The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-05
AN ELOPING LUNCHEON

"Why-what-?" she stamnered:
where did you put my things.
| mother?"
Then they are stoien." said Bar
bara. after q frantic search 1t was
| = tramp. Anne, after all"
Annes practical mind at once f2ceo
the problem. "The Osbournss will b
here In two hours" she SAID. and
what are We going to give them?"
Mrs. Bachelor came to the rescue
| beaming. ~ ou leave that to me-"
she said. Il will do my best with .
chicken pie"
| Barbara sighed. well. hope,
she announced disconsolately. IT
will rain"
But It did not rain, and when the
Oshournes arrived the air was sweet
with the perfume OF liiacs, and the
| two girls waiting on the porch made
| q pretty picture In their white gowns.
what q glorious place." Louis
| Osborne exclaimed. Il didn't dream.
Babs. that l should ind you framed
| in such a perfect colonial doorway"
DO you really like IT." Babs ask
| ed. doubtfully.
Its the most satisfying sight I
| have seen for many a day." said
Louis, but don't let US talk about
/ doorways. It's you l want TO talk
| about. BabS"
AS they went into the big dining
room. Babs gave little gasp OF sur.
I prise. She had not known that her
mother could make 1t 30 pretty. with
its great silver bowl OF daffodils. and
the gold banded china.
| When the chicken pie was served.
Mary Osbourne clapped her handA
| Mrs. Bachelor" she said. III there -
| anything in tho world that Louis and
l adore, 1t Ia chicken pie"
| Barbara felt AZ II the walls were
tumbung about her. To think that
Mary Osbourne. fastidious Mary Os-
bourne. should go into scstastss over
chicken pie!
| TO go with such a feast came .
salad OF crisp white lettuce from the
peaches. Dutch cheeses. all Of the
1 wonderful products Of garden aud
pantry and dairy. and to top or
strawberries and cream and the COCOA
| nut cake.
In a quiet spot that afternoon Louis
told how he appreciated their gener-
Gus hospitality. And your mother
has such an air. of diatinctipn. ! hope
you are going to let her be my mother
| That night the happy Babs maze
eamends. You did know best, mother"
she said. "Oh. am 30 glad my OLD
things were carried or"
Next morning Justin came over ana
invited the girls to lunch. Tt win b.
| . picnic affair."" he said, served on
the log by the spring."
TT seems o funny thing for Justin
| to ask U.S." Babs said, AZ the two girlo
went down the hill. but In Anne's
mind suspicion was forming, dna
when they came in sight Of : nat
rock where Justin had spread the
lunch. she cried. II knew it,"
| For there on the rock. banked BY
| a bottle Of salad dressing and four
| grapefruit were the cans Of lobster,
the candles. the various knicknaclo
that Barbara had bought In the city.
| And there by the spring Justin
made his apology and explana ton.
II told your mother was going to DO
It," he said. ''and she agreed. ana
now II you will forgive me va win
| proceed to eat up the party"
! And Babs. out Of her happiness. had
| only smiles for him. and at the end
| of the hilarious feast she told shyiy
| Of her engagement 70 Louis Osbourne.
"You don't mean It." Justin cried,
'now Anne
And Anne blushing. said, you're
| not the only one. Babs."
''You mean? said the astonishea
BarAbara.
| .That am going TO marry Justin
said little Anne.