Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1912-09-20
Our Sane
Fourth
And What Came
Of 1t
By AGNES BROGAN

oeo@o%oeo0oSooe
My brothers wife looked up from the
paper she had been reading.
There will be- no fireworks at our
house this year" she said firmly. Il
shall see that Dot and Bobbie at least
are withheld from the general sacri.
fee"
what are We going to Co." Jim
questioned ueekly-"play cherkersT"
This iB my plan. and ! know Nan
will think II a good one. Upon the
eventful day we will take a nice big
lunch and 20 to some lonely. wOodsy
place along the lake shore. In the
evening we will build a Dire on the
beach and roaEt corn and things. com.
ing home later IN the moonlight"
Jim's race frightened visibly. Sounds
pretty good" be said. who's to be
Mans attendant cavalier upon this &C
easIOnT'
Mollle cast a troubled glance In my
direction.
THAT IL for Nan to say" she re-
spOnded. "a month ago l should have
asked Allison without even consulting
her. for we all supposed that affairs
we're settled between those two. but
since be has ceased calling and Nan
avoids him In every possible manner"
Affairs had been settled between
Allison and me. but how could I tell
her that our bitter quarrel had sprung
from the very fact that l had insisted
upon keeping Our engagement secretG
II vas all * new and wonderful. this
great happiness which had come into
my life. that I longed to keep Il jealous
y for q little time. but men do not
understand. When Allison found that
pleadinRs were useless he turned from
me Indignantly.
Il can see no reason for concealment,
Man." he had said. when you are
pleased to recognize our engagement
o will send for me-"
Send for him indeed! Why, my heart
could break In little bits before | would
do q thing like that.
"weIl. NanT" Mollie spoke impa-
tiently.
ave might ask Mr.. Armstrong" 4
suggested cOoIly, ''or Jack Meads. Ei.
Their would be glad to come" MIR
Armstrong called as ! sat on the
veranda that afternoon. When I told
him or Our Fourth OF July plans his
face lit up with pleasure
"Jove." ne said deIlghtedly. that
will be great! Won't you let me ROM
along. Miss Harmon? could lake
you all out there In my car" This was
just what I had expected. so when my
brother anne home nc night ! told MIN
Of the arrangement. Jim whistied.
IL asked Jack Meads to go. he said
"and he did not Ose any time accept
ing the invitation. What are you going
10 do about itT'
MOllie anne to the rescue. "Never
mind" she said cheerfully. II will ask
my sister Nell to join the party. and
you young people can all enjoy your
selves together"
/ tried TO look pleased. but ever II
Nell In MOllie's sister / must say
Well. I was busily engaged mixing
Z cake preparatory to the great event
when Jim approached me on the fol
lowing morning.
Man." he began apolOgetically. 81
happened 10 mention this picnic OF
ours to Allison today. and he grew
quite enthusiastic-hlnted openly tot
an Invitation. In fact YOu viii n u
mind II he comes In his runabOut. viii
your He says Armstrong; ear viii.
carry only seven comfortably. and n
might help out By taking one OF IL
along"
I looked straight into Jim's eyes. -
shall ride on the front seat Of MIR
Armstrong; car" I said meaningly
We had intended to make an early
start. but Il was after lunchtime wheu
the big red auto. followed by tue
white %runabOut. rolled down the beau
ufuI lake shore drive. leaving the deaf
entng nOise OF shot and shell far be
hind.
1--WE will not stop at any OF the pic
mic places" Mollle said. 1--WE will ride
on until we come to Some pretty iso
lated spot"
But this time MOllie "~reckoned with
out her automobile" for the n
stopped suddenly OF its cCOrd
just In sight OF one Of the despised
picnic places. and we were all unload
ed unceremoniOusIy, while MIR. Arm
strong dived under the machine. to re.
appear presently flushed and dishev
He'd.
"Can help your Allison called. but
70 me it seconded IKE a half hearted
OReF. ana ! was not surprised at MIR
Armstrong; curt refusal.
IAN right" Allison responded. I'VE
will ride no the road In search Of an
ideal resting place. Let you know
when we nnd IL"
Mr. Armstrong threw Oh his coat aud
went to work with n will. Jim acting
as assistant Why Is Il that the incest
men urn savage when a spark plug or
some other queer thing about an auto
mobile goes wrOngr
"Do you think you can mend ttT' |
asked sweetly. and this man. who 4
short dine since would ave done any
thing TO gSin my favor. now giared
at me.
~When I al locate the trouble !
"A -