The Calumet news., 1911-08-07

supper In these things" suggested
Austin hastily. "Don't be homesicl
Dorothy; please don't, or / shall be
tempted TO weep on your shoulder and
throw up the chicken business alto.
gether."
Dorothy paused before him, looking
very lovely in her ancient garb. her
sweet eyes serious and thoughtful.
"Austin Ely, tell me truthfully, did
you want TO go into the chicken busi-
ness or are you merely doing it to pro-
vido home for meY
Austin walked. over and kissed her
face. It'll confess TO a weakness for
the city," he admitted sheepishly. "I
wasn't cut out for farmer, Dorothy.
although do love TO be with you all
day long here in the country. There is
something about the life and hustle of
the city that calls me. wish we
might keep this for a country home
and live as we always have done, In
town during the winter"
"Some day we will" encouraged
Dorothy. with her sweet smile. "Leti
us go downstairs"
All at once the great knocker on tho
front door was lifted three times and
resoundlng racket echoed through
the sparsely furnished house.
"Who can that beT' gasped Dor
othy as she drew near her husband.
"Some neighbor." he assured her as
he led the way down 10 the lower
floor. While Dorothy lighted the bay.
berry candles and set the table for
supper Austin went to the door and
flung 1t open.
There at the curb throbbed and pull
sated a monster touring car. In it
were three shadowy forms. while a
fourth stood on the doorstep.
"Ho-the innw called the man on
the doorstep Justify. "Let us I'm, good
people. and show us what you can do
by way Of entertainment"
"This is not an inn," said Austin
brusquely. "You VIII find n very good
one at the end OF this street"
"Nay. It's not so,' corrected the
other. "Manys the time I have safe
hero In the bar of the Blue Boar and
slipped my glass o. toddy. Come in.
boys; landlord says all are welcome
and that be will broll chickens for us.
Make haste. my man."
Austin planted his feet firmly I'm the
doorway. Its cold night and you
are welcome TO como In and have
bite to eat. but there won't be any
thing to drink unless can find some
appleiack."
The four entered with noisy hilarity,
and It was plain TO be seen that they
were all in n state of semi-intoxica-
ton. They were well dressed men. and
their faces were not unpleasing.
though more than one of them showed
signs Of dissipation.
With the impression that the sooner
he served these unwelcome guests the
earlier he would be rid of their doubt
ful companionship. Austin beckoned
Dorothy into the kitchen and together
they concocted a tray full Of refresh
ments that were mostly got from the
provision box. a large piece OF cheese,
a large loaf of Vienna bread, but
ter. cold boiled ham and n pitcher
OF applejack completed n repast that
brought forth a cheer from the group
gathered before the dining room fire.
Suddenly they looked at Austin in
his festal garments of drab velvet and
cherry satin. with gray silk hose and
bucllled shoes. and at Dorothy peeping
around the door gorgeous in blue bro
cade. With one accord they arose and
touched their glasses.
ITS George Washington and Mis-,
trcss Martha" gasped the spokesman.
"Your healths and long-long-er, you
knoww
With bulging eyes tho four drank
the toast, while Austin and Dorothy
laughed until they cried. At last they
TO the dining room, where
curious sight met their gaze.
Standing in the middle Of the round
table, the spokesman of the
party was calling for bids for its pur-
chase "As pretty a-bit-of colonial
ever your eyes lighted
Dn-gentlemen. Who will start the
bidding on this table, the property of
the immortal George-you, Freddy?
W nav hAi lOi tlllS
Zone dollar" said Freddy feebly.
Pooh! Who will give me more to
cover this insult? Cecil, you bloated
bondholder, beat SC up!"
Cecil solemnly entered his bid of
hundred dollars, and as If they had
been waiting for this amount, the four
proceeded TO raise the value Of the ma
hogany table by hundreds until it was
knocked down TO the languid Freddy
Tor $1,000. From a plethoric roll he
peeled off the amount and tossed II TO
he table, and then, forgetting the in
'ident. he led a solemn procession from
he house and into the waiting auto
mobile.
Dorothy and her husband stared at
each other across the mahogany table,
'Oh, Austln-what does il mean?
Were they drunk?" she asked.
"As lords" said Austin feelingly.
Tomorrow morning they will awake
without the slightest recollection of
what they have done tonight. I've got
NY work cut out for me to try to
race up that Freddy chap and give
lin back his money or the table. If 1
ArRd