The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-01-04

1hOhSAON - AAudl Il 1JOO.-
Graves admired a new frock I was
showing her yesterday. She asked me
for the address of my dressmaker.
You asked her about a dressmaker.
and she gave you my address when
she thought she was giving you the
dressmaker's. That's just like her"
The two women laughed in concert
and then suddenly paused. Both had
caught the rumble of masculine laugh
ter and realized that Roland had risen
and was standing. altogether expect-
ant in attitude and expression.
my son, Miss Do tell me your
name and stop for cup of tea muir
INJURED Mrs. Baxter, eager to relieve
the girls embarrassment. Miss Hess9
Ny SON. Roland, light the alcohol
stove and ring for some Of that straw
berry jam you love-"
Mrs. Baxter meant only to undo the
mischief wrought By her voluble and
inaccurate friend, but in a few min
utes she was sincerely interested in
her charming If unexpected guest
They had mutual friends in Denver,
and Polly's great-grandfather and Mrs.
Baxter's great-uncle had fought in the
same regiment during the war of 1912.
So 1t happened that Roland Baxter
was just wondering whether the am
brosia of the gods and strawberry
Jam sandwiches were interchange1v.~
terms when somewhere far off a soft
chime struck five times.
With the exquisite flush which was
one Of her best points Polly sprang to
her feet
you've been so perfectly charming,
Mrs. Baxter, that I've lost all track OF
time, and now it must be quite dark"
Mrs. Baxter was bending her head
in listening attitude.
Roland, that sounds like sleet. 1t
must be storming."
Young Baxter fastened to the VIM
dow and uttered an exclamation OF
dismay.
1.-THE worst ever. You can't think
of going out In it, Miss Hess"
"Oh, but must! Please telephone
for cab Mother viii be so anxious"
Baxter rang up the nearest cab sta.
ton
whats that? You wouldn't send q
horse out In this storm? Are you rum
ming an animal society or a transport
tation liner"
Brief silence, then a prolonged whis>
tie, and the receiver was hung up
with decision.
mo venturing out for you, Miss
Hess" he remarked, with unconcealed
satisfaction IT'S a blizzard, the sort
we usually get in February, and It's
been tying up the town while we've
been drinking tea"
ooh, but must Mother viii worry.
Whatever shall / do?'
Polly's cheeks were pale now, and
her dimples had faded
do, my dear? Why, we viii tele-
phone your mother before the wires
are down." interrupted Mrs. Baxter.
II trust your grocer and butcher beat
the blizzard, and If you will be my
guest until the storm is OVER
Impulsive Polly sprang forward and
clasped the hand of her hostess.
you are so splendid. wish I could
say what feel''- And then, catching
the light Of a pair Of hazel eyes watch.
. ing her above the telephone book, she
said "Ohr' very suddenly and turned
. her face the other way.
1t was IL. The couple from the floor
below who had come up for a game Of
| whist had taken their departure Mrs.
Baxter was making the rounds of her
apartment to be sure that all was fast
against the storm, which still ragged
furiously. Polly and Roland stood in
the round bay window looking down
the storm blocked boulevard.
What cruel thing a big storm isv'
!, said Polly
2 mot this storm. I think it is the
finest old blizzard that ever blizzed "
He tried hard to look into her eyes
'Tf l could just tell you what this
i blizzard means to me-
J He had been drawing her toward
$ him with his glance, but now she drew
back and summoned all her dimples.
$ please, please, not now, not here
: 1t is your house, you see, and I'd have
to be polite"
q Don't you want to be polite?" urged
q Roland Baxter significantly
e 'I don't know. oh, you are not play
ing fair It's so SOON
Nothing of the sort" interrupted
e Roland recklessly. ut happened at II
! o'clock this morning. remember thu
chimes ringing just as l looked int
n your eyes for the first time"
And again Polly Hess said "Ohr
which, oddly enough, seemed to satisf.
g her companion, for he dropped tn
$ heavy curtains, blotting out all sigh
CT the raging elements, and drew he
r back into the circle Of crimson shades
$. lamplight.