Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1904-06-24
GERALD.s MOTHER.

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"You see" explained the young
woman IN the fashionable brown tur-
ban rolled high on one Side IT makes
the situation so much more difficult
because Gerald and / are not actually
that Is, nothing has been really
said still, he and knpw--"
"Oh, dear me, yesw broke In her
friend who wore picture hat with
dropping plumes. u understand just
what you mean-you aren't engaged
yet, but you're going to be. Isn't 1t ex-
CitingY'
The young woman in the brown
turnan cast down her eyes and BLUSH
ed beautifully well. anyhow, / nat
urally wanted to be extra nice TO his
mother. I wanted her to like me and
knew ia have 20 make a fight for
It. A mans mother always is in
arms against whatever girl he picks
Out-she always knows some other
girl who would have filled the bill 30
much better-and determined to
convince Gerald's mother when 1 got
acquainted with her that 1 was the
one exception to the rule. was 20
ing to overwhelm her on sight with
such combination Of beauty, sweet
ness and charm that she'd love me
forever more" She paused.
'Well, did your asked the girl in
the picture hat
Her friend sighed
Really, I'm afraid not" she went
on, I was helping Mrs. Ferman the
night she gave her big card party.
Three Of us girls we're on the pro
gramme to flutter about the tables and
see that things were all right at sup
per time Fancy my excitement when
/ found Gerald's mother was among
the guestsl knew my time had come
to conquer / thought 1t would be so
lovely to fascinate her before she
found out who l was-lt would make
/ things easier Luckily I noticed that
her coffee cup was empty.
81 grabbed up the tall silver coffee
pot and foated up to her table. ]
was so nervous that my cheeks we're
red and my hand shook I leaned
over her shoulder In what am sure
was a graceful attitude.
May l not give you some more
coffeeY l asked in my most cul
tured accents 1t was a thrilling mo
ment-I felt that some subtle in
stinot told her that her life and mfns
were to be closely entwlned, for she
gave a positive jump.
when she spoke / had the SHOCK
Ct my existence.
"T think not, she said In the
smooth and icy tones you use WheI
you'd like to murder any one; L thinl
not-yOu've already bestowed upOI
me a great deal more coffee than
have any use for
"And l had You see, dear, as
leaned over the coffee pot in M
right hand had tilted and sent ,
stream Of hot coffee down the bacl
Of Geralds mothers neckF
"GoodnessF'
Wasn't it awful? / simply gasped
swallowed hard and fed and hid Il
dark corners till she left.
you understand the worst Of it 1
that now I'm scared TO death to thinl
Of meeting her and being introduced
OF course, Gerald is crazy for her b
know me and he can't understand m,
sudden timidity about it. lie says In
foolish, for he has told her how mic
am, and of course she'll like me
That's just like a man-and can
explain 10 him, especially since h
happened to mention that his mothe
was so indignant because some stupi
young woman ruined her gown at tn
Fermans by pouring coffee all owe
it. There is nothing to do but kee
out of her sight and induce Gerald I
elope. Why I'd rather face q den Q
tigers"
The girl in the picture hat grabbe
her friends arm. Her face fame
with dramatic enthusiasm. what
situationr' she murmured.
what do you meanp
Don't move" said the girl in th
picture hat in the pleasant tone a W,
man uses when she sees trlbulatiO
descending upon her dearest frien'
Here comes Gerald to speak to us
and his mother is with himw
The girl in the brown turban 81
Btonily awaiting her Chicae
News.