Willmar tribune., 1900-08-01

3sAAS4 A|oDASy ~ SvS
must pretend that we know nothing
saboutsthe telegram. For the time be-
ing we are the MacWaddles, of West
chester. we don't even know the Dob
leys. Weaare just taking a little drive
through the country. In this way we
can collect our party and escape"
They drove along the road, coming
at last to 9 small enclosure under an
awning where bicyclists sat around at
small tables.
"This," said the driver, "is CHEEKY.
Rest" s~ Il %~..<
"And there are the Van Rippers," -;
said Mrs. Dobley. 'We'll get out and
let them know about the fix we are
in
The proprietor of CHEEKY Rest came
out, rubbing his hands in anticipa-
ton.
do you belong to the picnic par
ty?" he asked. "We have erected q
temporary tent in the rear for the
dinner"
"Hello, Dobley," said Van Ripper.
II thought you were never coming"
II beg your pardon, sir" said Dob
ley; ''but you have made mistake.
My name is MacWaddle. This is Mrs.
MacWaddle."
Mrs. Dobley winked violently at
Mrs. Van Ripper, while Van Ripper
looked astonished.
II thought we were going to meet
here?" he said.
j Curious case Of mistaken, IDENTIFY
said Dobley; may ask your name?"
''Oh, say" began Van Ripper, "this
is carrying a joke"
"This is no joke" said Dobley. 1T
is a very serious matter. If you will
walk along the road. with me while
the lady who is with you occupies the
carriage with Mrs. MacWaddle, I will
make you understand that you owe
me an apology"
Thus the party left CHEEKY Rest and
Dobley explained the situation to Van
Ripper, who agreed that it would be
dangerous to admit the authorship of
the: dispatch ordering dinner.
II was undecided which of the seven
places I'VE should stop at said Van
Ripper, :'untfl We heard that the
CHEEKY Rest dinner was to be served
in a tent. We thought that was
rather novel plan, and so we waited
there"
:."Rut we must stop at each Of the
other places in order to get the party
together" said Mrs. ,Dobley. II
shouldn't want to lose any of them.
What is this place all decorated with
flags and banners?"
" ''That is CHEEKY Grove" said the
driver; "they have made very elab-
crate plans there, I believe. They
have a. clambake. They. looked this
man Dobley up and found lie was good
for it. so they spared no expense"
AS the party neared Cherry Grove
the sound. of an orchestra was heard
and Mr.. Freshington and two girls in
red golf coats appeared on the piazza,
waving their handkerchiefs.
"Don't notice them," said Dobley.
"We'l have to get away by strategy.
Let the carriage proceed slowly and
wait around the bend of the road"
Freshington came out to the gate
to meet them. "Dobley," he said,
"you're. q brick! You are a royal
host. This man has made prepara-
tions on a great scale. He has had
bowling alley put up ana a May pole
and shooting gallery in the cellar.
He said he'd have had links laid out
- h hnl ho1 ~ w.
the proprietor. Dobley, this is
"What name is that 2" asked Dob
ley stepping on Freshington's foot.
II have seen it on a tombstone in an
old country 'churchyard." ,~~
'.Surely you don't forget your old
college chum, MacWaddle," said Van
Ripper, nudging Freshington. ats
Mr.. Freshington gazed in astonish-s
ment anthem just as the two girls
came up, but before they had time.
to speak Van Ripper said:
''Mr. MacWaddle, ladies - MacWad-
die of Westchester.", .,,.. <...:.......>
"About a quarter: of mile from
here" said Dobley, t'there is most
picturesque little dell. absolutely
grown up with marguerites."
"How 1ovely!" said both girls at
awe might wander there" said Dob
ley,.'s.and gather some"
TO. decorate the tables" said the
girls. "That will be sweet"
- "Tables!" said Wobley, in astonish-
ment. 'What :tables?"
:'Why,. we are !: all going to a pic
nic," said one Of the girls. "Aren't
you ,invited?''' 90. f., J:
*No,' said Dobley; ~ know moth
ing about it. I merely stopped in pass
ing, attracted. by the decorations and
the air Of general rejoicing." T., l.
'Well, the clambake will be ready
at six sharp" said the proprietor,
"and if you meet this. man Dobley,
tell him he might as well come over
and eat IT, for he'll have to pay for it.
I don't intend to have anyone bunco
me in that fashion,.
,""We will RETURN" said Freshington,
"anon." 80, ---s@'ss
The reinforced picnickers tramped
down the road where Mrs. Dobley and
Mrs. Van Ripper were waiting anx-
iously. ."'T''S
4 II think it would be better il we
were to break in detachments of two,
while securing .Ae surrounding res
taurants," suggested Dobley. "Fresh-
ington and I will 60 on as scouts and
Van Ripper can remain here on
guard.