The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-04-05

and Mrs. Benton was tiattered and pleased.
e'You can kill the pullets, Hannah
"Pve dun it mum, and Hannah held
up two plump pullets, she was dressing for
the morning meal.
Under the pretense of securing some
thing from the dining room, Hannah went
in, in order that she might peep in to the
parlor and obtain a closer view of Phoebe's
beau
Nick was in the dining room. SsHan-
nah, he said in a whisper audible to those
in the parlor, 81 think Pheobe's beau is
cheap guy. Why he footed it here.
'sSh-, Mr.. Nick, replied Hannah
in frightened whisper.
Steve Benton looked savagely at his
brother, while Mrs Benton colored in
embarrassment.
IF Mr. Raymond heard the remark, he
did not pay the slightest attention to it,
but went on, with his narrative of hunt
ing expedition which both Steve and his
mother found very entertaining.
The clock struck ten Phoebe had not
yet returned.
II must be going and Mr.. Raymond
arose with an air of disappointment. All
evening he had watched the door anxiously
''No indeed, exclaimed Mrs. Benton,
''you must remain with us over night"
Yes indeed, echoed Steve.
II would not think of putting you to
SO much trouble ma am, replied Mr..
Raymond hesitatingly No trouble at all,
Mr.. Raymond. Phoebe must soon return
now. Pray be seated and she waved
him back into his chair
There, I told you Hannah, he was
cheap guy said Nick. 'sHe hasn't
the price to go to hotel Mrs. Benton
paled with suppressed fury. Steve talked
loudly, at the same time giving his brother
threatening look.
Mr.. Raymond appeared unconscious of
anything unpleasant having occurred, and
Mrs. Benton and Steve began to believe
he must be trife deaf Nick seemed
ready to explode with suppressed laughter.
Eleven O clock. The servant had re-
turned saying he had secured the neigh
borhood for several miles and could not
find Miss Phoebe.
"Where can she be?' asked Mrs. Ben
ton uneasily II know, mother, . called
in Nick. She said at supper, she was
going down to aunt Harriett's s, because
she would get fried chicken there for
breakfast.
Mrs. Benton looked as if she would
faint with modification. Mr. Raymond
turned and looked at Nick with an air of
such genuine disappointment that that
young man roared out right.
This was too much for Mrs. Benton.
81 thiuk Nick, y she said severely, ''you
had better retire until you can act like a
gentleman. y Not in the least rebuffed
Nick obeyed his mother. He left the
kitchen door ajar, and they heard him say
loudly to Hannah, 'swhen morning
comes mother will be furious because you
killed her pullets, for that scare crow in
there is no gentleman.
Hannah hurriedly closed the door. Mrs.
Benton looked appealingly at her eldest
son, who suggested they retire.
Steve escorted Mr. Raymond to the
guest chamber, while Mrs. Benton went
to the kitchen to give Nick the worst
tongue lashing he had ever received, but
that young man had wisely taken himself
off to bed.
The breakfast table was loaded with all
the appetizing delicacies, the most fastidi-
Gus would desire. Hannah had oct done
herself in the culinary department. The
table was magnifcently decorated with the
rare old china, carved silver and the choicest
flowers from the conservatory.
Mrs. Benton beamed with pride. She
was never as happy as when preparing for
company, especially on an occasion like this,
entertaining an enormously wealthy young
man, who was in love with Phoebe.
When breakfast was about ready, the
door opened and in walked Phoebe.
"Where in the world have you been, .
asked her mother excitedly.
ssIn bed, - answered Phoebe innocently
''In bed? What time did you 60
there
"About 7.30. But who in the world
is here that you have such sumptuous
repast ?"
s'Mr. Raymond answered Mrs. Ben
ton triumphantly
Mr.. Raymond p and Phoebe's eyes
twinkled. "When did he come. Ism {
he just divine mother?'
"He came last evening, and if by
divine you mean handsome, decidedly no,
but he has fine black eyes and he is very
agreeable.
Steve and Nick came in.
"Where is that scape goat of beau of
yours Phoebe?' asked Nick laughing
'sNick Benton" said his mother Sc
verely,' | never was SO ashamed in my
life as I was last evening. want to
know if you intend behaving yourself this
morning p
eff Phoebe doesp' Phoebe laughed
| Steve had been scrutinizing his sister
intently.
| | really believe he said slowly, "that
you are Mr.. Raymond, Phoebe.
''Of course stupid, said Nick
What p screamed Mrs. Benton.
Nick could keep silent no longer.
ssThat was Phoebe in Steve very broad
cloth suit, and the big chump never knew
his own clothes, and the hair and NOUS
tache belonged to Joe Cores masquerade
suit
Mrs. Benton was speechless.4 She
looked at her daughter as if she thought
her bewitched, and finally gasped ''my
pullets" What ever did you do it for2'
Because it was "April FOOLS Day,
and-I wanted fried chicken, answer
ed Phoebe boldly.