Middletown transcript., 1910-07-02

/ piano ana on Gne baOle IN bne nall
! were bowls of carnations. A new
picture hung at the stair landing.
Everything was ready. Katie at
that moment, in the kitchen, was
whipping the cream for the
delectable dessert.
The mother stood by the win
dow, watching and listening
eagerly for the first sound of
arrival. She had arrayed herself
in her best white wool gown, with
pipings of pink velvet, worn over
her very best pink slip. Her
cheeks were pink with excite.
ment, and in the coils of her soft
brown hair was tucked a pink
geranium. She ran from the
window to rearrange a flower
that dropped too far, and missed
the sight of their approach up
the street; but at the sound of
feet on the porch, she was at the
door, the light streaming out
over her lovely flushed face and
eager, outstretched arms.
For a few moments little was
said, and the father made great
pretense Of kicking off his rub
bers. Then the daughter ex-
tricated herself and looked
around.
She was a perfectly healthy,
fresh, nice-looking girl of about
nineteen, with clear, gray eyes,
a rather round face and a pretty
color. People said that, a few
changes in her hair and a slight
Tightening of the lips, she might
resemble strongly her mothers
mother, Grandmother Bell.
My, but aren't you all ablaze
here! she said, cheerily. And
fowers-why Mother Drake,
how extravagant
The mothers face grew sober
a trife.
Shall I go right up, mother9 /
want to get into something com.
Portable.
Yes, dear. Father will carry
your bag,
The father and mother ex-
changed very knowing glance.
The daughter started for the
stairs, and they eagerly, trying
to appear unobtrusive and above
suspicion followed. At the first
fight he put down the bag, and
they finished the last fight at
gallop, close at the heels of the
daughter.
Hand in hand, with pleased,
expectant smiles, they stood in
the doorway, peering in as the
daughter entered. The fireplace,
where a small log was cheerily
burning, sent out a soft glow,
aided by the candles on the dress
ing-table. The dull frames of
the pictures sparkled bravely in
places. One chair3 was drawn
comfortably to the fireplace,
while another stood invitingly
near. Flowers were on the
table, and the bed showed snowy
and tempting, with its fittings
beautif ully embroidered with the
monogram of the daughter.
They watched her stand, am
azed, and look slowly around the
room. Turning suddenly, she
saw them there in the doorway.
How swfully nice! she said, af-
ter a silence that was breathless
on the partof those without.
Why, what made you do it? l
am afraid you'll get all tired out, !
Seems to me you don't look quite
as we'll as usual tonight, scan
ming reprovingly the face Of the
one standing in the doorway,
whose pretty color had almost
entirely disappeared.
It is very nice, ! am sure, she
continued, going Up to the fire
to investigate that. You're a |
great person for surprises, moth |
er. New paper, although II
really think I like the old paper
better, had it so long, dad, and |
new curtains, and | see you have |
the same old bureau. But where
on earth did you get the bed?
There was a pause, when the
mother tried bravely several |
times 10 say something. AT last |
murmuring an incoherent re-
mark about dinner, she turned
and fed.
The father found her at one |
corner of the library sofa, star
ing straight ahead and with one
hand tightly clenched over a ball
of a handkerchief. He smiled
whimsically.
How about it? he asked. Do
you think you are going to cry?
She shook her head mutely. |
Then each, seeing the anxious
face of the other, suddenly began
10 laugh, to laugh long and
heartily at the whole situation.
Anyway; you are better off
than | am, he said, finally. She
spoke of the bed, but she didn't
say anything about the fireplace.
And he put his hands rehectiyeIy
deep into his pockets.
The mother only laughed hut