The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-01
BgSHPUL
YET FE9RLESS

If / had been caught in such a
situation by anybody but John Benton
should have been terribly annoyed.
There was sitting on the floor of
the nursery with hair tumbled, my
face red, and a great rent across the
front Of my shirt, where 1t had been
caught by nail a few minutes be-
lore during fierce blindmans buff,
ecrimmage
My little sister Alice was having
. party and of course had to as
sist in entertaining the guests. There
were just twelve, seven boys and five
girls. When John Benton tapped at
the door ] said come in" careless
ly, supposing it was one of the SER
wants.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Latour.
They said should find you here. But
perhaps ! have made some mistake"
mot at all, Mr.. Benton" said I,
as scrambled to my feet. I'VE are
pleased to see you Sit down on-on
the piano stool The chairs have
been taken into the other room. We
have been playing blind mans buff."
I'll received this invitation"
went ON Mr.. Benton, taking an en-
velope from his pocket.
The gilt-edged card within read:
Miss Latour requests the pleasure
Of your company on Tuesday, Decem-
Der 20, at five o'clock"
looked reproachfully at my seven
year-old sister, Alice. She had sent
one Of the printed Invitations, IN
which the printer had neglected to
insert the name Alice" to John Ben
ton, and the great BOBBY had taken
It for granted that was the Miss
Latour, so he had come in full dress
Ia nice contrast to my torn dress
and disheveled hair.
did not care much what said to
John Benton. Ever since had met
dim at the Warren's ball; three
months ago, my brothers all decided
that he was in love with me, but
was too bashful to tell me so.
Not that he was backward where
men were concerned. My brother
Will took me to the Stock Exchange
one morning. and saw John Benton.
with his hat ON the back of his head,
grasping a brass railing with one
hand and shaking the other, holding
some papers in the face of a savage
hooking man, and shouting at him at
the top of his voice in the most de-
liant manner.
But Mr.. Benton was not thinking
about the market as he walked over
to the piano stool in his dress Goa.
and white necktie, and sat there with
one Of the most sheepish smiles
ever saw on young mans face.
"Now, Lou, you must sit down on
the floor again, so that we can play
torfeits. And you, too. Mr.. Benton.
Come on" said Alice.
John Benton blushed and looked at
me.
Most of the penalties were m the
shape of kisses, and / felt nervous
until my turn came. Alice held for.
feits over the head of a particular
friend OF hers. girl of her own
age and it was the duty OF the latter
to say when what should be done
with the owner of the article. There
was my handkerchief held up threat
eningly.
l am ashamed to say that my
heart beat quickly when Alice repeat
ed the familiar nursery jargon, and
it fairly jumped when sha with a
mischieyous glance at Mr.. Benton and
myself stepped and whispered to her
friend. Then she went on with the
question:
What shall be done with the own
er?'-
Clear cut and distinct came he
answer:
"She shall kiss Mr.. Benton.
"Oh, it's Lou-it's Lou?" fshoutId
Alice.
There was silence as Everybody e.
eept Mr.. Benton looked at Ene to SO
the operation performed. wblsn baly
poice at my side said:
'srll tiss him fer you. Lou"
So Stella climbed up 70 Mr.. Bel
toms neck. with one Of her hanls
ON his white shirt frohtE ard. as sle
said herself: