The Washington weekly post., 1900-03-13
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,.e and so exceedingly empty inside"
sad Miss Julia Henderson, casting
s-gr.fll Rlances at the meager remains
u a meager repast:
Your observation carries peculiar
9aght with 1t in view OF such dinner.
The .h.gt and youngest Miss Hender-
-aa said nothing. She occupied her time
.-..aG.ralng the wrecked dishes aboIi
,a- aat-rae1 plate.
They were lingering at table TO accom-
ra.a-- he one male member OF the fam
.g HIS name was Jack. and he was late.
Es always was late. he was systematic
10 nothing but the manufacturing OF apol-
gg.a- which salved his own conscience
without Ia the least modifying the cook 5
temper
lie made his customary tumultuous en-
Us just lu zine 10 catch the remarks
recorded above.
There hasn't been any dinner In view
since my arrival I should say my indi-
v.llal chances OF being exceedingly empty
inside were first class
Three females 10 one male Is always a
bad domestic combination--for the male.
SE bright eyes we're focused upon Jack
-aglvrg.y. Three authoritative voices
acre simultaneously raised In eondemna-
-.H-
Really, Jack, you ought to 90 for a
walter Ia a restaurant Food is all you
,L.nk about"
u am firmly convinced that nothing but
actual destiuJion will preserve you from
glut,on's death"
The youngest Miss Henderson mourn
fully averted her gaze from Jacks empty
I.a.e. "All Of his natural tastes incline
him that way"
Jack groaned helplessly.
Natural tastes be hanged, They're not
ia .L You three girls have got no more
feeling for a starving man than If he were
a golden calf"
Which you may thank your stars you
are moi, my dear"
a po,a,oe-mullied Why" invited ex-
plantations.
The temptation 10 melt you up and
convert you into hail carpet might prove
TOO great for Us at this juncture"
What's the matter with the Juncture?'
III threatens US with a man"
A man."
Haven't you heard, Jack?'
Don't you know
"Of course he doesn't. The telegram
vas addressed TO him, but nobody ever
knows where 10 ind Jack, so the operator
Sent il out here"
With which the yellow slip of paper
futtcred in Jacks direction. Its imme-
date effect was to cause his eyes to open
very wide and his lips 10 perform an in
s1diJie whistle. Finally he delivered an
opinion. ;
"Geewhilikensl Well, he just can't
come III wire him"
Miss Henderson was absently pecking
al piece of paper with a crudely sharp
enei lead pencil. She looked at Jack with
me contempt
You'll wire him what?'
"That-that were all down with the
measles; that smallpox is Oh the planta-
ton next 10 US; that the house Is burned
down, or some other equally efficacious
lie"
His sister looked at him sweetly.
The trouble with your lies, Jack, dear,
is that they are always so absurdly trans
parent, so inartistic. anybody can see right
through them"
Even Jack turned sometimes.
Then invent better one yourself,
Mel"
That is what am doing now / want
10 do il as economically as possible. Tele-
baolhSf uilltSS Ou ltdNt All lIt SCISt Oul
are so abominably expensive"
Three heads were Immediately clustered
about hers as she resumed her pecking on
The paper before her.
We will be delighted to see you. Don't
miss the lovely walk. Leave your luggage
~ the station. Our boy will call for it,"
Entirely too verbose, seeing ne did not
prepay answer" said Julia peremptOrily.
"a xsrtll -
the and our Make ii read: Delighted
10 see you. Don't miss lovely walk.
Leave bag at station Boy will call for
IL There, Jack, how will that do?"
Jack grinned approvingly.
For mendacity, it takes the cake. By
The way, speaking of cakes, what are you
going 10 feed the fellow on?'
Really, Jack, / can't think il nice or
polite Of you 10 call him fellow even
Lrhind his back. He's mammals cousin,
and he must be nice"
All right, Nan. Well then, Mel, what
@Te YOU going 10 feed mammals cousin
on' or are you going to treat him like
ole Of the family ana starve the soul out
q his bndy?'
Jules yellow silk dress will feed him
for the first week, and if he stays any
longer my jacket will have to CO.
Weeks Is he coming here TO live,
Contound him.
Not Just exactly, Jack. but YOU GER
fanny nave not forgotten the letter moth
er received from him six months ago?"
From Berlin, saying that now bis
studies Were complete he wanted To nav
the old neighborhood a visit before set
Ting down 10 the practice OF medicine
IN New Orleans"
And that"
But Mans contribution 10 the rafrash-
slent OF Jacks memory received a rude
nj?
ON, yes, i remember that and q lot
more sentimental rot about the dear old
homestead and IT'S silent halls why
doesn't he 20 straight on 10 the dear old
h9Uestead?'
1T is a rambling wreck"
So are We"
Not quite so bad as the Marston place
Jack. We've staid al home and kept the
pace up. We really look respectable on
Tie outside, but furniture will wear out"
And pianos must be sold. or course
he expects 10 find things just as they used
10 be"
Mel sighed heavily and passed the re-
'.srl telegram over 10 Jack.
Nothing IS as II used 10 be. You must
g., il on IS soon as possible, dear"
Jack read the economically worded dis
Ia'eh with a malicious twinkle in HIS eyes
Don't miss lovely walk like that
i.- fe cleyerer Than / at IL, Mel"
MISS Henderson blushed guiltily. By
nature she was averse 10 subterfuges.
We are going 10 borrow Cousin Selby's
s-'iey while Teddy is here. But It is all
1' sudden. Give me time, Jack"
r, were developing resources grandIy.
sV'e Inn on yellow silk dresses and air
.''H ln borrowed equipages How about
,-s' boy Who Is 10 call for his lordship's
'"st'gr2 What is he to be evolved from?
a'' pointed her blunt pencil point mel
o-'aila ucally al his vest buttons.
Ii' ls already eyolved-yOur"
A.t TN be hanged II he ISL
Now. Jsck, dear. see here"
=. o.-+ developed a sistCrly solicitude for
Ls So q his cravat al this juncture,
81 'endcrly readjus;ed II.
=, i'l know how We all lean on you.
'Aes. iu every emergenc.