The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-11-01

Frank Allister, perhaps because as
novelist he was always eager for de-
tail, at once entered into conversa-
ton with May Wilson.
He thought 1t must he very painful
for girl to have to go into house
of mourning and begin to measure the
ladies of the family for black, and he
was anxious to know if female vanity
still asserted itself in the sorrowful
circumstances. Was the freshly-be-
reaved widow particular about the fit
and cut OF her dress? Had Miss Will
son any experience?
May explained that she did not trav-
ell, but she know. of course. from the
assistants who did that they had very
strange experiences.
Frank had settled himself by Mays
side and they we're conversing on the
subject in which the young novelist
had shown SO much interest, when
the sound of cab pulling up at the
door was heard.
That's Mrs. Petherick," remarked
Tuna. I'm so glad. for the mullins
oughtn't to be kept another minute"
She dashed upstairs to the front
door, and few seconds later Mrs.
Peyton Petherick entered and beamed
on everybody. Mrs. Cheney took her
place at the table. and the company
passed the cups while TUNA handed
round the hot cakes.
1t was a merry little tea party
Mrs. Cheney's tea parties always were
and everybody talked, including
"Tunla, who was accustomed to Join
in the conversation. In the tiny room
it would have been useless for her to
pretend she wasn't listening.
Old Mr.. Tossiter was fond of remi-
niscences. He asked Miss Allister
how she was getting on with her
music, and then gave half a dozen
anecdotes Of musical celebrities who
had been stars in Ills time, but of
whom his listeners had never heard.
Mrs. Peyton Petherick told Mrs.
Cheney of some wonderful bargains
she had bought at the West end
Diapers sales; and that encouraged
'Tunia-who was thinking of buying
new dress for her day out, as her
policeman was off duty and was going
to take her to the Crystal Palace-to
ask how skirts were being cut at the
West end now.
Miss Allister, hearing Mr.. Tossiter
pronounce the name of a great pianist
of whom she. had heard, gave him
ner attention at once, and led the old
gentleman on to give her his personal
reminiscence of the celebrity.
And Frank Allister talked quietly
10 May Wilson.
Mrs. Cheney, looking round like a
GOOD hostess at the cups, noticed the
earnest expression of Mr.. Allister's
face as he bent low that his words
might reach his neighbours ears
through the buzz, and she smiled.
She had guessed what no one else
had-that Frank Allister was in love
with May Wilson, and she was glad.
for the little woman adored a TO-
nance. and that there should be one
beneath her own roof pleased her
more than anything.
1t seemed to her quite natural that
her drawing room, being young and
single, should fall in love with her par
lor, who was young and pretty. and
single, too.
And she was pleased with herself for
being the first to see it. For she had
watched keenly, and she was conyinc-
ed that the pale-faced, pretty young
woman with the pathetic eyes, as
Frank Allister called them, had not yet
discovered the secret of the good look
ing young fellow by her side.
When tea was over and full Justice
had been done to the cakes, Tuna
taking hers into the kitchen to eat
while they were hot and giving her
opinion of them when she came back.
the company by Miss Allister's invita-
ton adjourned to the drawing room,
where she played the piano and old
Mr.. Tossiter gave limitations of popu.
lar actors he had seen Gin his time. !"
Some of them had been dead before
the young people present were born.
but that made no difference to their
verdict that the limitations were excel
lent.
Mrs. Cheney, after much pressure,
consented to sing, but she declined an
accompaniment - the music ALWAYS
made her forget the words. She sang
Shells of the Ocean," a little out of
tune. and forgot the last verse, but ev-
erybody thought it sweet, and said
there were no songs like the old songs.
The company dropped into general
conversation, and presently Mrs. Pey-
ton Petherick said she must be going,
as she had promised her husband to be
home carlyle was so unhappy alone.
That broke up the party. Everybody,
as was the rule on such festive occa.
sions, retired to his or her own apart
ment, and Mrs. Cheney went down.
stairs to help TUNA in looking after
the suppers.
Az Mrs. Cheney and May Wilson
went out Of the drawing room togther
May said that she was going out be.
fore the shops closed, as she wanted
to get something at the stationer's.
Frank Allister was holding the door