The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-06-18


ty, as if he were the state militia.
Take the dinner ont 10y the lake
not too near the water" directed Mrs.
Pashley. who was going about with
panied. cOnsecrated face rs if they had
just been shipwrecked on a desert is
land.
For Ike the forenoon passed gloomily
away, but he put in good days work
waiting ON the women.
As dinner time approached they be
gan to expect the other picnickers 10
look them up. but no one came. SO Mrs
Pashley sent Ike to Coggin's gap to ask
the minister and his crowd to come 70
Feathers gap to eat. as that would
save carrying the dinner mile
Ike struck out through the woods
that skirted the bluffs above the sand
dunes. When he had gone about half
the distance he met Phyllis Jones.
''Hello! he shouted.
''Where you been?" cried Phyllis.
Feathers gap
Though Phyllis had a good DISPOSE
ton and a great capacity for work. ma
ture had not seen fit to bless her with
much chin, but she had an honest free
kled face, and Ike considered her per
lection
We supposed you folks had gone to
the wrong gap" explained Phyllis $50
the minister told me to go over and tell
Mis- Pashley that. as she had the din
ner. we'd all come over to Feathers
gap to eat-or if she'd ruther come
Mis- Pashley d ruther eat where
she is, so that's settled" answered Ike
easily. Then he proceeded to forget
the other picnickers entirely.
''Loollic" he cried, producing a dingy
candy heart bearing in bold rcd letters
the suggestive motto. BE My Honey"
II mean wOrse'n that" limited Ike
darkly. slipping the heart into her
hand. Immediately presenting her with
another saccbarine sentiment. yours
For Eternity
After reading this solemn promise
Phyllis fished out a candy heart from
her own pocket. which as thrifty and
farsighted young woman she may have
secreted for this very emergency. and
gave it to Ike, who read with great sat
isfactiOn. Il Am Yours
"When?' he asked briefly.
Not till after butcherin' time" an
swercd Phyllis promptly and firmly.
"Aw. thunderstorm" cried Ike, great
ly displcased Talk sense"
You don't want me very bad if you
can't wait till I'm ready. Pete Jen-
ner q wait till doomsday"
"I'll-I'll wait till next grass-if You
say so" vowed the distressed dairy
man recklessly.
"No. Ike. Butcherin' times long
enough. III be ready by then"
"Lookic," cried Ike heres path
that leads TO the lake Let's 90 down"
Following this path. they found
little cove sheltered from the world by
high clay ridges that shut them com
pletely from view Of either gap. Here
they sat hand in hand watching the
waves and. growing hungry. lunchad
on Il whole bag Of amorous worded
sweets that Ike produced from a bulg
ing pocket.
Maybe we ought to look the others
up" suggested Phyllis after a long sea
son of blissful munching
cav, thunder-no"' objected Ike.
There might be something to do
somewhercs,' she added vaguely.
Il done it ALL" Ike assured her.
IL - ~,
and her satellites waited lmpatiently
for Ike and the other picnickers
Lets feed these children and eat
ourselves" suggested Mrs. Jenner
NO" said Mrs. Pashley emphatical-
ly. 'Thc others might not like It,"
mis- Peters would have a fit if we
ct without her" declared Mrs. Blish.
Lets all 90 over to Coggin's gap and
then send Ike and Brother Pashley
back here for the dinner"
"No. If we go. We'll take the dinner
with u" said Mrs. Pashley. "Albert's
chest isn't strong"
ITS a long walk to tug all these
victuals." sighed Mrs. Blish.
But guess it's the only thing to
do" replied Mrs. Pashley. Mrs. Jen-
ner, you get the children together and
We'll go"
They went through the woods. as Ike
had gone. for that was the shortest
way.
At last they filed thankfully down
the crooked path into Coggin's gap.
But the Rev. Mr.. Pashley and his half
of the crowd were not there
where's Ike?" burst out Mrs. Blish
as she sat cumbrously down on the
sand to rest in the shade of an ant
covered willow.
And where's Brother Pashley and
the rest gone to-" exclaimed Mrs. Jen-
ner.
well, they've gone" declared Mrs.
Jenner, "and we cant help it. So we'd
jest better uniack these victuals double
quick"
'No, no; 1t won't do at allr' cried
Mrs. Pashley sharply as several wo-
men. anxious to feed the clamoring
children, fused over the baskets.
Put those covers on again" com
manded the minister's wife. "Mr.
Pashley and the others will probably
come in few minutes"
But nobody appeared. and they be-