El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-18
The HeraId's
Daily Shsrt Stery
Mr.. Gustaway's Straw
"a ga
UaeA sEsSSa~


But dear aunt Jessica," began Ly-
nette. when the ever voluble Miss Weir
interrupted her
Don't harrow yourself by giving me
details. dearieI" she cried, once more
clasping Mrs. Lessey in taffeta en-
brace. Directly 1 drove past 1 knew,
and then all my resentment faded
away. My poor child! I'm not going
to stop now, because 1 want to order
fruit and wine and turtle soup sent at
once! Oh. my dear, I have missed
you. (By the by, why don't you muf-
file the knocker as well?O I'm can
tankerous old woman! Forgive me"
And with another expansive kiss.
aunt Jessica hurried out of the room
and into the tiny dark hall, while in
a condition Of dazed establishment Ly-
nette opened the front door and then
well, then, she partially understood.
The road exactly opposite her house
and extending all along the side en-
trance was covered with straw, laid
down as in class of serious illness.
This. then. explained Aunt Jessica's
melting mood! She had seen this evil
dence Of sickness. and had Immediately
buried all her resentment
Haltingly. Lynette tried 70 commence
an uncertain explanation. but, before
she could achieve connected sentence,
Miss Weir had stepped into her motor
and was whizzed off in the direction
of the shops.
Jack. Jack. come here," cried Ly
nette weakly, as she went back into
the hall and closed the door.
Jack came here, and then. using a
great many more words than were
ecessary-according to the habit Of
emotional women-his wife explained
what had happened.
But who the-atishui atishu. he be-
gan, when Maud made a second SEN
sational appearance.
Please. MN" she began. Mr.. Gust
away-you know, the gent what
master calls blackguard- up-in-the-
air-him as lives in the Crescent, and
always thinks he took bad-'e's sent
his complime nts to say as he's so sorry
that the man made mistake and put
down the straw in front Of our 'oase
instead Of is, but there was muddle
between 10, Leaphill Crescent, and 10,
Leaphill Road, and the straw people
took it to the wrong placei z says 1t
shall be all took up again. and 'e's
very anxious tofave it 'imself to see
If it'll do is nerves any good not to
ear the sound of carts and things
passing along"
When Maud had withdra wn, Mr.. and
Mrs. Lessey faced each other
Well. anyhow, our ina ginary illness
friend has done US a good turn" began
Jack, when a look in his wife's clear
blue eyes silenced him.
You'd better go round. dear. to
Aunt Jessica and expIain-at once,"
said Mrs. Lessey quietly.
Jack did not reply except by taking
down his soft felt hat from the dusty
peg.
Then Lynette raised herself on tip
toe and kissed him.
'1- expect she'll have you shown the
door, now that you aren't ill. but it
can't be helped. Goodbye, dearest"
she murmured.
Half an hour later, there came a
liveried messenger fom the big house.
who brought a pencilled note address
ed to Mrs. Lessey.
The note ran as follows:
II you want your husband you must
come and fetch him, as he IS going to
stay for tea. 1 want you both to meet
Sir Jasper King. who will be in pres
ently-he is anxious to have his wife's
portrait painted, and doesn't mind the
price. You are tw,, honorable,
straightforward young things, and I
am disagreeable, touchy old woman,
who would never have seen the error
OF her ways except for the lucky ac-
cident Of Mr.. Gustaways straw I
intend to make his acquaintance and
give him box of Hempseed Nervo
Tabloids- Put on your prettiest hat
and come round at once O've finish
ed with the Chauffeurs Relief Fund
forever)"
Your loving"
Aunt Jessica."