Evening journal., 1907-03-04

=" HE thing commenced when by coincidence
the Bhfkins and the Binkses moved the
same day into apartments on the seventh
n hoon of the Skyborough Flats across the
hall from each other
lust two days later, strangers, Mrs BhiSns met
Mrs Binks in the elevator and from that moment you
might say, things were on.
hen ensucd one OF those irightu friendships known
only the female
In an incredibly short time they each knew about the
others wardrobe and family affairs, and each of them
fondy believed she knew The others dearest secrets;
they called each other lobelia. and "Ariminta and
together morning noon and nightit was intensci
They were OF similar tastes intellectually, too They
Joined several clubs whose ends were more or less con
summaely aud soul searching researches into the
realms of gush; and when "Arimnta Hajames Blf-
the V1lrs Connshial lnfclicities' it was "Lobela
Rnks' who Ted the applause IL Lobeia WHO
oudest in declaring it be "iust too perfectly sweet
for anything tit was lobolia Blinks who frowned at
envous lady members whom she overheard won
derng FROM what encyclopedia the creature got that
stuff -such was her deyouon
AS result of this of course, BHildns and Blinks
themselves dragged in
They were totally unlike. Bliildns was ponderous,
fat-faccd habby of such sluggish mind, that by the
time hc got ready TO evolve remark the time for maxi
ing il past; so he usually doomed 70 silence
and was, consequently good listener, and accumulated
a reputation for wisdom
Binls was a short ihu nervous and tallative little
man. with hobby iof nFcnti2a ana fnecnahes. .0
But such boatho state OF things as Tins could moi
last-it never does
One evening while seated around the tea-table at tire
Blnkses that individual announced that he had pur-
chased an automobc--au announcement which dcs
tncd,o end this beautiful combination, shall
"How lovehr tlorused the ladies in rapture
"YesW continued Blnks proudly, and what's more
next Monday is wedding anniversary, and propose
take il for a holiday together--embarS in the bile
and of somewhere in the deep woods, far from the
madding crowd and have picnic"
"Oh I don't like picnics, cried Lobelia zone cannot
eat comfy squated on the grass-horrid bugs get into
Mr. Bfnks chucklcd Il don't mean that ordinary
common kind of picnic my dear propose we shall all
st at table under the in style but there now you
girls provide the goodies and l' the tableyou
just leave that TO me- and Blinks winked at Blkins
and chucklcd some
"Where shall we gof' someone inquired
Leave that 70 me, too" said Mr.. Blnks, gaiy, Il
happen 70 know Of fne place about twenty miles from
here, and not railway station within ten miles of it,
its secluded too you see we must get clear away from
the world"
"Ohl thatil be heavenly" exclaimed Arminta
kr-r-r-r! said Mr.. Bifkins which seemed TO be all
the comment he was able make the subject So
the picnic was a settled thing.
Everybody puzzled on Monday, just as they were
about start when Binks produced bundle of boards
and package that contained folding chairs which he
proceeded to fasten under the new auto
'Nhat all those boards for?' inquired Lobelia
Blinks fused around like fly over jar OF JAM
That's your table,
where's the lcgsP
"Oh you'll see. dear" replied Bnks mysteriously as
he annexed shovel with a cord his machine, and
fussy stored away the generous baskets OF good things
At last they were off the deeply laden, and soon
merly bowling along the country road IN the sun
shine, where Binks evoked unendng applause by his
dashing chaueurshp awed the ladies into silence or
nrighted them into cxcamations of terror by increas-
ing his speed causing them to utter little gasps Of alarm
when he frightened horses chickens cows and dogs in
true "red devil fashion.
At last when they we're about eighteen miles from the
cir-wel into the hush Of the still, deep country-abou
four miles from Yapvlle village, a smooth field ap-
-peafed ascending slightly from the road to point
about an eighth OF mile away where there was beau
tiful grove sunlit knoll
"Ahl" exclaimed Blinks pointing to the trees that
crowned it, there's place and saying, he turned
the automobile off the road into the field and mounted
towards IT,
Here they stopped The auto was soon denuded of
It's contents and then Blnks took of his coat and began
some very mysterious operations; his genius being
made manifest
He first released his shovel, and surrounded by his
companions. whose curiosity he refused to crafty. he
began to dig two long trenches parallel will
each other under Fe shade of a great tree.
Next having completed them TO the depth of a foot
he proceeded to back the into them. Then he un
did his bundle of boards. and soon had them bound TO
gcthor in platform. This he deity placed on top O.
the auto. fastened II firmly with CLAMPS anS
having placed his chairs around. 10 there stood tab
as firm as any that graced Sherry's or Delmon
icos SIT triumph
Amid ordinations of admiration BlinSs bathed il
perspiration, retired in glory to mossy bank an'
proudly famed himself
To be sure he had wilted his collar smudged hi