The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-05

some new feature was added as an on
set until 1t seemed that nothing short
Of the engagement OF a circus could
definitely settle the honors.
1t was In this frame OF mind that
Mrs. Paulding approached her son
You know that automobile you
wanted" she began at the breakfast
table. "Tu get Il for you II you can de-
wise some feature that Mrs. Bryan can
not possibly get for her party. That
woman has copied every idea l have
originated so far"
DO you give me carte blancheY' he
demanded
Spend as much as you like" she
murmured.
And you won't ask what 1t is until
l spring TT" be stipulated.
Il promise" she said. Il may rely
upon you. Fred r
For the sensation of the season. he
assured. take heart Of grace. mother
mine. am planning to shake Glen
dale to its very foundations"
Much relieved, Mrs. Paulding hurried
to confde TO her dearest friends that
she would have a sensation that could
not be equaled. This in due course was
communicated TO Mrs. Bryan. who
worried much: but, since Mrs. Pauld-
Ing did not herself know the nature Of
the surprise. she could not betray
Fred's plans.
The day of the double header" as
Paulding irreverently referred to it,
dawned bright and beautiful, and by ?
o'clock the festivities were under way.
There were circus performances on
both lawns, and honors seemed fairly
even. Mrs. Paulding went about with
a smile of confidence upon her face
and with skillful references to her sur
prise kept curiosity up to pitch. The
afternoon passed without the appear
ance Of the surprise, and the dusk had
gathered before Fred disappeared. and
word was passed that he had gone tc
engineer the great event. An hour lat
er the Paulding butler sought his mis-
tress, and she vanished into the house
She found Fred In the library. anC
with him was Nancy Bryan.
II want to introduce you to the sen
sation," said Fred. with a laugh, as hs
led the girl forward. Nancy aud
were married half an hour ago"
And this is your surprise?" she
gasped.
Gould you have a greater one?' h,
asked. Every one knows of the ri
valry between you and Mrs. Bryan. L
you turn your party into a wedding re
ceptlon you'll beat Mrs. Bryan to 1
standstill. You've been Dragging abou
your surprise. You pretend you knew
it was coming all along, and the laugl
is on Mrs. Bryan"
! For a moment Mrs. Paulding hest
tated. In some ways 1t was a bite
pill to swallow; but, as Fred hat
shown her, it was necessary to max
the best Of the situation She steppet
forward and took the bright faced CIR
In her arms.
"My dear" she said sincerely, 81 an
very glad to welcome my sons wife Il
her new home Let us go out on thu
lawn. l will introduce you to m.
friends"
She turned toward the door, bu
paused as down the street there cam
the sound of a marching band
What is that" she asked-"more O
the surprisep'
Paulding nodded his head. IT'S tn
people from the Bryans coming to cor
graduate the brideW he exclaimed
"Mr. Bryan was with US, but wen
home to tell his wife and invite tn
crowd over here. You have swallowe
up Mrs, Bryan's party with your cou1
ter attractions. guess I've kept m
promise, haven't I?''
Mrs. Paulding patted the curly heat
You have kept your promise" sh
agreed You have shaken US all t
our very foundations" Then, putin
on her best smile, she led the way I
the piazza to meet Mrs. Bryan at th
head of her guests.
Genesis of the HaiIstone.
IF ft were not for the countless fri