The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-06-17

looking place! And it must be all rid
up by the middle OF September. I just
ran in 10 ask If your paint and white
wash brushes were in good order.
Peter said as how you mentioned hay
Ing supply OF 'em when you offered
TO keep house for him months ago.
My, how red your face is, EmelineI
You hadn't ought to wear pink Now,
If 1 do say it I've 4 complexion rhat'l!
stand any color
Il didn't exactly offer stammered
Mrs. Plat, tears of modification smart
ing her eyes.
'oh, well, it is all past and done
WITH interrupted Serena airi.y. II
just had to give in. He wouldn't take
a no Well, If you'll lend the brushes
I'll be goin'''
Armed with the brus hes, Serena de
parted, every movement of the organ
die proclaiming victory.
In the days that followed Mrs. Plat
gave much time to sitting on the front
porch watching her friends progress
In the housecleaninG line. Serena called
seldom now, and the time passed slow
u.
Il Just ran in TO ask your opinion
OF these samples" began Serena one
DAY in September. We're going to
nave he" carpets Tor the double par
lors. Don't you prefer the green:"
Serena wore her best dress. u shall!
need a new one soon," she said com
placently, smoothing down it's silken
folds.
Il suppose the affair II come Off
soon," ventured Mrs Plat after the
merits of greens and reds In carpets
had been duly canvaSSed, but Serena
only smiled consciously as she gath
cred up the samples and departed.
Il suppose it'll come Off after har-
vest" unused Mrs. Plat despond emily,
meaning Peters wedding.
One afternoon as Mrs. Plat was set
ting her table for tea she was sur
prised by a call from Peter Judd.
Coming 10 invite me to the we'd
ding" she surmiscd rs he sauntered
up the path well, if it's foreor-
daincd he should marry Serena I'll not
be spitcful about it. Sit down and
have cup Of tea, Peter" she urged.
cutting great, fat shaking. four
stored jelly cake into generous slices.
Peter Judd. large man with a
pleasant, forid face, seated himself
and absorbed tea and cake with much
satisfaction.
You always We're n master hand at
cake. Emeine." he commented affably.
Il never saw your beat. It's some
thing in that line that 1 called to see
you about"
Was it possible that he was going to
ask her to initiate Serena in the diff
cult art? Mrs. Platt's face clouded
''Well:' she asked in q strained voice.
II want that you should do a little
baking for me. Could you?"
"Do some baking for you?' she
gasped. Tor the lands sakes! When:'
Peter reached for another piece of
cake. For the next Tuesday and the
balance of the week. You'll know
what's needed"
The wedding was to take place Tues
day. then. Emelines world was tenn
pOrary blank. Serena wouldn't like
it, she fnltcred.
"What If she don't?" exploded Mr..
Judd. "Sho cant cook And I want
something decent in the house when
I get back from AIinooka'
Back from Minooka:' Emelinc
asked in n dazed fashion. care you
going away
"Why. of course! Going to Nfnooka
to get married. Don't you know that
FlOrotta lives therc?
"ElOretta! Are you--is She'--
Tier mans dead If that's what
you're trying to get at. Drank himself
to DEATH | reckon. 1 thought you
knew all along"
Mrs. Platt poured more tea with 4
shaking hand. y sudden burst of sun
shine illuminated her world. DOCS
Mis- Lamb know"
Not She returned Peter, beginning
another attack on the cake "'Taint
none OF her business, anyway. 1 got
her to clean up before Eloretta comes
That's all l wanted of her VIII you
do them things, Emeline-the cakes
and such:"
Yes, yes cried Mrs. Platt. Her
voice was joyful. her face aglow All
the gloom of the past few weeks van
ished as If by magic. I'll do more n
that Peter. I'm so ticklcd to have
Floretta for q neiChbor again that I'll
invite a lot of her old friends here for
Tuesday. And I'll have the best din
ner spread out that you ever sat down
to-"
II