The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-05-04


 caught me when I've got my hands full
 of lot of business that must be at.
 tended to. See those papers stacked UT
 there? Well, if you've got business
 yourself it don't so much matter. You
 can get through by half-past four cant
 you? Very well, then. You come here
 at that time and you'll find Billy and me waiting for you Don't make 1t any
 later, and we can catch the 4:45. Bring your satchel with you with enough
 things for week. We'll goodbye, old fellow for the present. I'll give you a
 time, all right
 As soon as Nicol had gone Kestei went to the telephone and called up Stokes. Stokes had been one of the bachelor trio in the old days, and he promptly accepted the invitation and said that he would call at the office at a little before four o'clock unless he fell dead with heart disease Then Keister attacked his papers and was busy with them until lunch time. It occurred to him then that it was his duty to let Mrs. Keister know something about the intended dinner party, and in the same instant he wondered what kind of a ''job" he could put up" on his old friend. That was Keister's weakness. In the old days he had been fomous for his practical jokes and 1t gratified him to think that Nlcoll recollected it. This should have filled him with shame, how ever, for they had been very dreary practical jokes, and still were dreary.
 Suddenly he began to chuckle. An idea had come to him. He walked over to the telephone and called up his house.
 "Oh. it's you, Polly" he said when his wife answered. See here; I've in- vited Nlcoll over to dinner tonight, and he'll stay with us for awhile. Why, you know, Nicoll, N-l-c-o-l-l. Did you get it? Bertie Nicoll, who used to train Billy Stokes and me-and, by the way, I've asked Billy down, too. I'm not ggglng. I don't giggle. Say, Polly Well, I'll tell you if you'll wait a minute. No, you needn't go to any particular trouble only I'd like to have things nice, of course. No, Billy won't stay. ~ Why, this is what wanted to say; I'm going to tell Nick that you have been called away, and when we come you put on one of the girls aprons and dresses and play maid .. |. Why, for a make you see anything. Now, you do pose you do; |i it's hard sometimes to make you see anything. No. you do that Polly, just to please me. We'll let things develop themselves, and we'll have a whole lot of fun out of it. You tell the kids not to call you mamma or give the thing away and I'll put Billy next"
 That was the substance of the con- versation. It happens, unfortunately, that Mrs. Keister really thinks her hus- band funny at times, and she weakly consented to the deception.
 When Stokes came around KeiSter gleefully informed him of the joke that he was going to play on Nicoll, but Stokes somehow failed to see the point of the thing, sKeister was rather an noyed about 1t, but he said he would carry it outgsAnywny. "Of course I don't know exactly whnt turn the stu- ation will takeyit lie said. but 1t will be funny situetion and anybody but a chump could ket fun out of 1t. I'll bet you I will"
 Just as yotiasay' said Stokes. "Tll keep my mouth shut"
 It was very smart and pretty maid that opened the door for the three friends at the Kefster house. Her gown was little too loose fitting, but 1t could | be seen that her figure was trim, and | her rosy checks and bright eyes, to say l of the, smile with which she 1 welcomed the head of the aforesaid | house. might almost have excused him | for chucking her under the chin--- which he did Nlcoll coughed and | Stokes looked mildly shocked.
 So your mistress is away, Katie?" said the unabashed KeIster
 Yes, sir" answered the maid, who, to do her justice, did seem a little em- barrassed.
 Well, come Into the library, boys, and make yourselves at home" said Keister, hospltably. wen have din- her in in a few minutes. more or less. You'll excuse me for just a minute"
 They excused him and he went away. When he came back Nicoll and Stokes were talking in an animated way about ] certain night and he joined in the with great gusto.
 By the way" said Nicoll, suddenly breaking off in the middle of a remi- niscence, "that servant of yours Is peach, Kelster."
 Think so?" said Keister, winking at Stokes.
 T should say SOL said Nlcoll, warm y Pretty as d picture, and she looks 'o refined and--but Keister, old man, yni, ciiuht fn---uaII--.v | Well what?"
 Well, you ought to remember that you are a married man, and it isn't fight to take advantage of her position lnd-I don't think that she liked that title familiarity of yours. Tell me about her. Where did she ome from? She isn't any ordinary irl." You seem interested" said Kester, ather suspiciously
 II am," answered Nicoll frankly. 1T ont remember when I've seen" He stopped here for the maid entered 0 announce that dinner was ready 'hey went in and the maid waited upon l hem deftly and neotly, and Nicoll, it eemed to keister, watched her grace ul movements with quite too much evil ent admiration. Keister for some req on or another seemed rather dull. His q