Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-09-05
MARGARET'S PLAN
Desired Impression" Was Made,
Though Not in the Way J
She Intended.

SNV bbtN~suSSSs 4 80
II have Just received . letter from
Mr.. Parker" Margaret announced 70
her sister. He IL coming to Ashton
for week. I suppose he wants rest
and quiet" 49,.
REST and quiet and, most Of all!
you, shy little Peggy sister. On, I'm
getting excited already. He Ia 80 Dig
and handsome. Now, aren't you glad
you listened to US and went to Cousin
Helen's city home last winter?
never had chance to get out to meet
people. We shall have to invite him
to dinner some day. don't you think
SO. dear?" r..
That's what In troubling me, Dora.
I feel that we should, but could he
make allowance for our manner Oh
living? II only mother dear would
let me get Susan Long to come, so
that she could play lady for once I'D
her life. You know Mr.. Parker comes
from the south, and he, OF course, -
not accustomed to the women OF hls
family doing homework. ! believe
mother would consent to having gu
san, but father-well. you know ne
would say that it's all nonsense; thae
people must take us as we are. and
all that. Dear old daddy's q Jewel, his
heart is as big an the whole world;
but you know how 1t Is, Dora; he has
terribly old-fashioned ideas about
things, and he has never had tho ad
vantage Of an education, as we have.
Oh, Dora. II he were to pour his cor
fee into the saucer when Mr.. Parker
is here, think should collapse" -
Peggy, child, I've an idea. Listen.
Why not write Mr.. Parker to post
pone his visit until week after next;
then father will be away on business
the greater part Of the week. and we
could coax mother to let Susan come,
She could bring her Ida along for
dining room girl, and we'd have
dandy four-course dinner for his hon
or, John Andrew Parker. know just
how it Is, dear. You. Of course,
want Mr.. Parker to meet all the fam
lily, but not just yet. I'm as anxious
as you are to make a good impress
sion, because, sister mine, want you
to be happy, and, confidentially, ]
think John Parker Is the man. ,,
You're 1 darling. Dora. Now let
me see, we simply must have new
napkins; 1t will keep us hustling to
get them hemmed. And mother
should have that lavender lawn made
up: she would look angelic In be-
coming dress. She's prettier In cali
co, anyway, than we are in silk, bless
her dear heart. I wish we could get
the front porch painted this week.
We do have a honey, comfortable
place, but, dear knows. 1t Is not mod
ern. l wonder who got of the car.
Why. he's coming right up to our
gate. Dora. it's John Parker, az sure
as / live! And mothers on the side
porch Smelling peas; he's going right
there! Dora, call her In! There
comes father around the house In his
work clothes! Oh! Dora, call to
them! l must Dress" vi-.'.
II positively cannot. Marguerite
Horton, I've been sitting around all
morning In this old dressing sacQue. I
When Dora and Margaret, daintily
clad, appeared, they found their faith
er, mother and Mr.. Parker laughing
and talking like old friends.
II recognized your parents from the
photograph you showed me, the mo
ment saw them. Miss Margaret, and
we have introduced ourselves. Your
| Ank1 7 h0py
trees and birds-and your mother
has been giving me some information
as to gardening. You know it is quite
a tad of mine. She has been good
enough to invite me to stay to dinner
"a dinner which she promises to pre-
pare herself. I feel highly honored-'
I'VE shall be glad to have you stay,
I'm sure" murmured Margaret; her
face paled as a vision Of pork chops,
peas and potatoes and crumb pie
foated before her.
Late that evening Margaret and
John Parker were sitting upon the
moonlit front porch. The long silence
was broken by tense voice.
Margaret, I have always admired
you. You seemed, somehow, different
from most girls. Now. since have
met your parents. I think l under
stand. Your father IL q wonderful
man-one of natures noblemen. ] CON
slider it an education to know him,
and your mother-Ah, well! I'm glad
you are her daughter. This has been
my first taste Of real home life for a
long time, and. dear. it comes near
my idea Of heaven.
Darling. I knew. ever since We
met. that I thought great deal OF
you-today the revelation has come
I love you" Buffalo Express.
| Z .,-
| rrvino 70 40 Truthful.