The Ordway new era., 1909-08-27
THE: GUEST OF HONOR
BY MINNA THOMAS ANTRIM
tCopyrlght, by J, 3. Llpplncott Coz

his pudding was MS utaI HhnlHh u
but no. he would not even whisper
such unhlial hercsy. She was not n
4 lie could not now even frame
the word in his pure little mind
Sometimes it is p'lite to say fings
ats stories?" he asserted anxiously.
TO be polite is rather complicat-
ed matter. old man" said Keith hur-
riedIy. lie saw that Marion was really
distressed.
What's at-pomplicated? asked
Don quickly.
"A mix-up." laughed Keith. hastily
pushing some nuts over to the child.
Let's see VINO nrst gets dozen nuts
opened for mamma"
Let's" cried Don, proceeding to
use his pretty teeth as crackers.
Marion glanced at Keith gratefully.
II was her natural desire to remain all
that was trustworthy in her child's
eyes. and while Keith was rehabilitat
ing her infallibility for Don. she
vowed to herself to eschew the usual
social preyarications with unusual
care-in Don's presence.
Dinner over. they were expecting
callers. so. to his entire satisfaction.
the guest OF honor was left with
Keith. He had something to confide
10 his chum.
Let's go toast our toes suggested
Keith. leading the way toward the
roaring fireplace.
I'm glad we is side ourselves.
dot sumiin to show you" whispered
Don mysteriously. Il don't want muv-
yer TO see It,"
He held up piece OF cardboard
upon which were some weird lines
and marks. Dis" said the boy, lis a
horse. It's all done"
Mr.. Kennedy looked at the monster
with serious eyes. The poor creature
seems to have met with an accident
Watts 'at?" Don stared anxiously
at his horse.
ut has lost both OF its ears"
oh" said Don calmly. IL forfeited
to make EN-" For few moments
there was silence. The artist worked
with absorption. Finally the ears
were facts. though very badly accom-
plishcd. OF this. however. Don re
mained unaware, as his chum would
have borne with worse eye-sores than
the boys monstrous production rather
than offend a little child.
Now" breathed Don. will you
please quOss your breaf an never tel
lie?"
I'll cross my breath. old man
Keith made the usual sign.
En- never tell lie?"
And hardly ever tell lie," re
sponded Keith. with chuckle.
Don gazed rather obviously into tn,
handsome face looking so merrily into
his. but he half understood-and be
lieved for the rest. Moreover, tim,
was short and there was somethin,
he wished to coniide to his never-fail
ing adviser.
ITS secret" he whispered
tween jes' you and me-"
I'll keep 1t dark, never fear, Kid
dy."
dis horse is for mammals birfda,
pwesent." Don stopped to note Keith
glad surprise. EN- l want a dol,
iwaihe Tor 1t. VIII you buy me one
Keif?"
Before Keith could verbally prom
Use the expected callers had interrup,
ed their condolences. Nevertheless
ere Don went to bed he managed t
slip his masterpiece into Keith's pocI
ct; whereat wink of understanding
passed between the two allies.
1t would SEEM" dryly said Mr.. Ker
nedy, several hours later. that W
had better choose our dinner tabl
topics with exceeding care when Do
Is our guest of honor"
Marion laughed. Especially" sh
answered mischievously, will it b,
hoove us to eliminate certain name
and eloquent adjectives."
Very wisely said," chuckled Keitl