The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-10-13

the front porch, the sun shining warm
" down on his untidy thatch Of hair.
"Oh, dear, l wish they would come!
The dinner will be spoiledp' At that
instant came the distant toot of mo-
tor horn. and Nell fed back to the
kitchen and prepared the coffee and
broiled the steak.
Between whites she laid another
place at the table for the unexpected
who was undoubtedly some
Mrs. Beekman's.
me end of another fifteen minutes
Nell went out and looked up and down
the road, but there was no sign Of mo-
torcar or the expected party.
"Pm hungry as BEAR" sighed Nell
at last. 'Its after 1 o'clock, and I've
simply got to eat!"
Back in the kitchen she found the
strange young man filing the doorway
into the hall.
Excuse my sudden appearance" he
said efficiently, but I've been In the
woods all morning, and I'm about
starved. Can't we have something to
eat without waiting for Mrs. Beekman
and the rest of 'em?"
"Why, Of course" said Nell slowly,
and with a charming smile she admit
ted: I'm hungry as a bear myself.
That's very small steak for nine peo-
pie, isn't it," she asked anxiously.
II could eat every scrap myself" he
announced as he neatly slipped the
steak. to a hot platter and carried it
into the dining room.
81 forgot to introduce myself" he
said pleasantly. 81 am Delbridge Ellis. "
Sand l am Eleanor Gaines" said
Nell. acknowledging his Introduction
with simple courtesy. Twill you have
cupful of coffee now, Mr.. Ellis?"
III you please" he said, passing her
q plate containing the choicest portion
Of the steak.
'sThis is great" he said as he attack
ed the mealy baked potatoes II tell
you keeping bachelors hall isn't all it's
cracked up to be. Why, I've eaten SO
many sardines that the junkman has
to call once week for the empty
tins. That's almost fact"
"Then you live around here, too"
asked Nell. with interest
why. yes" he answered, with q
puzzled glance at her. After that he
was silent for long time, but they
ffell to chatting on Indifferent subjects.
land by the time they had discussed the
sliced peac' IS and the thick, yellow
cream the time had passed so swiftly
that Mr.. Ellis announced reluctantly
that 1t was o'clock.
"Oh, dear! / am afraid something
has happenedr' cried Nell anxiously as
they arose from the table.
Pardon my asking the question,
Miss Gaines. but will you please tell
I me u is Mrs. BeekmanT"
Nell jared. who is Mrs. Beck
manT she repeated. why. don't you
I known
He shook his head. smiling In the
Iparucularly winning way that was
Z very attractive to Nell Gaines. II new
sNt heard of her before. and am won
why she has honored me by
ding sort Of glorifed picnic here
my bachelor quarters"
Tin your bachelor quartersp' echoed
zen blankly. "Why. Mr.. Ellis, surely
nn are mistaken. This is Mrs. Beck
naAn,s place, isn't it-Happy Day Cot
|nge7 Why. read the sign over the
6orch.
10 be sure you did!' he exclaimed
after a moment. 81 see it all now. It
rEAAa very natural mistake to make.
Hiss Gaines, and I'm in a perfectly
glorious dinner, but I'm afraid you
have missed delightful time with
yonr friends Please come around to
tho front porch with me-"
very bewildered Nell followed him
arpund, and together they gazed at the
little white painted sign nailed over
the porch.
Happy Day Cottage" 1t read, sure
enough.
You see, Miss Gaines, the village
boys run down here out of season and
amuse themselves by transferring the
aiYns from one cottage to another,
much to the indignation and confusion
Of the owners. This Happy Day sign
has been on my cottage for week.
and let it stay. This is really Pine
Cottage, and saw that sign down
on the big red cottage at the end OF
the row. Very likely your friends are
down there feasting and wondering
where you are Shall we 60 down
there now and explainF"
"Oh, let me think for moment"
cried Nell
The result of her cogitations, togeth-
or with the sage advice of her host,
was that she alone should drive up to
the real Happy Dfj Cottage and say
nothing of her ode adventure.
"You must let me clear away this
wreckage," insisted Ellis as he helped
Nell into her cloak 81 don't mind in
the least. and shall never forget my
surprise at finding you here and the
pleasant hours we have spent. Indeed,
this shall always be to me Happy Day
Cottage for it marks very happy
day"
So Nell allowed him to put her into
the runabout and gave him permission
to call upon her some day, and she
rolled slowly up to the real Happy Day
Cottage, where the astounded motorists
brought her remains of their cold din
ner and marveled at her lack of ap-
petite.
AMI she next year, after Nell had
married Delbridge Ellis. they spent the
srpnuer at Silver Lake, and Ellis al
ways ad the place Honeymoon
Cokts - ~ name dyer the1
'sss