The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-10-13
HIS TRYING ORDEAL.

George, we must entertain for Aunt
Judith" said Mrs. Lawler at breakfast
one morning, as her husband. the abb
sent-minded musician, turned the cream
on the latest brand of breakfast food.
There was a finality in Mrs. LAWYERS
words that commanded her husbands
instant attention.
Must WEI" he remarked. dolefully.
Eyes. Aunt Judith will think it very
queer of us il. we do not. There is no
telling when she will come west again
and | want her to carry good impress
sion Of Chicago and of us-of you-back
to Boston-to all the girls there, my old
friends. They couldn't help thinking it
odd, George. that you forgot the hour
of our wedding and came rushing in at
the last minute in your golf suit. 1t was
little unusual, you must admit" she
added icily
Il want you to redeem yourself" she
continued, in determined tone, "if l
could only be sure you would do just
as say and not make matters worse"
My dear Marion, | will do anything
you say. Don't always do what you
ask me TOT" he asked, in a grieved
voice.
Well then. listen. We must give
quite an affair-a reception, in fact
both afternoon and evening, in order
to take in everybody-all our friends and
all your patrons and admirers. We must
do 1t in perfect form. We cannot con-
slider expense George"
Lawler agreed.
And, George. do so want you to be
wide awake and do everything just
right"
"Therell be no carving, will there, my
dear?" he asked meekly.
Carving! OF course not. But you
always do something absurd and make
me vow never will entertain again. I
don't want you to saunter off with Mr..
Brown for a smoke when you are needed
in the parors or to talk arias with Prof
Chaplin when the ladies need ices or
play your own symphonies when the
soloists are to be accompanied. What
would Aunt Judith think? | want you
to stand with me near the door and well
come all our guests and be there to bid
them good-by. Now, that is easy. Will
you do it?"
Lawler was fully awake to the situa-
tion. MY dear" he said, Invite all the
guests you wish. Ipromise to give them
my undivided attention"
The Lawler reception was brilliant
success. Not thing went wrpng from
start to finish. Lawler stood in the
agony of full dress, high collar and sum-
mer heat and told people with an air
of sincerity that he was delighted to
see them" that he rejoiced to know that
they had enjoyed themselves" and
smiling, bowed them in and out. He
grew faint and wan and weak and wilted,
but he was on duty every minute.
"Your husband is simply charming"
Aunt Judith whispered 81 suppose you
entertain great deal-you ought to
with him to help you"
Mrs. Lawler smiled little uncertain
ly, for the day was not yet over But at
midnight as the door closed on the last
guest and Lawleer, limp and haggard
fell into chair. his wife's eyes glowed |
with tender pride. "You did beautifully, !
George" she told him
Lawer said nothing but he wondered
why he hadn't felt the need of a vacation
before. He decided to so to the coun-
try at once.
All during the few hours Of sleep left
to him he was shaking hands and say
ing over and over again that inane
phrase: so delighted"
The next morning after late break
fast Mrs. Lawler announced to her hus-
band that she and Aunt Judith would 20
town-town with him. as they had some
shopping to do. They boarded a train
and found seats in the midst of party |
OF picnickers, Mrs. Lawler and Aunt !
Judith were still discussing the triumphs
of the day before Manlike, he couldn't /
see why they didn't drop it, row that it
was safely over. He lapsed,into semi |
conscious state and soon a melody he
had been working on for months took
possession of him. 1t kept running
through his head to the accompaniment
of the creaking train till he could posi- |
lively hear it executed on the piano. If !
he were only at the studio at that mo-
ment he knew he could express the thing
perfectly!
Ills AAtCio bS6dis 10 D4tN across MS |
knees as on keyboard. He hummed
softly. His head moved in perfect time,
his feet tapping the floor.
"Goorge!" his wifes voice broke
sharply upon him. He awoke from his
dreams and with dazed look sprang
to his feet Then his eyes lighted M.
he smiled bent low, extended his hand
to the first party Of picnickers who had
risen and were pushing past him toward
the door.
Il am delighted to have seen you
am so glad you enjoyed yourself; good
night" he said, with all the exaotness
Of an automaton,
At first everybody stared. Mrs. Law
Ter, red with modification seized his
coat tails and drew him into the seat.
Aunt Judith raised her lorgnette and
eyed him in Amusement The picnickers
giggled outright Daily News.
Ink IL Antiscptic.
The Swiss government having not