Mexico Missouri message., 1910-06-16

ram Ior TWO days, she retOrted.
And the lawn fete comes OF day
after tomorrow Say Lou-whatever
did set you women goin' such a crazy
tazy gait? Plain English and plain
eating are good enough for plain
folks"
You'll always be plain folks II you
never try to be anything else, Louis.
ana said, loftily, her chin high.
Her mother smiled, a gentle wor-
ried smile. II wish there was build
ing handy" she said. "Of course,
know the old weather sign-and the
Barber lawn is an ideal place. But
since all the buildings burned, you
can't shelter anywhere, II, by Ill luck.
there come up a shower"
Treason, Mamsyl High treason!"
Louisiana cried, running to pat her
mothers cheek. Our fete's going to
be splendid-just like book. Oh, you
don't know how fine 1t will look, with
the flags, and rugs and cushions scat
tered all through the green. The shrubs
are in full fower-snowballs syringa,
lilac, and everything; the early yell
low roses will be out likewise, and
the grass!-you never saw anything
so rich and green-velvety as 1t is since
the boys moved 1t yesterday"
We'll! You don't get my blanket
that's sure as shooting" Billy said, sol.
emnly, but with twinkling eyes.
Louisiana made a face at him-she
knew how to take Billy. He disap-
proved all she did upon general prin.
ciples-and worked like Trojan to
make whatever she undertook a howl
ing success.
Spring had come late that year, but
with rush at the last. Late May was
as warm as midsummer, SO everything
promised more than fairly. Her whole
heart was in the feast-she and her
chum Grace Watson had melted 1t,
planned It, and carried It through by
sheer force of will. 1t had an object,
OF course-help for the Orphans
home. Tickets had sold like the pro
verbal hot cakes.
Five hundred tickets sold. Think
of it," Louisiana ran on. You know
there isn't a place in town to hold
half that number--except, of course,
the churches-which are out of the
question. All the folks may not come
but we have their money safe, SO
must have room for them. Pray for
fine day, Mamsy-that's all we
need"
Next day was fine--too fine, indeed,
the humid, hot and forcing day that
farm folk call a weather breeder.
Louisiana went out into it smiling to
watch the skies. She came home a
little later, chilled and dropping, her
roses fed, her eyes troubled, though
she tried hard to look as usual. Her
mother wisely asked no questions
she had never forced her daughters
condolences. Billy coming In three
hours later carelessly gave her the
cue.
20 Lou! Jack Ramsom's home and
got the dandiest girl with him." he
called to his sister up the stairs. His
cousin, you know-he had her out dri-
Ving-that's how saw them. He ac-
tually stopped and introduced me.
Maybe he wanted me to break the
news to mother. She's a locker, all
right-and talks! Myl Her voice is
like bird. You just as well put up
the shutters, honey-sure's I'm your
big buddy, your cakes all dough-"
1T can't be. ! never had any Ran
som cake" Louisiana called back,
CALAMITY. Her voice was even, but the
mother ear caught the strained note
in it.
Billy had plunged into the pantry
and stood with his hands behind him
contemplating the good things in wait
on it's shelves.
"Lordyl" he murmured, "to think
of folks that amt hungry eating such
things. / call 1t tragedy. But won't
/ come in on the fragments!"
Eleven o'clock was the hour for as
sembly; at 10 the breakfast was to be-
gin. People came In shoals despite
a lowery sky with fitful sunshine
breaking through the clouds. The
women were as gay and springlike as
the shrubs, the children likewise ruff
fed It in white and ribbons. Even
the soberest among the men had flow.
ers in the buttonhole. Altogether. the
throng was in holiday mood, no less
than holiday attire.
Louisiana, in pale blue, had never
looked more beautiful. Grace, In pale
pink, made charming pompadour CON
trast. The other girls wore white.
They fitted, spritelike, about the
grounds, welcoming, marshaling, talk.
ing gayly to everybody. Eunice Ran
som. in scarlet silk, looked at them
with scowl that marred her beauty,
and said petulantly to her aunt:
Why, | thought this was to be a
real function"
1T is--for us, dear" gentle Mrs.
Ransom answered.
Jack had rushed away the minute
they were safely seated on the softest
cushion to be found.
IF only we get them fed. now they
are here Grace murmured to her