The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-18

on fresh broiled mushrooms, and they used to grow here in his time, so Cap tain Blair. just on the spur of the moment said. Come in to breakfast and then we thought we might as we'll ask the Doves instead of to 6 dinner. and that with the Waynes will fill us full.'
 You could hold twelve just as well as not" said Mrs. Blaine, with flush ing cheeks, especially when it's 50 very informal, which 1t isn't, for you sent written invitations. You needn't tell me. Carrie Steele, you just haven't forgiven us because we were invited to :he conolels to meet General Starr" Ca tremendous. though purely acci- dental. feather was that. for Blair had been acting adjutant for a month and profted socially from the cireum- stance) and so you mean to slight us now"
 That's utterly unjust and untrue, Cherrie Steele. and you know it," was the sisters proper reply. Everybody knows you were simply called in to i'll gap-the Leales had to decline at the last moment. How could I be jealous of that?" (Sensation now in sister Carries face). We couldn't ask you without sighting the Hoyts, the Lanes. the Farrars and others among the subalterns." And this when Blaines years of service tied those of Blair to a dot. The former had had better luck. that was all!
 But Mrs. Carrie got no further. Whenever she essayed to remind Mrs. Cherrie of the difference in the rank nf their liege lords there was war to the knife. Twenty minutes the wordy battle waged. and then the maddest lit tie woman in all Fort Frayne rushed home lotn working on the report of a two weeks scout. and upset the whole proceeding bv the tale of Sister Carries affront. It hit Blaine in his sorest spot, and the devil directed an accidental meeting within an hour between himself and Blair. Either was versed in war, but neither in woman-et voila tout!
 Sharp at nine of sunlit September morning the guests assembled at Blair's while a signal sergeant with his telescope in the guard house tower kept his. glass on the mouth of Moccasin tunnel a dozen miles away to the west. The train from the Pa cific was due at Frayne station at ten by the clock, but seldom came on time That could be made up in the seven hundred miles down grade to the Big Muddy. Breakfast was served to the second. hot and appetizing, but that
 
 | second glance to see, for little Mrs. Blair. pretty as a peach blossom, as rule. looked flushed and flustered be- yond description.
 General" said she to the dign- tary on her right but in tones that | comprehended the entire table, while keen glance from ner flashing eyes brought the genial post commander to | attention. T promised you a feast of fresh mushrooms. and 1t isn't our fault you are disappointed. They were sent learned at the very last moment" Now. Fenton, the colonel needed nothing more than that tone and look to tell him the whole story-that the fragrant fungus had gone to the Blaines' whom he so greatly liked, and the mistake had not been rectified. There was no need. therefore, of Mrs. 7. | Blair's saying more on the subject, but her heart was full. Despite Blair's eyebrows more she certainly did say then and much more thereafter. So the feast was a. failure. The whole party silently thanked heaven and the signal sergeant for the news that the express was coming like the wind. There was just time to bundle the breakfasters off to the station, and then. lodging her husband. Mrs. Blair | falrly neW up the line to have 1t out with Mrs Blaine-who could blame her?-and to her almost insupportable wrath she found that Cherrie had had the hardthood to go horseback riding that day of all others and was even now. probably. having the last word and 8 handshake with the inspector | general over at the station.
 "Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?" With Cherrie gone Mrs. Blair fell back on the cook. Didn't you know per- fectly well those mushrooms were mine-mine?" she demanded of Maria.
 Bless you. num-" said Maria. T never paid any attention to them. When they was showed in at the back door along with the eggs from the ranch jest let them lie there until Mrs. Blaine came down."
 But she must have known What did she say?" demanded Mrs. Carrie brea thless.
 Said jest go ahead and cook 'em. and sent half over to Mrs. Leale and lot to Mrs. Farrar and"
 She did! You're sure of that, Ma ria?" was Sister Carrie's wild query.