Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-23

first time boy has ever come formal
ly to see Elise She asked him to her
class dance and his sister phoned to-
day that he was going I'd do the proper
thing and call tonight Why, I'm as
nervous as | can be, mother! After
Roy gets here I'm going upstairs so
that Elise won't feel embarrassed, If
Lon we're here he'd embarrass the
children to death. That meeting down
town was providential."
When the bell rang Mrs. Clurger and
her mother rose preGpitately and the
former welcomed the flushed and pain
fully dressed-up boy of 16 who was
ushered in. At Elises naughty en-
trance, slightly mawed by her short
skirts and a stumble over the rug, her
mother hastily and mirthfully with
drew, gasping into her own mothers
ear broken remarks about how funny
it was.
1T brings back memories of my
own" said the elder woman, with
cheerful malice.
llC II NC GOllC ny IlllN " NAONhJ ihUA
INJURED Mrs. Clurger, as she proceeded
to write some letters.
At a quarter past nine she looked
up with a start.
Mercy" she said! what can they
find to talk about? Lon1l be home any
time now-and he loves so to tease!
l wouldn't hurt Roy's feelings for the
world l think-yes, I'll drop my
shoes over their heads!"
Two heavy thumps resulted in no
cessation of the chatter in the library
below Mrs, Cluger began walking
up and down.
81 never thought to tell Elise that he
mustn't stay late" she murmured. Il
thought she'd know that"
you always said under like circum-
stances" put in her mother, who was
enjoying herself very much, that you
home and that you were helpless in
the situation. | fancy that Elise is
helpless also"
IF it wasn't for Lon" worried Mrs,
Clurger, discreetly passing by the rem
inscences of her early life. 81 can I'M
derstand that Elise doesn't know what
to do or how to get rid of Roy or that
Roy doesn't know how to make his
escape-but you know how man is!
Why, Lon would just roar with laugh
ter if he came in at ten and found his
14-year-old daughter sitting up en-
pertaining a caller!"
She went out on the stair landing.
Roy" she called, sweetly, when you
go home-when you go home, / say,
would you mind telling your sister
that | wish she'd call me up on the
phone tomorrow, as | want to speak
to herr"
mo, ma'am, not at all, responded
Roy with nervous heartiness.
The conversation in the library was
resumed.
Il had no idea that Elise had enough
things to talk about to fill up Is min
utes," said Mrs. Clurger, plaintively.
Il have another idea Gracious!
Was that Lon on the front porch"
She flew to her desk telephone and,
calling up the telephone exchange,
asked the operator to ring the bell Of
the downstairs telephone. 1t was al
ways Elise's task to answer that bell.
For five minutes the downstairs tele-
phone bell sized and rang spasmodic-
ally, but to deaf ears. In the library
Elise was playing the perfect lady to
whom telephones were things to be at
tended to by housemaids or small chill
dren
Mrs. Clurger was nearly in tears.
What shall do, mother" she walled.
Excuse me for laughing. said her
mother. II have done what you are
doing so many times in my life.
never really saw justice overtake a
sinner before. really cant sym
pathize with you as / should"
It was 20 minutes Of IL when EHse's
caller departed. When she came up
stairs her mother grabbed her
Il hear your fathers latchkey," abe
almost Kissed. Hurry into your room
and don't dare make light to 90 to
bed by! II he knew"
Elise few from her mothers hands
IKE the wind. Mrs. Clurger drew her
first long breath Of relief as her hus.
band came upstairs at leisurely pace
1t was over the telephone next day
that Mrs. Clurger got the rest Of the
story,
II asked Roy" gurgIed Roy's sister
'what under creation he could scraps
-. Az -, =. -.