Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1914-02-12

of Miss Ross, secretary, went about
their duties on the county fair
grounds.
1t took till after supper to inspect
the giant pumpkins, beets and melons.
There was a general distribution Of
blue ribbons and silver medals. Then
about seven o'clock the fancy work
awards were decided on.
Prize pork and beans cooked to a
luscious brown, homemade bread and
lemon cream pie had their turn.
There were six competitors on the
pound cake. That was dainty dear
to the heart of every advanced house
hold cook. The committee sat down
while the officious secretary passed
around samples cut with fruit knife
and served up on delicately painted
china plates. The test was made
one, two, three, four, five, six. Then
the vote-number five got three votes,
Number two, which bore the card Of
Miss Lura Barton, the solitary vote
of Committeeman Alvin Trescott.
Number five-Miss Marcia Ross"
read off her partial relative with a
readiness that would have seemed sus-
picious to a less prejudiced mortal
than the young lawyer.
"Give out the awards in the morn
Ing" spoke one Of his fellow commit
teemen, and went home, his duty
worthily done.
Alvin felt actually sad. He realized
what a terrible disappointment all
this would be to trustful. ambitious
Lura. He sighed as he glanced at
Exhibit two," bearing the dainty
card of Miss Lura Barton. Then q
whimsical impulse swayed him. He
wrapped up plate and cake in sheet
of paper and went homewards, filled
with a longing desire to comfort the
young lady to whom he must bring a
decidedly bad report.
"Well, what news?" eagerly in
quired Mrs. Dallas, as the young man
entered the cottage. and Lura looked
up from her book a shade Of suspense
on her face.
Alvin was a lawyer, and therefore
direct. He told his story plainly.
The, fair face clouded in a pitifully
painful way. The golden head went
lower and lower.
Now don't go to fretting, Miss
Barton" urged Alvin in his blunt,
earnest way. II know your cake was
the best. See here" and he placed
his parcel On the table. I'm going
tS have feast with my friends, and
we'll give you an honest vote"
why" exclaimed Lura, as she
chanced to glance at the contents OF
the parcel-"that is not my cake!"
"Not-yours?" stammered Alvin be-
wilderedly.
"Why, no." insisted Lura. "Nor is
this the piece of silver wire fastened
to my card. I don't understand"
"I'm a lawyer, and 1 do!" almost
shouted Alvin, grabbing up the parcel
and dashing from the room with a
precipitation that fairly thrilled his
two lady friends.
It was an hour later when he re-
turned. His face was radiant and his
excitement so pleasurable and encour-
aging that he infused the others with
q kind of happy expectation.
"Ask no questions" he said gaily,"
but the award will 60 to Miss Lura
Barton"
Then there was a mistaken" in
Quired Mrs. Dallas innocently.
"Oh, yes!" nodded Alvin sarcas-
tically. He did not tell Of certain
interview with the cousin Of Miss
Marcia Ross, whom he had confronted
with certain proofs Of substitution OF
cards on the prize cakes, until he
wilted and agreed to make it all
right" with the rest Of the committee.
Miss Barton-Lura," said Alvin one
evening a week later as they stood
on the rustic porch, 81 would like to
ask you a very important question"
"Yes?" murmured Lura softly.
II want to find a cake maker for
life. If l can furnish a husband who
will always love you as I love you
now, would you consider it?"
And again Lura said "Yes"-gently,
definitely, lovingly.
Copyright 1918, by W. G. Chapman.)
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