The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1909-01-21

ward he would
make the poor
child by doing so.
"Of course she
admitted, ELISE Is
only IL and IL is
absurd to say that
EIIee Roy Is a real call
er, but it's the
first time boy has ever come formal
ly to see Elise. She asked him to her
class dance and his sister phoned to-
day that he was going to do the proper
thing and call tonight. Why, I'm as
nervous as can be, motherl After
Roy gets here I'm going upstairs so
that Elise won't feel embarrassed. II
Lon were here he'd smbarrass the
children to death. That meeting down
town was providential."
When the bell rang Mrs. Clurger and
her mother rose preoipitately and the
former welcomed the flushed and pain.
fully dressed-up boy OF 16 who was
ushered In. At Elise's naughty en-
trance, slightly marred by her short
skirts and a stumble over the rug, her
mother hastily and mirthfully with
drew, gasping into her own mothers
ear broken remarks about how funny
It was.
at brings back memories of my
own" said the elder woman, with
cheerful malice.
Hell be gone by nine o'clock" muir
INJURED Mrs. Clurger. as she proceeded
to write some letters.
At a quarter past nine she looked
up with a start.
''Mercy!" she said. what can they
find to talk about? Lon1l be home any
time now-and he loves so to tease!
wouldn't hurt Roy's feelings for the
world! l thlnk-yes, I'll drop my
shoes over their headsl"
Two heavy thumps resulted In no
cessation Of the chatter in the library
below. Mrs. Cluger began walking
up and down,
II never thought to tell Elise that he
mustn't stay late" she murmured. Il
thought she'd know thatl"
you always said under like circum-
! stances" put in her mother, who was
enjoying herself very much, that you
couldn't very well tell the boys to go
hone and that you were helpless in
the situation. fancy that Elise is
helpless also"
III 1t wasn't for Lon!" worried Mrs.
Clurger, discreetly passing by the rem
iniscences Of her early life. Il can un-
derstand that Elise doesn't know what
to do or how to get rid of Roy or that
Roy doesn't know how to make his
escape-but you know how a man is!
Why, Lon would Just roar with laugh
ter II he came in at ten and found his
14-year-old daughter sitting up en-
pertaining callerl"
She went out on the stair landing.
Roy" she called, sweetly, when you
so home-when you go home, / say,
would you mind telling your sister
that l wish she'd call me up on the
phone tomorrow. as want to speak
to herr
mo, ma'am, not at ALL" responded
Roy with nervous heartiness.
The conversation in the library was
resumed.
Il had no idea that Elise had enough
things TO talk about to all up Is min
utes," said Mrs. Clurger, plaintively.
Il have another idea Graciousl
Was that Lon on the front porch"
She few to her desk telephone and,
calling up the telephone exchange,
asked the operator to ring the bell OF
the downstairs telephone II was al
ways Elise's task to answer that bell
For ave minutes the downstairs tele-
phone bell sizzed and rang spasmodic-
ally, but TO deaf ears. In the library
Elise was playing the perfect lady to
whom telephones were things to be at
tended 10 by housemaids or small chill
dren.
Mrs. Clurger was nearly in tears.
what shall do, mother?" she walled.
Excuse me for laughing" said her
mother. II have done what you are
doing so many times in my life.
never really saw justice overtake a
sinner before. really can't sym
pathize with you as l should"
II was 20 minutes of IL when Elise's
caller departed, When she came up
stairs her mother grabbed her.
Il hear your fathers latchkey," she
almost Kissed. Hurry into your room
and don't dare make light TO go TO
bed by! II he knew"
Elise few from her mothers hands
like the wind. Mrs, Clurger drew her
first long breath OF relief as her hus-
band came upstairs at leisurely pace.
1t was over the telephone next day
that Mrs. Clurger got the rest of the
story.
Il asked Roy" gurgled Roy's sister,
what under creation he could scrape
up to talk about for three mortal hours