The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1910-10-08

all right. and We wsre ready for
| them"
ELSIE. have you gone suddenly
mad? Poor child. you're trembling.
Come and sit down and let me help
you get those troublesome nerves un-
der control"
John, dear. please don't tease me
any MORE" she murmured. laying her
tired head childishly for moment on
his shoulder. Don't you see know?
How could I help knowing? ! began
to think about 1t when you sent the
first lot of beefsteak. and l was 80
pleased. dear. that you had remem-
bered the very 1rst anniversary Of our
marriage. So many men forget. And
then when more kept coming. l knew
you must have invited a good many
people. and 30 prepared for them.
But come and tell me II you like the
table. and just exactly how many
places to set. And. John, must know
how soon they are coming: everything
will be cold"
Realization Of the meaning Of 1t all
had rushed upon the man as he lis
tened. He felt the guilt Of many pris-
oners. and wild desire to run away
and hide. He had forgotten the ami
versary, but not for worlds would he
have her know.
The steak was certainly a mistake.
He wondered of what queer vagary Of
his mind he had now been made vic
tim.
Then he looked at the table. dressed
In its snowy cloth. the center of glass
rejecting the flowers as in pool Of
water: at the plates, arranged from
end to end In an orderly row, and the
many chairs like sentinels. guarding
them. and the absurdity of the situa-
ton struck him. He felt an almost ir-
resistible inclination to giggle. like an
hysterical woman; then its pathos
came upon him. and his culpability.
How much steak did l send2" he
questioned. to gain time.
About ten pounds. should think"
Johns chin dropped. his mouth
opened. and he stared at her In amaze
ment. Then he remembered the ne
cessity for concealment, as long as
possible. and shut his mouth with
; snap. his jaw squaring with deter
mination to give fate the worst of this
encounter
And here's another couple of
, pounds brought home with me, In
case they forgot to send some of what
| ordered" he lied, cheerfully, his
brain working like mad. There ought
to be about-hm-ten to dinner, and
some more people afterwards"
Suddenly broad smile lighted his
face, and he said as he took her in
his arms for moment.
You're trump, Elsie, and might
ly clever little woman to guess what
| was going to do, and fix up all this.
Now, I've got to go out for ten min
., utes on very important matter that
can't wait. The folks will be along
sneak up and dress, but won't be
, late. Don't you worry"
/, But. John"
'I'll be right back" he shouted. and
, was off.
' Once out of the house, he held close
. to the fence for short distance. then
q broke into run which landed him at
; his neighbours door. and without the
\ formality Of knock. he burst in upon
O the man and his wife, as they were
|. sitting down to their dinner.
George" he cried. excitedly, i've
:, been a good friend to you; I've loaned
|. you my lawn mower and my hammer
t and my step-ladder. and once my
d hired girl when yours left In hurry
r and you were to have company. You
owe me something. don't you. old
: chap; doesn't he, Mrs. Crawford
z Well, want you to pay me. I want
{ you to pay all of your debts right now.
l want you to be two of the halt and
t the lame and the blind. Please don't
look 30 frightened, I'm perfectly sane
Q he laughed, as he sank into chair
il and explained the whole miserable
8 mistake to them.
y10 1.-THE poor dear child" said Mrs.
3 Crawford. alphabetically. as he fin
ished. frankly wiping the tears from
l. her eyes; "she shall have her party
d and shall never know the secret,
8 either"
s The three conspirators formed them
n selves into delegation. and In less
It than half hour, six pairs of married
,, folk had left the bosom Of their fami.
lies and their dinners, and. sworn to
,, secrecy. were vending their way to
!. dine at the Jamesons and help them
a to celebrate their first wedding ami
q versary.
t A hurry telephone call to a hall
dozen of Johns good city friends
brought merry party on an early
= train, and the evening passed delight
. fully. Mrs. Jameson, charming as q
n hostess. was radiant. and her secret
. Joy gave her an added vivacity that
was delightful.
I" Everyone stayed late. Happiness ID
contagious. and no one wanted to 90
= home. Finally, however. the last good
: wishes were said. the last handshakes
y | - T.xra.nnsa vspt ~xxSohtu q