The Forrest City times., 1906-01-05
,copyr sht, 1908. b, Joseph B. sorles.)


 tain such appreciative guests as the Easy Gcers, and looked forward to four or five hours of cheerful relaxation. ,''rhat must be Martingale." he said to himself as the doorbel was sudden iy and violently runS "Martingale's always the first and the hungriest. poor fellow"
 Mrs. fhics, the housekeeper. entered the diningroom. bearing small tray. upoD which lay a telegram.
 sAh, Perhaps some one cant come. What a pity!" he murmured. tearing open the envelope.
 What. what-what's this? Good life"
 He read the telegram again.
 Aunt Eliza has eloped with the or saDist. cant stay here, so will come Q see you Arrive go To night.
 Mary"
 Mir. Perry parsin eroaned and paced he floor with uneasy steps "Of all be nights for her to come here," he muttered And haven't seen her for -ears-n not since she was a child. and rather an obnoxious one Don't sup pose I'd know her if met her on the street: but l suppose my having sent aer birthday and Christmas presents regularly has caused her to regard he as sort of friend i'll need. Well, were loth practically alone i'll the world so ar a. near relations go. Huilo, Mar ,.ngale. delighted to see you" Perry stopped in his walk and shook hands sith Lis guest. d gentleman who aokcd like a retired colonel. but who was really traYe!er in low priced more or jess, mechanical toys penny .amping jacks, in fish. squeaking dolls. dancing niggers. and so forth
 "Infernally cold tonight. Parizin = remarked Mr Martingale warming his hands at the glowing fire
 \ minute later appeared quartette ef gentlemen each of whom che traX- Ter in mechanical toys professed him -elf internally glad to see, and shortly afterwards. tn. iast of thr guests having been welcomed, the .,arty sat down to supper
 This is an internally fine duck Par lin" observed Mr Martingale from the DO; of the table. d. Ee say aeely haehei at the plump carcass i'll front of him
 Glad you think sa." said Mr. Par in, enGeasoring to shake off his nerx= ansness. What are you having Be- and 9" he asked quiet-leokins little man with large. shiay. dome-libe head who sat on his lett Will you nave chicken or chuck mean
 Thanks. 1 will have chicken. Hope see you well, Parkin" said The littt man
 "0h. I'm all right" replied Peugs Wlgh an effort at smile. The faet as, gentlemen" he said raising hls voice so that the general conversation ceased, the fact is that l have a-a relative coming here tonight. and hall presently beg you to be SO kind as to excuse me for halI an hour, and net consider my leaving you for that ftme as breach Of manners or hos pitallty. l did not know my my rela- HYe was coming until shortly before supper"
 Don't mention t, Parkin. said half 1he company, and Mir. Martineale add sd: I'm sure wed all be Internally ela3 to meet youc relation. if he
 Fl is a-a-fe female relative. - tammered Perry.
 Just then to his intense relief Mrs. Phigg entered and whisperei that his cousin had arrived. With an apology Q his dumfoundcd guests. the host Jeff he table
 Tt must be an aunt. said AIr. Nragg to those about him.
 Well, remarked MT Marfinsale one doesn't usually get internally red vixen an aunt pays a visit. Hm, nm. Another bit of duck. Robin son,"
 Mir Perry Parkin ops ned the parlor floor and stepped in as he might have lone had his destination been cold bath on frosty morning.
 Are you very angry" The words. softly spoken reached him ere he could touch her hand.
 Angry? How could he be angry with this pretty, graceful creature who smiled at him in a half-shy. half-con- tdent fashion? He hadn't a word to say. but his hand-shake satisfied her.
 T had no one else to go to. you hn0w. 1 couldn't bear to stay with anyone in Beachtown after Aunt Eliza making such stir. And so | came to you. Perry
 He started. IL was so long since a woman had called him by his first name. '1ou--you did right. Mary" he said, awkwardly.
 Well. 1 thought you would be able Jo tell me of nice boarding house, or something of the kind. where could say till I made up my mind about the future. But your houselleeper-d 9ld thing,-seemed to expect me to stay here tonight"
 Of course. Mary. you must stay here.
 It's awfnlly kind of you Perry. AuJ Eliza has been tall:ing about you