The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-04-27
A lEIMLZf M00LNG
E,nrrirht IL. - : ,roclnr. !,

tosos ioT the napE on the taboret
The gas log was pt ring cozily. Arc
ma o. the rich Jaw berry permeated
the room. The soft light threw shad.
ows the kind in which cupids love to
nest
The room Itself was one Of those
dream places calculated to WOO a bach
elor away from his sordId seS-silky
curtains. delicately tinted walls, books
That looked as If they had rare tales to
tell and chairs that invited with arms
outstretched.
Mscdune inhaled the fragrant atmos-
phee Of content and was happy. With
out intending to make an inventory he
permitted his eyes "a wander from one
thing to smother. Hi@ glance eventual
IL gavitated to tbe gIrs. All, here was
the piece de reslstancey What other
could have worn so pretty a gown or
worn a pretty gown so well? Who but
genius feminine could have arranged
every fold and aounce Just where it
would most favorably set Of the charm
ing figure?
Miss Wright was looking at him.
and the victory, almost complete, was
won by her eyes, ike masked batteries
behind the dropping lashes. He asked
hesitating question that brought a
reasonably prompt reply. The coffee
urn and the gas log blinked knowingly
at one another.
Four months from the day that Mac
dune went from the golf links into the
Wright home for a bit OF conversation
and sip Of coffee he was riding west
ward with her on a Pullman, looking
happy indeed.
Mrs. Macdune beamed over the din
ing car table ut him. She poured the
coffee and plunged a sugar loaf into
its amber bath with a merry little
smile and an air Of domestic proprie-
torshlp.
Claire" he said, do you know that
little luncheon over the gas log that
October afternoon was one of the
things that convinced me you were the
signpost pointing me along lifes high
wayI The coffee and the tiaky biscuit,
you know. 1 thought any girl who
could set little repast Ike that was
worth a princes ransom"
The bride thoughtfuIly snapped a
few bits Of rice from her travelling hat.
Here was strong temptation to be
met and conquered and she only three
hours a wifei
Jack" she said at last, my sister
Edith made that luncheon. am so
sorry. know no more about cooking
tbanI do about Arizona politics"
Jack laughed reassuringly.
Il was going on TO say that the cook
Ing was a comparatively small matter.
You see. the pretty little den was ar
ranged with such exquisite taste.
knew girl who could hang those pic
lures in Just those places would U'ake
any man on earth wife worth hav-
Ing"
She looked out of the window A
haze obscured the fash OF forest and
meadow. and when she turned to him
again her lip was trembling. But hon
esty won again.
"0h. Jack. I am awfulIv sorry! My
sister Flo arranged that room while
was in Buffalo last spring. They all
say my taste is despicable when 1t
comes TO arranging things"
AIacdune seized her hand.
Forget what said. 1t was only
fooIlshness. You know, Claire, that
the real motive was yourself; your
gowns too. Why, Claire, you are the
envy OF all the girls in town. How
could a plain old peasant like me fail
to fall head over heels in love with
you?"
Jack. don't; oh, don't" she pleaded.
"oh, Jack. my sister Ethel makes all
my gowns and plans them too"
Having INDUCED in the brutal care
lessness Of being specific. Macdune
would have protested that he loved her
for herself, her personality, her sweet
sympathy. her smile, her voice, but he
feared she would arise and say, Alas,
they, too, are all borrowed" Here hH
was, poor man, welded to girl who
could neither cook nor sew.
1T seems, jack she said after a
painful silence. that you have married
my sisters by mistake" She made
pathetic attempt to smile.
The tear in her voice melted him COM
pletely.
Claire he exclaimed.
Il feel Ike prisoner at the bar,
she hurried on. ''The charge is obtain
ing a husband under false pretenses.
must assure the Judge and jury that
the only thing can do is to say ! am
penltent and promise to make restitu-
ton. / shall learn to cook better than
Sister Edith, sew better than Sister
Ethel and hang pictures better than
Sister Flo"
Jack brought bis judicial fist down
on the table.
"Tne prisoner is discharged" he said.
1t was only the other day that Claire
won first prize at a housekeepers' exhi-
bition FREDERIC A. SMITH.
-
He Didn't Get the Tart.