The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-07-21
II wonder who got my teIegram?''

u i'N'll' ihht wv hh'N 'Niiih
about the telegram. For the time be-
ing we are the MacWaddles. of West
chester. We don't even know the Dob
leys. We are just taking a little drive
through the country. In this way we
can collect IL party and escape"
They drove along the road, coming
at last to d small enclosure under an
awning where bicyclists sat around at
small tables.
This said the driver, sis CHEEKY
Rest"
And there are the Van Rippers."
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 a
temporary tent in the ear for the
dinner"
Hello. Dobley." said Van Ripper.
Il thought you were never coming"
Il beg your pardon, sir said Dob
ley; but you rave made a 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.
Curious East of mistaken identity"
said Doblev: may | ask your Nance
"Oh, say" began Van Ripper. this
is carrying a joke"
This is no joke" said Dobley. at
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, | will
make you understand that you W
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.
Il was undecided which of the seven
! places we should stop at" said Van
| Ripper. until we heard that the
CHEEKY Rest dinner was to be served
in a tent. We thought that was
rather a novel plan, and so we waited
there"
Put we must stop at each of the
other places in order to get the party
together" said Mrs. Dobley. Il
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-
orate plans there, | believe. They
have a clambake. They looked this
man Dobley up and found Le was good
for it. so they spared ne 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.
"We1l 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 a brick! You are Il royal
host. This man has made prepara-
tons on a great scale. He has had
a bowling alley put up n a May pole
and a shooting gallery in the cellar.
He said he'd have had links laid out
if he had had time. Let me introduce
the proprietor. Dobley. this is"
What name is that?" asked Dob
ley. stepping OF Freshington's foot.
Il have seer il on n tombstone in an
old country c~hurchyard."
Surely you don't forget your old
college chum. MacWaddle." said Van
Ripper. nudging Fr~eshington.
Mr.. Freshington gazed in astonish-
came up. but before they had time
to speak Van Ripper said:
"Mr. MacWaddle. ladies MacWad-
de of Westchester."
about a quarter of a mile from
here" said Dobley. "there is n most
picturesque little dell absolutely
grown up with marguerites."
How lovely" said both girls at
once.
I'VE might wander there" said Dob
ley. and gather some"
ITO decorate the tables" said the
girls. THAT will be- sweet"
Tables said Wobley. in astoniSh-
ment. What tables?"
why. we are all going to n pic
mic" said one of the girls. Aren't
you invited?"
No." said Dobley: u know moth
ing about it. | merely stopped in pass
ing. attracted by the decorations and
the air of general rejoicing"
We'll. the clambake will be ready
at six sharp" said the proprietor,
land 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.
l don't intend TO have anyone bunco
me in hat fashion,"
1--WE will return. said Freshington.
"anon."
The reinforced picnickers tramped
DOWN the road where Mrs. Dobley and |
Mrs. Van Ripper were waiting anx-