The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-14

furnish up the house any way he saw
fit and never say word no matter how
It set her teeth on edge.
1t was easy enough to decide that
somebody ought to speak TO Mr.. Wyn-
toun. but when 1t came to locating the
somebody she didn't seem to be there.
Finally we drew lots. and it fell to me.
always was unlucky.
1t seemed a terrible cheeky thing 10
do--to go up to a man and tell him In
cold blood what sort OF furniture he
ought to put In his new house. FRANKLY,
/ didn't like the undertaking. But one
ought to be willing to suffer little for
the sake of art and ones best friend.
Finally l screwed my courage to the
sticking point" Or as near the sticking
point as I could get it. put on my best
clothes for the sake of the moral sup
port they gave me--and Went down to
Mr.. Wyntoun's office.
/ sent in my name. and when the boy
brought back word that Mr.. Wyntoun
would see me. / wanted to run. I'd had
sneaking hope all along that he'd send
| out word that he was too busy" or
something. My knees knocked together,
with fright, suppose, but remembered
art and Alberta, and went In and dropped
into the chair he pushed forward for me.
l was horribly embarrassed and I'M
comfortable. but he was as nice as pos
sible.
"Of.course," he said, when had finally
managed to make myself clear, I've no
wish but to make Alberta happy, and IL
she wants sage-green carpets, and-er-
other things, she can have them.
That was dear of him. l no longer
wondered that Alberta wanted to marry
him, even though he did laugh at art
and wear horrible neckties. And when
he thanked Intellectually thanked me for
coming there for meddling In what GER
tainly was no affair OF mine. could
almost have married him myself.
Then he suggested something that fairly
took nv breath away II haven't" he
said. "the faintest idea how to set about
getting the things you mention. Per-
haps you could manage 1t for me?'
"Oh!" I said.
perhaps" he went on, you could
furnish the house while we are away,
and have 1t ready as surprise for
Alberta when we get back?
1t was q great responsibility, of course.
Still thought I could do 1t. The other
girls would help me, and we could always
fall back upon Mr.. Farquhar for advice.
We wrote to him, and he selected most
OF the things and sent them to us.
When we had finished Alberta's home
was a perfect Dream. There never had
been anything like 1t before in Penning-
ton, and don't believe there ever Will
be again | knew Alberta would be just
wild with joy when she saw it.. The
night before the day she was expected
home hardly slept wink for thinking
of her surprise and delight
The next morning / did perfectly
dreadful thing did so want to SEQ
her In the moment when she first set
! foot in her new home that I went 10
the house a little before train time and
established myself in place where i
could see and hear, but not be seen-un-
less wished
| It was Just as / had expected. When
Alberta came into her lovely new high
art home She was positively speechless
| Then she turned to Mr. Wyntoun and
asked, with little catch in her voice.
| who did it?'
why, Miss Burton" he said. And
your bridesmaids helped, Mr.. Farquhar
also. i believe. It's all right, isn't it?"
9-e-s' Alberta said, slowly Its
very artistic" she added.
Then she flung out her arms in funny
passionate little gesture, and caught her
husband by the shoulders.
My dear" she cried, ar we begin by
/
| py together, never in this world. Tell ma
tho honest truth, now. DO you like all
| ths?"
You know, my dear Mr.. Wyntoun
said. II always like whatever you do,
Now, surely, an answer like that ought
TO have satisfied any reasonable girl
But 1T didn't suit Alberta.
| That's not answering my question,
sho said. Honest and true, now, do you
like all ths?'
felt sorry for poor Mr.. Wyntoun. L'xe
our illustrlous first president. he evil
IDENTIFY Couldn't tell u lie. he got red
and stood first on one foot, then on the
other. and opened his mouth ana shut
1t again without saying q word ,,.,
But Alberta was memorable. 3asll'
she said, severely.
And Basil, being cornered, spoke his
mind. II think It's pretty dreadfu no
said, Then he looked az though no eAT
pected Alberta to STAY him ON the spot,
But Alberta did nothing OF the sor..
She fell upon him and kissed him. on,
she cried, II was SO afraid you wers
going TO fall me, Don't you knew tina.
one of the things I love you for is your
llktn. chromos andsred carpets ana loYs.
ly easy chairs, For 4 like them too; Only
!, haven't had the moral conra y w w
y 9s' ~ 4rNp ss-i,w h1a th.r l's'iif R '1