The Washington herald., 1909-03-28

sry pitiably young you are"
think Billy is right" he said. I didn't
see but one"
Another howl. Nov see what you
have done. William" said Parson Allen.
Caused a strong mans mind TO totter.
Who Is going 20 look after the north
pole now. / should like 10 know7"
Maybe" suggested Rex dlffidently, 'ff
he could see the quartet all together-''
Billy lighted another cigarette. He was
feeling some slight compensation. Way
back IN the days OF DR.. Kane" ne said
Peter leaned forward and addressed his
host:
7 don't want TO Inconvenience you,
Billy" he said. but II 1 could have a
little hot water IN my coffee I'd be
obliged. can't sleep when ] drink eof-
fee. and"
You mean you can't drink coffee when
you sleep?" said Billy
II have lain awake night after night. d"
pursued Peter "iust because I couldn' Z
have hot water IN my coffee. VIII you
kindly ring for some. BIZ. old boyy''
II am afraid" said Billy regTetfully.
that there isn't any hot water Nora
always lets the FIRE go out as soon as she
has made the coffee. She Is the most
economical cook we ever had She
is really invaluable In that respect.
Why"
You might see" said Peter. Just
place your toe on the bell"
The bell is on the kitchen wall" said
Billy. Il can't place my toe on H..
BILLY can't ind the electric button.
guess" offered Rex 7 know how en-
barrassing that is. Bill has the same
preOccupied look that I have noticed IN
hostesses when their wandering toes
failed to locate the little hump under
the rug
They all gazed encouragingly at Billy.
but II was only too evident that his toe
was doing no experimental wandering
Toms FACE frightened with a loving
smile. Let Us find II for brother he
cried. why should ali the work"
But Peter had already disappeared be-
meath the table One other only vas as
prompt-the host His chair was vacant
and from beneath the spOtless damask
came sounds that testified 10 brothers
firm refusal 20 be helped. With gIeeful
shouts the others slid 10 the scene OF
hostilities.
All but the guest OF the evening. He.
about 20 offer his services as aTbiter-Or
ambulance-fancied a slight movement
OF the pantry dOcr and delayed his de-
scent From the muffied eNclamations
that arose il was evident that Billy held
the strategic point With the tail OF his
eye the fearless rover OF the polar seas
caught a more decided movement of the
door.
Come down here and help. Treleaven." 4"
called Tom. rs II nothing 10 you wheth-
er Pete has hot water IN his cohes2
Now. Billy" persuaslvely. you are mus
sing your clothes all I'D sitting on the
floor I think, gentlemen. II we could
move the host about an inch s0u'sou' east
that he would be sitting directly upon
the bell and"
The crack OF the door was widening
Treleaven pushed his chair back gently
Then. as the door swung wide enough 20
show a glimpse Of a dark head. be made
two noiseleSs steps across the room The
door slammed 20, but with a quick push
he was through It. An instant later he
was following a flying figure out OF the
kitchen door.
Noras niece had scattered Three Of
her were just disappearing out OF the
back gate. the fourth. with the homing
instinct Of the pursued. was fitting swift
" across the wide. moon-lighted lawn
toward the hedge Of red geraniums. Il
was the fourth one Treleaven followed
Half way across she was before he laid
a light hand on the soft arm IN It's mus
lin sleeve. A half-dozen more twittering
steps she took and came 70 a stop under
the big maple in the middle OF the Ord
way lawn Very s,adowy and wrath
Ike she looked in the shelter OF It and
very elusive; only the dark-lashed eyes
danced and dropped by turns. Tre.eaven
took his hand away lingeringly.
"Oh, Atalanta, Niece OF Nora" he be-
gan. And then into the stiffness came
the shrill peal OF the Ordway table bell
The two under the maple tree locked
into each others eyes
GO back" said Antoinette reproach-
fully. you are spelling Bfly's party"
This belated and misplaced scruple
brought no answering accusation from
Mr.. Treleaven. He only looked the deep
OF into Miss AddingtOn's eyes "Billy's
party can't be spoiled he said 1T has
been made a part Of paradise
Through the broad. lighted window OF
the dining-rOOm could be seen the dinner
guests eagerly emerging from beneath
the table. and in the doorway, IN answer
to the bell. ;he shaking form Of Nora
AntOinette turned decidedly toward
home. Good night, Oh slayer OF polar
bears" she said.
Good night, he answered and fell
into step at her side.
When Treleaven made his re-entrance
into the dining-roOm Z few minutes later.
the boys, just back from fruitless inves-
tigatiOn Of the house, fell upon him with
demands TO know where he had been.
Only Billy. observing the dreamy smile
IN the blue eyes OF the chief guest and
the red geranium in his buttonhole, hesl-
go huf 7oG
pretending grin. and suggested billiards,
forbearfng 70 question