The Red Cloud chief., 1908-03-13

bDhSc party Ut lDe lltS IUeu utter
a pause, "Who are lnvitcdT'
His nephew leaned against the man.
telpioce and stuffed his hands into his
pockets as he enumerated the guests,
the uncle keeping up a running aud
caustic comment:
"Engaged-going to be-introduced
for matrimonial purposcs-engaged-
the same" The enumeration ceased.
Eyes, ! see myself helping to chap
eron your house party. stroll into
the reception room and stumble over
an engaged couple. l sneak into the
library and am frowned out again by
u newly introduced couple. l bang in
TO the music room and ovcrhear a pro-
posal. No, thank you, Roy: I shall
spend Christmas in peace and my w
ROOM
Roy picked up his hat and moved to-
ward the door. Modern house parties
are not conducted along the lines
you've laid down, uncle. Change your
mind and judge for yourself He
turned the knob. "By the way, I
didn't mention the other chapcron, did
l? It's Mrs. Angel, Bertha's widowed
aunt, you know" with his parting
shot, which he knew was effective. Row
discrcetly retrcated.
After he had gone Merriwcther sat
nm hour staring nj the fire and pulling
away at n smokelcss pipe. Then he
arose and looked earnestly at himself
In he mantel mirror. "Wc're apt TO
run down." he apostrophiZed his re.
Election; 'apt to run to seed. we bachc.
Tors. Now, This tie-let's see, it's six
months out of style. and Gertrude used
to be-hum." lie stepped to the phone
and called up his tailor, realizing that
his mine had already undergone the
change Roy hoped for.
Ten days later he arrived at The
Pines just In time TO dress for dinner.
He was accompanied by a man and a
smart lot of luggage, accessories which
made so marked n change in his M.
p%carancc that when mt q o'clock he de
sccndcd to the lower hall Bertha Mon.
roe awaiting her aunt at the foot of
the stairs, surveyed him in delighted
ainazcmcnt.
why. Uncle Bruce she exclaimed.
wv y" w INV U F'hlN'lN hltN YOU.
Bertha was his nephcw's iianccc and
already claimed relationship in private
10 the uncle. I'D make Roy wear
evening clothes in the morning ir he
had such II splendid i%igurc-so filed
out, you know"
Merriwcthcr. following her into the
living room, laughed grimly at the
doubtful compliment. "Oh, he'll tip the
scales at 30 500 enough, don't wor.
ry!"
You surely don't look that stout"
began Bertha and, turning abruptly
toward The entrance. finished with.
Does he. auntlc?'
Gertrude Angel swept past her niece
and met Mcrriwether's outstrctchcd
hand cordially. Look? Why. he looks
surprisingly like the Bruce Merriwcth-
or | used To know SO we'll
"Fiftccn years ago was ON the end
OF McrriWcther'S tongue. but he check
ed himself Just in time. Gertrude prob.
ably ignored lapscs in time ms women
nave II habit of doing, he thought. But
surely hers was II face. Il form. Il bear.
ing, which had 80 successfully with
stood time as 10 cntitlc her 10 the Sp-
pcliatiun or youth. Her brown hair
had not lost lis luSt"r. nor had her blue
eyes lost au"ht of their sparkling in
t"r"st in life, while she carried herself
with her old time spring ANA yiyari,y.
Mcrriwcthcr noted all these things rs
h" sat opposite her at dinner. His
memory flashed picture after picture
before him-thc primary days in their
old homc school, their grammar room
bcirothal, the warm friendship of later
years, which had meant something
more to him; then her marriage and
ilt" abroad, As lie looked at her he
had the uncomfortable feeling llat. al
though her birth had annotated his Nv
one year, she was many Years his
Junior.
lie was Just charactcriZing himself
as OLD when his ncphew'S voice
aroused him and added noinr ,o his
reflection. Tomorrow morning we
skate announced Roy ioyfully. i've
hal the pond back here cleared for
action, and the ice is o. X Then he
added carelcSslv, by the way. Uncle
Bruce. ! forgot Ia tell YOU Ia bring
skates along. hut ! can easily provide
you with II pair"
Merriwcthcr quaked inwardIy. hut
made no reply until after dinner. when
he backed his nephew into n corner
n addressed him privately and force
fully, I've not been on skates for ten
years, ana ! don't intend 10 make i
spectacle Of myself now by any
means"
,M'hA nnnln nI rnn Ennn. lhnI