Shemadt
pretty picture as she arose to greet
them, her graceful figure framed in by
the climbing rose vines that wert
trained about the porch.
Her welcome OF her husband friend
was so simply sweet and graciou:
that Cunningham was charmed; and
when, after a few moments Unpleasant
conversation, he had been shown uI
to the pretty guest chamber, he was
inclined to become a convert to his
friends radiant views OF married life
in a suburban home.
The moment that Mrs. McLane had
her husband to herself she hurried
him into their own room and closed
the door. A few rapid words of ex'
PLANTATION followed, causing perplexity
and surprise on the part of John Nc
OF laughter.
An agonized entreaty from his wife,
solemn promise exacted and given,
and sealed with kiss, then Mrs. Nc.
Lane FASTENED down stairs again,
where Arthur Cunningham found her
when he descended a moment later.
And she was looking even prettier, he
thought, than when he had first seen
her ten minutes before.
They were joined by the host soon
after, and the time passed pleasantly
and swiftly until dinner was announc.
ed by tall and comely young woman
dressed in the conventional neat gown,
with immaculate cap and long white
apron.
Johns elastic mouth stretched wide
ly at this pleasant apparition, but his
wife gave him a warning frown, and
congratulated herself when she saw
that Mr.. Cunningham had noticed
neither the maid herself nor the ex-
preston OF his friend.
He did, however, notice every de-
tail OF the daintily-set table, with its
appointments all in perfect taste.
The dinner too, was all that the most
fastidious palate could desire, for old
Sarah was a cook who seldom failed.
and every course was served with the
perfection OF smoothness and preci-
sion.
Once or twice, as the dinner was in
progress, Mrs. McLane-with some.
thing like q spasm Of disapproval-
saw that the Englishman's eyes were
following the movements OF the deft
and graceful maid. But the maid her
self went on with her duties with down
ness OF Mr.. Cunningham's observa-
ton.
Suddenly the Englishman dropped a
bombshell in their midst. ooh! er-
Mrs. McLane, l had the idea should
see your sister here tonight. 1 had
quite looked forward to-er-meeting
her, don't you know"
The delicate flush of Mrs. McLane's
cheeks suddenly deepened; the wait.
ress, having nothing special to do at
that moment, swiftly withdrew into
the pantry and almost closed the
door; but John McLane FASTENED to
the rescue.
"Oh! we'll, the fact is, Cunningham,
you see. my Observation-Disclosures
just now. It's unfortunate-Td have
liked you to meet her; she's a very
pretty girl and clever, too-deucedly
clever" This last in almost an under
tone, with his eyes on the pantry door.
II had the idea she was living with
you, you see; er-I don't know how
made the blunder."
"But she does live with u.s." said
Mrs. McLane, unwilling to leave her
guest under falseimpression, "only''
casting about for truthful expla.
nation and finding none but what her
husband had already given-"only,
you see, she isn't-here-just now
She hurried over the last few words
as she saw the pantry door was slowly
opening.
The entrance of the maid diverted
Cunningham's thoughts from the alb
sent sister; and when finally the din
ner was ended and the two men were
enjoying a smoke before joining Mrs
McLane upon the piazza, the English
man remarked slowly and thoughtful
~. 1ud1 WdltieSS VI yours seeLuS u
be quite All uncommon sort of person
don't you know? She has quite dis
tinguished air about her, and sheer
understands her business remark
ably WE'LL"
II believe you," assented McLane
broadly; "my wife and l both looi
upon her as a perfect TREASURED"
The evening was over, and Mr.. Gun
ningham had gone to his room. Johr
McLane was smoking q 1ast cigar
among the roses, and pretty Mrs
McLane was hugging and kissing hel
pretty waitress in the dining-room.
Suddenly door overhead was
heard to open swiftly and then close
and the two who had been tenderly
embracing sprang guiltily apart, ane
the waitress vanished from tn,
room.
In a moment she reappeared, how
ever, her head we'll UP, a most conf
cal expression upon her face, and il
her shapely hands-held out befor
her ike weapons OF oe1ense-a pair o
large and heavy shoes.