The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1907-02-26

| luLO lue k1tcueu anu QuleIly LOOK pos
session, it seemed as 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 quiet
respectfulness that inspired conf
dence.
Long before the guests arrived things
were all ready and Peters had retired
to his room to get ready for the even
| ing. Beth sat out on the back stoop to
cool her heated face and breathe a
| sigh OF relief that things seemed to
promise so we'll
| 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 gemY she exulted.
II never saw a man take hold so. If
it had been his own dinner he could
not have been more Interested"
| "He's DEAR" laughed Beth. II
think we will have to get him to stay
| somehow, even though he said he was
only here for the day. almost think
| I'd marry him to keep him in the fam
ily"
There was discreet cough, and the
two women started apart. Peters had
come downstairs again and was stand
ing by the dresser. With a last kiss
Della ran off to welcome her guests,
! and presently Jack came into the
kitchen to see that all was we'll.
| "Don't let things fall down." was his
parting injunction to Beth. eff this
deal goes through you shall have that
trip to Europe-unless some one else
takes you there frst.''
"Youd better get ready to write a
check if you are thinking Of Harvey"
she said spiritedly. 81 wrote him yes
terday that 1 never wanted to see him
again.
Hes an awfully good chap" urged
Jack, who seemed to find food for
much laughter in her speech. "I'll bet
you change your mind before long"
'Neyer!' she called after him as he
turned back to his guests, and it was
with high head that she entered the
kitchen. Even now she was not alto
gether sure that she was glad that she
had sent that letter, but Harvey was
so irritating. But this was no time to
worry about Harvey, and she turned to
| her work.
'Things look splendid, Peters," she
smiled as she entered the dining room
and saw how perfectly the table was
appointed. II think we shall have to
| to o,Sto
II think it could be done, ma'am," "
was the respectful reply, "but my
price is pretty high, ma a'am"
"We paid Hawkins sixty" she said.
"Have you been getting more than
that?''
"No, ma'am, but 1 should want more
here"
"Possibly my brother might make it
seventy-fve,' she suggested. eff you
think that will do I will speak to him
before you go.''
"It's not money Pm looking for" be
explained. ''Its something else. You
see, I'm single man, ma'am."
81 don't see what that has to do
with it, she said coldly, "unless you
have fallen in love with Maggie. I be-
lieve she is engaged to a policeman
in town"
"lt was yourself, ma'am," was the
even response. Il heard you say as
how you'd marry me to keep me here
Beth went white with anger, and for
a moment she. wished impotently that
she was a man that she might strike
this fellow. She turned as if to call
Jack, then she thought Of the dinner
and all that depended upon it and with
an effort collected herself.
"You forget yourself, Peters," she
said coldly. "You had better announce
dinner"
Peters never stirred. "Im not going
to do anything unless you promise to
marry me-" he said doggedly. "You
| know what this dinner means to your
brother. Now you may take your
choice" Il
She looked at the man curiOusly. He
was not intoxicated, nor did he seem to
be crazy, yet he stood there coolly max
ing proposal Of marriage to her.
LET me hear no more of this" she
said severely. either announce din
ner or get out of here"
."Ill do neither" he said determined
ly, unless you say Yes Won't you,
dear?' he added, with changed voice.
Beth gave little shrek. "Harveyv
she gasped. RI.
''Precisely," he agreed. "Jack told
me his trouble, and I told him that I
| would come out. Prescott knows me.
SO 1 had to disguise myself, and I
thought I'd pay you back for that letter
too"
"Are you going to spoil it all nowY
she pleaded.
''Not if you say Yes"
Announce dinner, please"
ION those terms?"
'You brute!" said Beth, but some
how it did not sound as if she meant
it., and Harvey kissed her before he
went to summon the guests.
An Old Meat Bill.
The state historian of New York In
compiling some records brought to light
some amendments to laws confirmed at
"ye General Court of assizes held ir
New Yorke, beginning on ye 9Th & end