The San Francisco call., 1909-10-09

over said Uncle Jack, and he and
Mary went out to look for the mischief.
NVFHAT Mary had not noticed at all
M it took Mr.. Marshall only a sec
ond to see He made the round
of the table. picking up one pretty
place card after another and looking
exceedingly cross "A good Gaming
would be about right for this piece of
work" he remarked to the indignant
cook, who, now that she saw what had
been done. was angry enough at the
boys to have administered the spank
ing herself with a right good will
The boys had gone to the other end
of the veranda to wait until they saw
the children go through the library be-
fore taking up their post outside the
dining room windows. so they did not
see Mr.. Marshall examining their ar
tistic efforts What to do Cecilia's
favorite uncle did not know. There
was no time to get new place cards
and Cecilia would be awfulfy disap-
pointed il there was none there; but
if the cards were left as they were
the little guests would. some OF them,
have their feelings hurt and others.
hostess. Some one might even grow
a little cross, which would be an un-
comfortable thing for a party.
Suddenly an idea occurred to Uncle
Jack. Il think it will be all right
Mary he said cheerfully, as he went
up to the dining room TO help choose
partners for the march to the dining
room.
Just before the procession started
Uncle Jack asked permission to say a
few words to the young guests.
Ladies and. gentlemen" he an
nounced, there Is a surprise in store
for you. and I am sorry to say IL Is
nn alfnOafhar Off-
hostess had prepared an attractive SOU
venir for each guest, which souvenirs
are now on the table; but, ladies and
gentlemen. there has been a sad trans
formation. No one will be more sur
prised than the hostess at what has
occurred. An unkind wizard-if mis-
take not. two unkind wizards-have
been at work. II Is very probable
that those wizards will be looking
on when you take your seats; so IL
you see anything that dlspleases you.
please laugh heartily. Immediately fol-
lowing this opening laugh 1 will give
q special prize OF hand painted paper
doll to the girl, or a good stout knife
to the boy. who drst guesSes who these
wizards were. After the guessing you
will all please laugh heartily again
and then forget all about it."
At the conclusion OF this speech ,
everybody was highly mystifed and
excited.
When the dining room was reached
there was a seconds pause while all
were being seated. Then naturally
enough everybody looked at the place
card Perhaps Ii Il had not been for
Uncle Jacks warning there would have
been dispIeased feelings here and there.
and even as IL was frown or two
huttered across the brows OF couple OF
the girls But Immediately there was
such a burst OF hearty laughter from
the others that everybody was COM
PEELED to Join IN. and then IN q united
chorus rose the cry, 'It was Tom and
John Dacre" and this time the hearty
laugh was as genuine and spontaneous
as II was musical.
Good" said Uncle Jack. special
prizes for every one. see. As IL will be
necessary for me TO send downtown for
won't mind my mailing them to you to-
morrow, and now for the fourth part
OF the program. ists forget all about
A FOR Tom and John Dacre, thsFa
never ware two more amazed boys than
were they when they saw ths laughing
receptiou Of their work and heard the
shouts OF merrimsnt.
"What's tha good Of taking all that
trouble II thsy take Il Hike thatT' aaid
Tom.
Fwen. I'm siad they sid," said John
paere II didat know those girls were
suoh Sports IL always seemed 80 sasY
to tease thsm before
about UHeIe Jacks warning snd WAY
the guests-at the party HAD net been
tsassd,