Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-09-29

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 a moment on
his shoulder. Don't you see | know?
How could | help knowing? | began
10 think about it when you sent the
first lot of beefsteak, and | was so
pleased. dear, that you had remem-
bered the very first anniversary OF our
marriage. So many men forget. And
then when more kept coming, | knew
you must have invited good many
people. and SO | prepared for them.
But come and tell me If 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 a 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 a 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 gtggle, like an
hysterical woman; then its pathos
came upon him, and his culpability.
How much steak did / send?" 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 a
snap, his jaw squaring with a deter
mination to give fate the worst of this
encounter.
And here's another couple OF
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 ar .ls for a moment.
You're trump, Elsie, and might
| ly clever little woman to guess what
was going to do, and fix up all this
utes on a very important matter thai
can't wait. The folks will be along
right away, and when | come in II
sneak up and dress, but / won't be
late. Don't you worry"
But, John"
'1'll be right back" he shouted, anC
was off.
Once out of the house, he held close
to the fence for a short distance ther
broke into a run which landed him a
his neighbours door, and without the
formality of a knock, he burst in upor
the man and his wife, as they were
sitting down to their dinner.
George" he cried, excitedly, I'v'
been a good friend to YOU; I've loaned
you my lawn mower and my hammer
and my step-ladder, and once m!
hired girl when yours left in a hurr.
and you were to have company. You
owe me something, don't you, OLE
chap; doesn't he, Mrs. Crawford
Well, / want you to pay me. wan
you to pay all of your debts right now
| want you to be two OF the halt ant
the lame and the blind. Please don
look so frightened, I'm perfectly sane,
he laughed, as he sank into a chai
and explained the whole miserable
mistake to them.
1.-THE poor dear child" said Mrs
Crawford, alphabetically as he fin
ished, frankly wiping the tears from
her eyes; "she shall have her part.
and shall never know the secret
either"
The three conspirators formed them
selves into a delegation, and in les
than half hour, six pairs of married
folk had left the bosom of their fami
lies and their dinners. and. sworn t.
secrecy, were vending their way L
dine at the Jamesons and help then
to celebrate their first wedding ami
versary.
A hurry telephone call to a hal
dozen OF Johns good city friends
brought merry party on an earl!
train, and the evening passed delight
fully. Mrs. Jameson. charming as
hostess. was radiant, and her secre
10y gave her an added vivacity tina
was delightful.
Everyone stayed late. Happiness Il
contagious. and no one wanted to e
home. Finally, however, the last goo'
wishes were said. the last handshakes
on Mr.. Jameson's part a crushing
clasp OF thanks, exchanged, and thu
| o,,tar Joor cloeed for the night