Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1910-01-19

hard only Kitty Mum herself could
have told. And she told no one! Not
even her husband. She smiled and
smiled, and women who did not smile
because they lacked her grit envied
her for her seeming happiness. Then
Dick built house for her, and they
moved into it from the one they had
always rented. They bought new rugs
and few new pieces of furniture.
Kitty guided her buying by quality,
not quantity. And now the time had
come for her to make her final great
endeavor; she would give an enter
tainment and invite all the best peo-
pie, in return for which all the best
people must invite her. And because
all the really best people were inter
ested in music and literature more or
less. she decided to give musicale.
1t seemed that all things had con-
spired against her. First the rain had
come on; then because of it Maud
Merrill had failed to keep her engage
ment; the whole thing was thrown
"out of mash," as Dick would say of
piece of machinery. Yet with Prof.
Dix the day might still be saved.
There was really large percentage
of people present for the number of
invitations she had sent out. That was
very encouraging. Her spirits had
sunk pretty low after she had read
Maud Merril's note of regret, but they
lifted again as she looked over her
well-filled parlors. Then her heart
stopped beating, for the girl who an
swered the bell was bringing her an
other note. She took it and tore it
open with trembling fingers. In spite
of the fact that good many eyes
were upon her she felt her self-com-
mand slipping from her like a mantle
from her shoulders. Prof. Dix, West
more's greatest musical asset, had
written to say that his sister was i'll
in New York and that he had been
telegraphed for; therefore he would
not be able, etc. He was very sorry,
but he was sure she would under
stand. Yes, she understood. She un-
derstood that after all her efforts she
had failed, through no fault of her
own She stood there looking straight
ahead, still holding bravely to her lit
tie smile, but thinking over and over
with deadly reiteration that her must
Gale was farce and that she would
rather be in her grave than hear the
things that would be said about her
tomorrow.
Then the doorbell rang again sharp
ly and the girl came toward her
again. Mrs. Mum, can you come
here minute?"
What had happened now? Dazedly
she obeyed the summons. In the vesti-
bule stood young man in motor
coat and cap.
81 beg your pardon" he said. "I
see you have party here eX l am
sorry to disturb you, but you see our
car has broken down right before
your door and my sister is in it. Will
you let her come in while try to re-
pair the damage? This is a terrible
storm"
cit is a terrible storm" Mrs. Mum
said, waking up little. Eyes, do
bring your sister in and come in your
self. You can run the machine into
our barn till the storm lets up
He thanked her and went back to
the car. In q moment he returned ac-
companied by a tall young woman
swathed in damp chiffon and rubber
lined silk. I'm sorry to give you all
this trouble" she said, "but the car
positively won't move another inch.
Carl thinks he can fix it, though. You
are having party here?"
GA musicale without any music
Mrs. Mum laughed, her eyes full of
forlorn tears. "You see all the per-
formers have disappointed me-"
The girl stared. She seemed to be-
thinking rapidly. Then with an ador-
able smile she laid her hand on Mrs.
Munn's arm.
ga musicale without musicl Now
that mustn't be. You must let Carl
and me help you out. I am a concert
singer and he my accompanist, from
New York, you know. We are motor
ing to our bungalow in the mountains
And we have lot of music with us.
If you like we will entertain your
SUCOCO, yOu pun l1Cl1O OcAAAcl14Cclh'
Mrs. Mum could not answer, but
the sob of joy and relief she permit
tod herself, said more than words
Fifteen minutes later she stood with
beaming face among her guests while
her husband proudly introduced to
them by name which set them gasp
ing, their entertainers. For these
young people had been heard of in
Westmore, had once even refused to
appear upon the lecture course pro-
gram, and now, 10 and behold, this
amazing little Kitty Mum had them
at her musicalei
That evening was triumph-suchl
a triumph as Mrs. Mum never even
dared to dream of. Such singing, |
such playing, had never before been
heard in Westmore. And, besides, the |
presence of these two young people |
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