The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-06-17
Surprise!
1t Resulted In
Another One
By cLARIssA MAcKIE

OossssesssssSeeeseeosoeose
A succession of darkly wrapped
forms scudded up the snowy path to
Mrs Peter Weldrakes side door and
disappeared within brief glimpse of
rudy lighted room Each time the
door opened to admit another arrival
there were much laughter and noisy
conversation before the door became
a dark blank again.
Everybody heref" demanded Mrs
Weldrake, emerging from her kitchen
large, beetle browed and commanding
OF aspect. She was dressed In a stifr
black taffeta silk skirt of generous
width and a white lawn waist She
wore large white apron, and as she
came into the sitting room there how
cred about her defined odor of fresh
ly made coffee and recently fried
doughnuts.
Everybody hereT she repeated, re-
viewing the chattering groups Of won
en- and the awkward men lowering
about the door.
"All except Althea Laden and her
mother" spoke up young girl "They
oughter been here by this time. | saw
them drive away from their house
long before we left
There was an embarrassed silence
before Mrs. Weldrake answered: well.
we needn't wait for Althea Laden and
her mother. They amt coming" She
vanished into the kitchen.
Not comingP asked the girl who
had spoken before
''They wasn't asked" whispered a
woman guardedly.
mot asked?" echoed the girl
'Tisn't likely. is It'll" giggled wo-
man with nod Of her head toward
the kitchen door. and the girl. glancine
at Mrs. Weldrakes daughter, Stella.
nodded Understandings.
"Althea Laden wasn't asked, to the
minister's surprise" The words ran
around in low murmured disapproyal
for Althea and her mother were village
favorites. and the invariable "WhyY
and its answer followed. All of the
women already knew that the Ladens
had not been invited. but under the
stern injunction of Mrs. Weldrake
none had dared to break the seal of Sc
crecy imposed upon the especially in
vited, for this surprise on the bachelor
minister of Thornville had found its in
ception In the brain of matchmaking
Mrs. Weldrake, and Althea Laden was
not to be invited. Fat, good natured
Stella Weldrake and pretty Althea La
den had always been warm friends
and according to Stella's discriminat-
ing parent that stout. amiable damsel
was quite outrivaled by Althea's more
delicate charms; hence this surprise
party, from which the Ladens were
omitted and where Stelsa was expected
to shine undimmed and perchance cap
ture the minister's unsuspecting heart
TITS 8 O'Clock" announced Mrs Wei
drake, bustling into the sitting room
arrayed in warm shawls and with a
knitted ''fascinator'' over her iron gray
hair. Il guess we better be going. |
see lamp lighted in Mr.. Whitney's
study" She lifted window curtain
and peered across the snowy fields to-
ward the parsonage. He don't sus-
pect thing"
And. so far as ! know, nobody else
outside this room knows about the sur
prise" added Mrs. Dora Hatch trium-
phantly as the party Tooped forth.
each one bearing burdens of toothsome
viands. Big Peter Weldrake brought
up the rear with steaming can of cof-
fee.
The surprise party creaked across
the snow with much smothered laugh
ter mingled with Difference as they ap-
preached the parsonage from the path
across the fields.
A green shaded lamp beamed from
the study window, but there was no
sign Of the minister's dark. we'll shaped
head outlined against the bookcases.
Hes stepped out minute" breath
ed Mrs. Weldrake hoarsely. Most
dkely's he's locking the door after Jen-
ME Plumb. That's why l waited till 9
o'clock. after she'd got the dishes done.
She's mortal slow
LHSlO sue SOeS now.
The group stood huddled by the back
porch watching the bulky form of the
black woman who came in by the day
to do" the minister's housework
When Jennie Plumb had tramped out
Of sight the surprise party tiptoed care
fully around the path to the front door.
Mrs. Weldrake leading and her hus-
band bringing up the rear.
A dim light burned in the hall. but
save for green glimmer from the
study beyond the parIors were quite
dark Mrs. Weldrake rang the bell
once, twice, three times. without re
sponse
Il guess Mr.. Whitney amt to home. .
whispered doubtful voice.
That's all the better" snapped back
Mrs. Weldrake, trying the doorknob
This doors unlocked. and we can go
right in and give him the surprise Of
his life
The women heaped their wraps in
the hall In the manner of those who
were accustomed to the business of
surprising unsuspecting persons in
their homes and bore their bundles
of refreshments Htchenward, their
mouths rounded to shout "Surpriser'
at the hapless minister If he should
prove to be In the house after all and
should come upon them unexpectedly
The men. feeling some conjunction
at this invasion. hung awkwardIy