The Washington herald., 1909-03-28

1T Is" he said firmly. Il know Tre-
leaven would just rather meet the fell
lows"
You've never had any OF the college
men out before except when have been
away at school," accusingly.
IT guess that's So" indifferently.
And you know have three girls stay
ing at the house"
MINI said Billy
Antoinette took a frmer position on the
rug. 1T is not easy entertaining house
guests in this little place unless ones
neighbors are willing to help" size OBJ
served
Mr.. Ordway shifted his weight 70 the
other leg. Since Mss Addington refused
10 be seated, he was obliged TO stand. but
he allowed himself the luxury OF a weary
sigh. Il have done what I could TO help
YOU" he said gently
Your" scornfully. "An you have done
is TO come over and let them entertain
you. And now that at last you are hav-
Ing dinner you leave US out
Billy looked regretful but set
And none of the girls ever seen an
arctic explorer" said Antoinette.
Billy reposed his exhausted length upon
the corner OF a table and proceeded 10
patient explanation you see IL is this
way" he said, not without some con-
cealed enjoyment OF his fair nelghbor's
wrathful countenance ''Treleaven being
just back from this arctic expedition is
only interested IN geological formations
and chronological Investigations and-er-a
regular dinner with girls wouldn't be half
the fun that a stag will"
''All OF which shows how very, very,
pitiably young you are" said Miss Ad-
dington. hurting the bolt best calculated
10 make the enemy wlggle. and she
swept aside the hangings and disap-
peared without further ceremony OF
leavetaking- Billy heard the screen door
slam and through the window beheld his
departing visitor stalk across the lawn
that separated her home from his. taking
pains 10 select the particular portions
that still awaited him and the lawn
mower. When she jumped the dividing
line OF red geraniums with a reckless
scattering Of scarlet petals and disap-
peared up her own steps he grinned
gently. That's one time she didn't get
her own way" he said Then he went
out 10 announce to the cook that he ex-
pected all the best things on the table.
just as they were when his mother was
at home and had company. Those little
lace rags and the cut glass and all the
forks and spoons and the whole works"
he said and you get your niece to wait
on the table, Nora"
Sure" said Nora. "and I'll cook We
Inc grand dinner. I suppose the young
ladies' next door viii be coming?''
The young ladies next door viii not be
coming" said Billy decidedly 1T is 10
be all men. Nora. all members OF my fra
ternity. in honor Of one Of them, Mr.
Treleaven. He IS just back from a jour
ney in search or the north pole"
He is?" exclaimed Nora admiringly
And him jist a young bye like you."
Billy frowned. Mr.. Treleaven is a lit
tie older than I am" he explained. He
has been out Of college five OF six years
You'll remember about getting your niece
TO wait on the table. Nora
I will" said Nora reassuringiy. and
Billy departed TO figure out how many OF
NAtN AAcANA my btNNAtN+S NVuAQ Dt rounded
up in July for the honor OF dining with
Theodore Yates Treieaven. arctic ex-
pIorer.
Silver and crystal. real lace doilies and
embroidered damask. even the ROYAL
Dresden service plates which were SUD-
posed never 10 be used in the absence OF
the mistress OF them-all of these things
adorned the table to which Billy ushered
his guests. There We're even sweet peas
In all the Dresden colors scattered with
artistic carelessness over the white cloth
Il didn't think Nora had Il in her" medi-
tated Billy in a glow OF approval Now
II that niece Of hers don't spill the SCUM
the way she did the last time
Mr. Treleaven. broad. blond. six feet
tall, and handsome. was going on with a
description OF how ne killed his first pol
ar bear and Billy was keeping one at
tentive and enthusiastic eve on him and
one anxious one on the door into the
buffers pantry. And there I was"
said Mr.. Treleaven.
The door swung open A maid entered.
She wore lacy cap and apron. She car
ried a silver tray. She looked as n Il
would be an impossibility for her to spill
things But Billy turned a deep and mis-
cradle crimson. His attentive eve and his
anxious one moved guiltily around the
table Thank heaven, Antoinettes re-
prOach had been true. None of the col
lege men had ever before visited him
except when she had been away at school.
They would never know that the serving
maid was no serving maid. but an exas-
perating young woman who belonged on
the other side Of a geranium hedge. He
would simply ignore her presence; that
would be best
1T was straight luck. of course" Mr..
Treleaven was saying. IF the bear
hadn't happened"-his frank blue eyes
fell on the young person who was serv-
ing the soup-''if the bear hadn't hap
pened--" he repeated.
If the bear hadn't happened" said
Peter French cheerfully. "of course YOU
couldn't have shot It. Now, in my bear
killing experience-Ah" The waitress.
deft. graceful. unconscious. had moved
into his range OF vision. Come to think
OF II, never did XIII bear" he said.
There are times"-with devout look
when cannot tell lie"
Billy crimson grew TO maroon. venge- |
ful rage sat upon his countenance. But
nobody looked at Billy. net even the
waitress. As though she were alone in |
the room, she went through her duties
Each guest IN turn beheId a snowy hand
set down his plate before him. Each
caught In turn faint, a very faint.
elusive hint Of violets. Each for an in
slant felt the presence Of a minIsterine
goddess behind his chair. Then she was
gene, and the glances that had followed
to the swing door came back to center
on Billy.
I believe icebergs break of OF their
own weight. do they not?' said Billy.
He addressed the young man who was
supposed TO be an authority on polar
affairs. The young man looked at him
absently.