Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-03


n floor of the "Skyborough Flats" across the
hall from each other.
lust two days later, strangers, Mrs. Bifkins met
Mrs. Bnks in the elevator and from that moment you
might say, things were
Then ensred one of those frghtfu friendships known
only to 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 "Lobeia," and "Arimnta and
were together morning and night-it intensel
They of similar tastes, intellectually too. They
joined several clubs whose ends we're more or less con
summaey utter and soul searching researches into the
realms of gush; and when "Arminta Hal ames Blif-
kins" read paper the Psychic Aspects of Henry
the Wits Connubial Infeicities," it "Lobelia
Blnks" who led the applause; it was Lobela who
loudest in declaring it to be lust too perfectly sweet
for anything ?'-it was Lobeia Bnks who frowned at
some envous lady members whom she overheard won
dering from what encyclopedia the creature got that
stuf'-such was her devotion.
AS a result of this of course, Blifkns and BlinkS
themselves dragged in
They were totally unlike. Blifkns was ponderous,
fataced, abby of such sluggish mind, that by the
Gime he got ready to evolve remark the time for max
ing it past; so he usually doomed to silence
aad consequently, good listener, and accumulated
reputation for wisdom
Blnks short, thin, and takative little
man, with hobby for invention and mechanics
But such beatihc state of things as this could not
last-it never does.
One evening while seated around the tea table at the
Blinkses that individual announced that he had pur
chased an automobie-an announcement which was des-
tined to end this beautiful combination shall
How lovely! chorused the ladies in rapture.
"Yes| continued Blinks proudly, "and what's more.
next Monday is wedding anniversary and propose
take it for holiday togeher-embark in the bile
and go off somewhere in the deep woods, far from the
radding crowd and have picnic"
"Oh don't like picncs," cried Lobe1ia "one cannot
eat comfy squated the grass-horrid bugs get into
the butter and"
Mr. Blinks chuckled "I don't mean that ordinary
kind of picnic, my dear propose shall all
sit at table under the trees in STYLE but there you
girls provide the goodies and I'll to the table-you
just leave that to me-, and Blnks winked Bliffns
and chuckled some more.
Leave that to me- too, said Mr.. Blinks gaily, Il
happen to know OF hne place about twenty miles from
here, and not railway station within miles of it
it's secluded too; see must get clear away from
the world"
"Ohl hat1l be heavenly" exclaimed Ariminta
"Er-r-r-r!" said Mr.. Bifkins, which seemed to be all
the comment he was able to make the subject. So
the picnic settled thing.
Everybody was puzzled on Monday, Just as they
about to start when Binks produced bundle of boards
and package that contained folding chairs which he
proceeded to fasten under the auto.
what all those boards for? inquired Lobeia as
Blnks fused around like fly over a jar of jam.
That's your table"
where's the legs?"
ooh you'll see, dear" replied Bnks mysteriously as
he annexed a shovel with cord to his machine, and
fussy stored away the baskets of good things
At last they off, the auto deeply laden and
were merrly bowling along the country road in the
shine where Blnks evoked unending applause by his
dashng chaufeurship awed the ladies into silence
afrghted them into excamations of terror by increas
ing his speed causing them to utter little gasps of alarm
when he frightened horses, Chickens and dogs in
true "red devil' fashion.
At last when they about eighteen miles from the
city-wel into the hush of the STILL deep country about
four miles from Yapville village, smooth field ap-
peared ascending slightly from the road to a point
about an eighth of mile away where there beau-
tiful grove sunt knoll.
"Ahr' exclaimed Blnks, pointing to the trees that
crowned it, there's place; and so saying he turned
the automobile off the road into the field and mounted
towards it.
Here they stopped The auto denuded of
its contents and then Bns took off 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 narrow trenches parallel with
each other under tire shade of great tree
Next having completed them to the depth of foot,
he proceeded to back the auto into them, Then he
did his bundle of boards and had them bound to-
geher in a platform This he deftly placed on top of
the auto fastened it on firmly with clamps and
having placed his chairs around o there stood table
as firm as any that graced Sherry's or Delmon-
ico's lit was triumph
Amid exclamations of admiration Blinks bathed in
perspiration, retired in glory to mossy bank and
proudly famed himself.
To be sure he had wilted his collar smudged his
Wv