Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-09-20

meant great things. If the dinner were
delayed again there was danger that
the whole thing might fall through.
The only way to approach Prescott
was through Il dinner, and home din
ner at that The PrescOttS had lived
in hotels all their lives because they
were so seldom long In one place.
Their permanent quarters in the
fashionable hotel they regarded as
home, but they We're more often i'll
London or Paris, or else up the Nile or
some other queer place, and it was
saying that one argument after home
dinner was worth hundred in an
office where Sydney Prescott was con
cerned.
1t seemed a simple matter to Jack to
borrow a waiter from the restaurant
where he lunched to take the place of
the butler who had left the day be
fore, but the head waiter shook his
head There were three big banquets
that night Every waiter IN town had
been engaged weeks before.
Yet for all of that a quiet faced Eng
lishman presented himself at the Mar
tines that afternoon and went to work
with a quiet skill that made Mrs. Mar
tine almost want to hug him.
To Beth he seemed like a godsend.
All day long she had been struggling
with the preparations for the dinner
with such awkward help as a green
servant could give. When Peters came
into the kitchen and quietly took pos
session, IL seemed rs if the sun had
suddenly burst from behind the clouds.
The servant was set to work to
clean the silver, and he took charge of
everything, directing Beth with a quiet
respectfulness that inspired conf
dence
Long before the guests arrived things
We're all ready and Peters had retired
10 his room to get ready for the even
ing Beth sat out on the back stoop 10
cool her heated face and breathe
sigh of relief that things seemed 10
promise SO well
Della ran out for moment just be-
fore train time to show herself and be
admired and lightly kissed the red lips.
Isn't Peters a gemf" she eXulted.
II never saw a man take hold so. If
II had been his own dinner he could
not have been more Interested"
He's a dear" laughed Beth. Il
think we VIII have to get him to stay
somehow, even though he said he was
only here for the day. almost think
I'll marry him O. keep hIm in the fam.
i.y."
There was a discreet cough. and the
two women started apart. Peters had
cone downstairs again and was stand.
Ing by the dresser With last kiss
Della ran off to welcome her guests.
and presently Jack came into the
Kitchen 10 see that all was well
Don't let things fail down" was his
parting injunction to Beth. IF this
Heal goes through YOU shall have that
trip to Europe unless some one else
takes YOU there first"
''Va,,'I L.tt.- ....t v,al,. g.. ,,-rit.
check if YOU are thinking of Harvey
She said spiritedly.' Il wrote him yes
tcr,lay that / never wanted to see him
again"
Hes an awfully good chap" urged
Jack, who seemed TO find food for
much laughter In her speech. IN bet
you change your mind 1rore long"
Never" she called afNT him as he
turned back TO his guests, and it was
with a high head that she entered the
Kitchen. Even now She was not alto
had sent that letter, but Harvey was
So irritating But this was no time 10
worry about Harvey, ana she turned to
her work
''Things look snleudid- Peters" she