The Meeker herald., 1913-06-07
Our Sane
Fourth
And What Game
Of 1t
By AGNES BRocAN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,

SIy UFOIuer WIG tOOkeu up tTOuI IOe
paper she bud been readlng.
There will be NO fireworks Mt our
house this year." she said nrmly. Il
shall see that Dot and Bobbie at ,enst
are withheld from the general sacri.
fee"
What are we going to do" Jim
questioned meekly-"play checkers"
This Is my plan. and ! know Nan
will think It good one. Upon the
eventful day we will take a nice big
lunch and so to some lonely. wOodsy
place along the lake shore. In the
evening we will build Dire on the
beach and roast corn and things. eom
Ing home later In the moonlight"
Jim's face frightened vIsibly. Sounds
pretty good" he said. WHO'S to be
Mans attendant cavalier upon this oc
casioh:'
MoIlie cast a troubled glance In my
direction.
THAT 10 for Nan to say" she re-
sp0nded. "A month ago l should hnve
asked Allison without even consulting
her. for we all supposed that affairs
were settled between those two. but
|
avoids him In every possible manner"
| affairs had been settled" between
| Allison and me. but how could l tell
her that Our bitter quarrel had sprung
from the very fact that ! had insisted
upon keeping our engagement secret?
| 1t was all no new and wonderful. this
great happiness which had come into
my life. that longed to keep II jealous
| ~ for a little time. but men do not
understand. When Allison found that
pltn,linss were useless he turned from
me Indignantly.
II can see no reason for concealment.
Man," he had said. When you are
pleased to recognize our engagement
you Will send for me-"
Send for him Indeed: Why. my heart
could break in little bits before would
do thing like that.
well. Nan?" Moilie spoke impa
tiently.
I'VE might ask Mr.. Armstrong"
suggested coolly. ''or Jack Meads. e.
Their would be glad to come" Mr..
Armstrong called as ! sat on the
veranda that afternoon. When told
him Of our Fourth Of July plans his
face lit up with pleasure.
'Jove." he said deiightediy. .'that
will be great: Won't you let me como
along. Miss Harmon? could take
you all out there In my car" This was
Just what | had expected. so when my
brother came home at night told him
of the arrangement. Jim whistled.
~ asked Jack Meads to CO." he said.
land he did not lose any time accept
Ing the Invitation. What are you going
to do about it?''
Mollie came to the rescue. "Never
mind" she said cheerfully. II will ask
my sister Nell to join the party. and
you young people can all enjoy your
selves together"
| tried TO look pleased. hut even II
Nell il MollIe's sister I must say
Well. was busily engaged mixing
a cake preparatory to the great event
when Jim approached me on the fol-
lowing morning.
"Nnn." he began apologetically. II
happened to mention this picnic OF
ours to Allison today. and he grew
quite enthusiastic-hinted openly for
MI invitation. In fact. You will not
mind II he comes In his runab bout, will
you? He says Armstrong; car will
carry only seven comfortably. and ne
might help out by taking one Of u
along"
I lot,ked straight into Jim's eyes. II
shall ride on the front seat OF MIR.
Armstrong; car" said meaningIy.
| We Ind Intended to make an early
start. hut it was after iunchtime when
the big red auto. followed by the
white runnbout. rolled down the beau
tiful lake shore drive. leaving the deaf.
eni,g noise Of shot and shell far be-
hind.
I'VE will not stop at any of tie pic
mic places" Mollle said. We will ride
on until we come to some pretty iso-
lated spot
But this time Moirie "reckoned with
out her automobile" for the car
stopped suddenly of Its own accord
Just in sight Of one of the despised
picnic places. md We were all unload
Ell unceremoniously. while Mr. Arm
strong Owed under the machine. to re-
appear presently flushed and DISNEY
eled.
"Can help you?" Allison called but
to me 1t sounded like half hearted
offer. and ! wns not surprised at Mr. 4
Armstrong; curt refusal.
"All right" Allison responded. I'VE
will ride up the road In search of an
ideal resting place. Let you know
when we find IT,
Mfr. Armstrong threw or his coat and
went to work with will. Jim acting
as assistant. Why Is It that the incest
men turn savage when q spark plug or
some other queer thing about an auto
mobile goes wrong!
"Do you think you can mend itT'