Evening journal., 1907-03-04

NOOf OF the SlybOrough rats, across the
hall from each other
Just two days later, strangers Mrs Blifkins met
Mrs Bliuks In the elevator and from that moment, you
might say, things
Then ensued one of those frighuul friendships known
only to the female sex
In an incredibly short time they each knew about the
others wardrobe and family affairs and each of them
fondly believed She knew the others dearest secrets
they called each other "I.obelia and "Arimnta and
were together morning noon and night-it was intense
They were OF similar tastes intellectually too. hey
joined several clubs whose ends more or less, con-
summatey utter and soul searching researches into the
realms OF gush; and when "Arimnta Halames/ Bif
kins' read a paper on the Psychic Aspects of Henry
the WINS Connubial iuielicues,' It "Lohelia
Binks' who led the applause il was Lobclia who was
for anything 'it Lobcia Bhnks who frowned at
envous lady members whom she overheard won
dering from what encyclopedia the creature got that
stuff such was her devotion.
AS a result OF this OF courss, BAikins and Blnks
themselves were dragged in.
They totally unlike Bliikins was a ponderous,
iatfaccd habby % such sluggish mind that by the
time he got ready evolve remark the time for max
ing Il was past 50 he was usually doomed 20 silence
a reputation for wisdom
Binks was short thin. nervous and takatye little
man, with hobby for invention and mechanics
But such hcarhc state of things as this could not
last-it never does
One evening while seated around the tea-table Inc
Blnkscs that individual announced that he had pur-
chased an automobe-an announcement which des-
tined 20 end this beautiful combination we shall
How loyelyf chouiscd the ladies' ia rapture.
next Monday IS wedding anniversary, and propose
take It for q holiday togethcr-embark IN the bile
and 50 of somewhere in the deep woods far from the
madding crowd and have picnic
"Oh I don't like picnicsn cried Lobea. "one cannot
eat comfy squaited on The grass-horrd bugs get into
Mr.. Bnks chucsled II don't mean that ordinary
common kind Of picnic my dear propose shall all
sit at table under the trees in STYLE but there now YOU
girls provide the goodies and I'M 20 the tabe-you
just leave that to me-, and Bliuks wnked at Blifkns
and chuckled more,
Where shall We go z" someone inquired
Leave that 10 me, too said Mr.. Blinks, gaiy, Il
happen know of fine place about twenty miles from
here, and not railway station within ten miles Of it,
secluded too you see we must get clear away from
the world"
~Ohl thatll be heavenly" exclaimed Arminta
"Er-r-r-r" said Mr.. Blfkins 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 TO start when Blink produced bundle of boards
and package that contained folding chairs which he
proceeded to fasten under the new auto.
"What are all those boards for p inquired Iobeia
Blinks fused around like a iy over jar Of jam.
That's your table"
where's the legs,'
"Oh you'll see dear" replied Blinks mysteriously as
he annexed shovel with cord TO his machine, and
fussy stored away the generous baskets of good things
At last they were off, the auto deeply laden, and soon
merry bowling along the country road in the
shine where Blinks evoked unendng applause by his
dashng chauffeurshp awed the ladies into silence,
ahghted them into ordinations Of terror by increas
ing ms speed causing them to utter little gasps OF alarm
when he frightened horses, chickens cows and dogs in
true red devil fashion
Al last when they about eighteen miles from the
rtywe into the hush of the still, deep country-about
Hour miles from Yapville village, smooth field ap-
peared ascending slightly from the road 70 a point
about an eighth of mile away, where there beau
tiful grove a sunlit knoll
"Arl" 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 dcnuded Of
its contents and then Bnks took off his coat and began
some very mysterious operations; his genius being
made manifest
He first released his shovel. and surrounded by h
companions, whose curiosity he refused crafty, h,
began 10 dig two long trenches parallel witt
each other, under the shade of a great tree
Next having completed them 10 the depth OF a foot
lie proceeded 10 hack the auto into them Then he un
did his bundle OF boards and had them bound TO
gether in platform. This he deftly placed on top o
the auto fastened it firmly with some clamps, AM
having placed ms chairs around 10 there stood tab
as firm any that graced Sherry's or Delmon
ico's lit triumph
Amid exclamations of admiration Blinks bathed i
perspratou. retired in glory 10 a messy bank ant
proudly famed himself
To be he had wiIted his collar, smudged hi