Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-30
EVENING STORY.
AN EIOPING LUNCHEON.
BY Temple Bailey.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)

#
airy Press.)
Il simply must tell somebody" SAT-
: Anne.
The old barn was quiet place TO
condolences. In her little girl day.
Anne had often run across the roat
to tell her troubles to her boy neigh
Dor.
Justin always helped her out HI
helped her now. Tell me all about
it." he said in his brisk way.
I tits Barbara" Anne's face was
troubled; "she tries so hard to put
on stlye."
Justin laughed. whats the lat
est?"
"She wanted to give luncheon tc
1 the people we met last winter when
we spent a week at Uncle Johns
There's one young man who was des
perately fond of Babs, and he and
his sister are coming up, and Babs
is worried for fear we won't know
how to do the proper thing" j.
! Justin whistled. 81 can't imagine
things not being done properly at
thing in hostesses."
| e.. VI COul DC ouc 10, od1u f1AAC, OuI
Babs says We aren't up to date.
And when mother suggested that, as
they were coming at noon, we'd bet
ter give them a country dinner, Babs
| insisted that we have a luncheon in
courses, with the room darkened, and
candles!"
"She didn't"
eyes, she did, and that isn't the
worst Of it. Mothers feelings are
hurt She feels that Babs thinks she
is old-fashioned and doesn't fit in
with the red candle shades and the
grapefruit salad"
Don't you worry" Justin con-
soled her: "Babs doesn't really mean
anything"
Eyes, know" Anne agreed, she's
the dearest thing, Justin, but she'll
make a big mistake if she tries to
put on before the Osbournes. Mary
Osbourne is as simple and sensible as
possible, and so is Louis, and If he's
really in love with Babs, he'll care
twice as much for her when he sees
her with all of us in a pleasant, in
formal way" . s..
AS they walked to the door to-
gether, Justin looked down at little
Anne. Il wish could help you out"
he said.
She shook her head. "You can't"
she answered. "Babs has made up
her mind, and all the things she had
bought are on the shelf in the pan
try.And I know that luncheon is
going to be failure, Justin Imagine
giving city people Holsters Newberg
when you could offer them one of
mothers chicken pies!'
That's right" said Justin. Did
you say those things were on the
pantry shelf"
Eyes. Why?"
Justin's glance swept toward the
square white house opposite and to
the big apple tree that overhung the
pantry window.
Look here, Anne" he said. sud-
denly, don't you worry. Things
will come out all right"
"They can't" dejectedly
"You take my word for it," he said.
you would always take my
word for things, Anne"
"Why, do said Anne.
Il haven't been able yet said
Justin, "to convince you that I really
mean it when say love you"
ooh, that's different" said the
blushing Anne. |
She was somewhat surprised when
Justin came over that night to find
that his visit had to do chiefly with
her mother.
Barbara wanted you to help with
the place cards." she said.
Justin's eyes twinkled. Your
mother and l." he said, have been
discussing in the kitchen matter OF
grave Importance
Anne blushed, then felt little
hurt as he went away without his
usual talk with her
And out in the kitchen Mrs. Bach
elor was busting around in sudden
furry. Hannah" she said to the
maid 81 want you to kill three
chickens and build up the fire. l am
going to bake cocoanut cake after
the girls go to bed" .
Anne and Babs slept on the third
floor. Their room overlooked the
apple tree. At midnight Anne was
walked by Barbara's whisper, Listen,
Anne"
Anne sat up in bed, and in the
shaoowy moonlight she saw a dark
figure creep out from under the apple
tree, fit down the path and disap-
pear in the darkness. -.-.
cts a burglar" cried Babs, ex-
citedly, "but believe We have fright
ened hin; away" ~.
The next morning when they told
of the intruder at the breakfast table,
Mrs. Bachelor ate her meal In placid
silence. .--.. ...
Immediately after breakfast Bar
bara went to the pantry. -.
"Why-what-?" she stammered;
where did you put my things,
mother?"
II haven't touched them Mrs.
Bachelor asserted ..a- 49,
"Then they were stolen" said Bar
bara. after a frantic search. 1T was
a tramp, Anne, after ALL"
Annes practical mind at once faced
the problem. "The Osbornes will be
here in two hours" she said, and
what are we going to give them"
i Mrs. Bachelor came to the rescue,
srvo,, 1oavo that tn me"