The Globe-republican., 1896-04-02


darkness a little figure running across
the fields to the old cooper shop. . ia
vorite rendezvous Of the toughs that in
tested the neighborhood. And another
figure. his stern father. in close pursuit.
But Anna had reached him first. had
saved him from his father-perhaps
from worse, for that very nights lark
ended in a fray that put two Of the
gang behind prison-bars.
And here, in George Gleason's hand.
sixteen years later. lay the ring that
he had bought for Anna on his first trip
to the city with his father. But she
never were 1t. having taken advantage
OF their absence to marry a man wnon
both opposed. And it was terrible
mistake. followed by life OF poverty
and wretchedness. Ignored by home
friends. even by the brother who should
have been az much to her as she once
was to him. poor Annie lived and died
Her children were scattered and
GLADYS; Gladys!" called Mr.. Gleason,
reused by step in the hall.
Gladys had been very willing to leave
her father in peace since obtaining HE
consent to her giving the party planned
entirely to herself and the housekeep-
er; yet she answered his call promptly.
when your cousin comes tonight.
Gladys"
Audrey. papa?" interrupted Gladys
Yes: when Audrey comes tonight,
bring her to me. I want to give her
this ring"
Gladys surprise rivaled her con.
fusion. A prettier ring than she had
ever owned to be given to Audrey!
But. papa. she-she isn't coming"
Isn't comingr' said Gleason sternly.
And why mott"
"Because-l-didn't ask her." STAN
mered Gladys. II thought we never
you never. papa"
Il see." said Gleason. ut has all
been wrong. This is very wrong. Set
it right. Gladys. or give up your party.
She Is my only sisters child"
1t seemed a tardy awakening. but
Gladys understood. She was q girl OF
resources, but even her brain failed
to hit, at once. upon plan to "set It
right" at this late hour. She could not
give up her party. for In three hourz
her guests would come. nor could she
ask Audrey to leave her own party.
though 1t must be miserable failure.
Sitting on the porch steps she thought
and thought-then her eyes sparkled
and running to her father she cried:
Papa. may do what please? May
1 have a cab? Will you give me the
ring? Ill tx it all right"
Without word Mr.. Gleason handed
her some money and the ring, glad to
have a disagreeable matter on his
hands.
In Miss Boggs' best front room four
girls were gathered. Audrey. with red
eyes and swollen face: Kate Lane and
Lou Cassell, two others whom Gladys
mad deemed beneath her notice, and
Maud Bacon, too faithful to desert a
friend in trouble. 1t was not merry
party, for Audrey could not talk and
Maud did little better. Kate and Lou
al,ernated abuse OF Gladys and sym
palhy for Audrey until their hostess
could endure 1t no longer. Hurriedly
she lett the room. Maud soon followed
and found her lying face downward
on the cot, sobbing convulsively. She
knelt beside her friend. longing to speak
some word OF comfort. but she could
only lay her head by Audrey's in silent
sympathy.
An unwonted noise In the street sud-
denly aroused her, and the rattle Of
wheels ceased at Miss Boggs' door.
Then there was sharp rap. followed
by cries of Audrey! Audrey The
noise filled the front room and the Gin
lng-room. and soon another arm slipped
around Audrey and Gladys voice said:
Don't cry. Audrey. We are all here
cakes, ice cream and everything and
everybody. Well have the incest time.
now and always, too. Just see what
papa sent your
And, sure enough. there they all were,
Gladys and her guests. with everything
that had been prepared fer them. The
Gleason party had been brought to Miss
Boggs', and so Audrey had two parties
all in one.
No one seemed to remember that
there had been any change in the origi-
nal programme. They did have just
the incest time." and. as Miss Boggs
said to Lucy Sykes the next day:
1T was the completest surprise
ever saw"