The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-07-23

up by the middle of September. ! jug.
ran in to ask If your paint and white :
wash brushes were in good order.
Peter said as how you mentioned hav-
ing supply of 'em when you offered
to keep house for him months ago.
Ny, now red your face is, Emeline.
You hadn't ought to wear pink. Now,
if do say 1t, I've a complexion that'll
stand any color"
81 didn't exactly Offer stammcred
Mrs. Platt, tears Of modification smart
ing her eyes.
"Oh, well, it is all past and done
witn," interrupted Serena airily. 81
just had to give in. He wouldn't take
no. Well, if you'll lend the brushes
I'll be goin'."
Armed with the brushes, 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 housekeeping line. Serena called
seldom now, and the time passed slow
ly.
81 just ran In to ask your opinion
of these samples" began Serena one
day in September. Were going to
have new carpets for the double par
lors. Don't you prefer the green?'
Serena wore her best dress. II shall
need a new one soon," she said COM
placently, smoothing down its silken
folds.
81 suppose the affair III come of
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.
81 suppose it'll come of after har-
vest" unused Mrs. Plat despondently,
meaning Peters wedding.
One afternoon as Mrs. Platt was set
ting her table for tea she was sur
prised by a call from Peter Judd.
Coming to invite me to the we'd
ding" she surmised as he sauntered
up the path. "Well, If it's foreor-
dained he should marry Serena I'll not
be spiteful about it. SIT down and
have a cup Of tea, Peter" she urged,
cutting great, fat. shaking, four
stored jelly cake into generous slices
Peter Judd, large man with Il
pleasant, ford face, seated himself
and absorbed tea and cake with much
satisfaction.
You always were master hand at
cake, Emeline," he commented affably.
81 never saw your beat. It's some
thing in that line that l 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 a strained voice.
81 want that you should do a little
baking for me. Could you"
"Do some baking for your she
gasped. For 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 faltered.
"What if she don't?" exploded Mr..
Judd. "She can't cook. And want
something decent in the house when
! get back from Minooka."
Back from Minookaw Emeline
asked in a dazed fashion. "Are you
going away"
"Why. of course! Going to Minooka
So get married. Don't you know that
Floretta lives there?"
"Floretta. Are you-is she'-
Her mans dead, If that's what
you're trying to get at. Drank himself
to death, reckon. thought you
knew all along"
Mrs. Plat poured more tea with
shaking hand. A sudden burst Of sun
shine illuminated her world. Does
Mis- Lamb knowW
"Not She" returned Peter, beginning
another attack on the cake. "'Tain't
none of her business, anyway. l got
her to clean up before Floretta comes.
That's all wanted of her. VIII you
do them things, Emeline-the cakes
and suchW
Eyes, yesv' cried Mrs. Plat. Her
voice was joyful, her face aglow. All
the gloom Of the past few weeks van
ished as If by magic. "Pll do more'n
that, Peter. I'm so tickled to have
Floretta for a neighbor 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