Licking Valley courier., 1913-09-04

fash all thP love fragrance seemed to
go to my heGd-Toms mixing Of that
iulep had been siillrul, too-and tears
rose to my eyes, and there l might
have been crying at my own party II
hadn't felt strong warm hand laid on
mine as it rested on my lap, and DR..
Johns kind voice teased into my ears,
STEADY, Mrs. Peaches. there's the low
ing cup to come yet" he whispered.
! hated him, but held on to his thumb
tight for half minute. He didn't
know what the matter really was, but
he understood what | needed He al
ways does.
And after that everybody had a good
time, the ginger barber and Judy as
much as anybody, and could see Aunt
Bette and Mrs. Johnson peeping in the
pantry door, having the time of their
lives too.
That dinner was going like an air.
ship on a high wind when something
happened to tangle its tail feathers and
| can hardly write it for trembling
yet 1t was n simple little blue tele-
gram, but it might have been nitro
glycerin on tear for the way it acted.
1t was for me, but the ginger barber
handed it to Tom. and he opened it
and, looking at me over his full-after
many times emptied-glass, he solemn
I,,t M I
Landed this noon. Have your permis-
sion to come TO Hillsboro Immediately?
Answer. ALFRED.
1t was dreadful Nobody said word
and Tom laid the telegram right down
in his plate, where it Immediately be-
gan to soak up the dressing of his sal
ad. He was so white and shaky that
Pet looked at him in amazement, and
then am sure she had the good sense
to find his hand under the cloth and
hold it, for his shoulder lowered against
hers and the color came back to his
face as he smiled down at her.
don't believe I'll ever really get the
courage to look at Tom again until he
marries Pet, which he'll do now, feel
sure.
And as for the judge and Ruth
Chester, ! was glad they were sitting
beside each other, for | could avoid
that side of the table with my eyes
until had steadied myself few sec
onds at least. The surprise made the
others had been dining seem statues
from the stone age, and only Mr.,
Graves fork failed to hang fire. His
appetite is as strong as his nerves, and
Della Hawes looked at his composure
with the relief plain in her eyes.
Henrietta's smile in the judges dl-
rectlon was doubtful. But they were
not all my lovers, and why that awful
silence?
] couldn't say word, and am sure
/ don't know what would have done
If 1t hadn't been for the doctor. He
leaned forward. and his deep eyes
came out in their wonderful way and
seemed to collect every pair of eyes at
the table, even the most astounded, as
he raised his glass
We all held our breaths and waited
for him to speak.
mo wonder we are all stricken
dumb at Mrs. Carter's telegram" he
said in his deep voice that commands
everybody and everything, even the
terrors Of birth and death. ''The
whole town will be paralyzed at the
news that its most distinguished citi-
zen Is only going TO give them two
days to get ready to receive him. |
can see the panic the brass band will
have now getting the brass shined
up. and want to he the one to tell
Mayor Pollard myself, so as to sug-
gest to him TO have at least two
nour speech Of welcome to hand out at
The train. Wen make it one hot time
for him when he lands in the old town,
and here's to him. God bless him!
Every glass highr They all drank,
and suppose it helped them. wish
/ could have drained quart, but |
couldn't swallow sip, though l did
good stunt of pretending.
The rest of this evening has paid
me off for every sin have ever com
mitted or am ever going to commit.
Tom took Pet home early. and hope
they walked in the moonlight for
hours. Tom is the kind of man that
any pretty girl who is loving enough
in the moonlight could comfort for
anything. I'm not Mt all worried
about him, but
The hour sat on my front steps and
talked TO Judge Wade must have
brought gray hairs to my head If Il
was daylight and could see them
Ruth Chester had said goodby will