Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-07-28
CHAPTER vII.-continued.

, d. i \
CHAPTER VIII Continued.
Miss Selma Lue." said Mr.. Alan.
his eyes dancing with delight, Il think
you asked me question first; l claim
first answer. dol do feel hungry
when look at her. feel that could
without provocation eat"
Miss Selma Lue," broke in Miss
Cynthia hastily, Il am really getting
alarmed; and though MI. Kent looks
cool and afternoon-tea-y-and grand,
begin to think he may be more fero-
cious than he looks. Lions are =
Run. run! Mr.. Alan, for that's the
car to catch Miss Evelyn on the
switch-she oughter be here now in
five minutes. Come on. Bonnie. and
git all the children, In line! Tell
everybody to come here to the grocery
steps and listen to the speech first
there's Mr.. Bradford now. MY.
my, Miss Cynthie, don't everybody
look fine? Mis- Kinney's pink cotton
Grape goes so nice with Mis- Dobbs'
purple, and II Mis- Tyne amt fixed up
to beat the band" Miss Selma Lue
met her guests at the foot Of the steps
and welcomed them with enthusiasm
Miss Cynthia helped do the honors
and shared in the general excitement
"Howdy everybody" said Miss Sc
lima Lue. I'VE sure make q fine show
She is going to snake hands right here
with us all and then 60, and see the
pictures before It gifts dark, and then
come the refreshments. Miss Cynthie.
you hadn't oughter hold Blossom, but
you jest will do 1t and muss your
dress. Now. Ethel Maud, hold Glenn
ME careful till her mother gifts here,
and will carry the twins as we 60
down to meet her. I feel like the ba-
bies oughter see It allyo cant be-
gin on manners fer entertainments
too young"
And 30 the honored guest found
them, an exotic,colored aggregation OF
papitating excitement in gala attire
and more gala humor. It often hap
pens in the world that the coin Of hu-
man intercourse stamped entertain.
ment does not buy for tenderer or bar
terer much In the way OF real pleas
ure, but on the Bluff 1t was otherwise.
Joy, real, effervescent, sparkling joy
filled every cup to the brim and ran
over.
The Bluff took Miss Evelyn to its
arms and caressed and admired and
jubilated over her to its hearts con-
tent. She was greeted In fowery
phrases by Mr.. 81 Bradford, whose
oratorical acrobatic feats were as as
tonishing as the triple handsprings
that Bonnie Dobbs turned IN her path
at every possible opportunity. It was
well that her fund OF enthusiasm was
adequate to supply long drafts. Miss
Cynthia stood by and watched her
with awcd pride and delight. She
enthused over young Jim Peters In
stiff and uncomfortable attire, and his
rosy, blushing young mother in soft
blue muslin. She adnliRed all six
Iyneses and was especially interested
In Ethel Maud's little barked nose.
She expressed starvation at the aroma
OF Mrs. Kinney's pies and listened
with rapt attention to Lucia recite
choice piece In nine verses, nor did
she fail to handle the heirloom teapot
with becoming reverence when 1t was
transported into her presence wrapped
In an old flannel petticoat.
My, nny!" said Miss Selma Lue IN
an aside to Mr.. Alan, who had taken
his stand BY her at the grocery door
Just one step below that on which
stood Miss Cynthia with Blossom in
her arms. "Ain't they having q good
time? do hate to break It up by
asking her to look at pictures, but Mr..
Leeks y a-going to play her q tune on
his meggyphone. and as soon as it's
over am going TO send her right up.
g the barn and keep the crowd down,
mere to help mo set out the refresh
ments. S'posen. Miss .Cynthie. you
run on up there now 90 a. to be there
when Mr.. Alan gifts her up, I am
sorry you won't let me take Blossom
away from you. though I know II !
w there will be . hollerins. and It do,
seem 9 pit. % mix any tears IN this
party. At the mention Of her name
Blossom gurgled and chung to Miss
CYNTHIA g II she understood that the
suggestion OF her possible dislodgment
was being negated strenuously by the
hdy pf her adorations. II
Y. Well. Mr.. Alan, you'd better 60
long with 'em and hand her up tho
ladder to Miss Cynthie. Then hurry
back 90 you will be here when the
piece y finished. Now he's tuning
up!" " 4;
And obedient to instructions and the
exlgencies II the case, Mr.. Alan did
nurry--cnly one minute was long.
MISS Cynthia knelt on the loft floor
ana reached down for the Blossom he
neld to her from the ladder and her
lace was the hue Of the roses and her
Eyes We're twin stars -and tender. AE
moment she held the rapturous baby
g her breast and smiled down at him
over the golden head and as Mr.
A Z. ran for the grocery to the last
Trains OF Won't You Come Home,
Dlll Bailey7" g executed BY MI.