The Huttig news., 1914-04-18
At Twelve O'Clock By MARION GORDON

The Lawton's Halloween party was in full swing at eleven o'clock. A pair of grinning, candle-illuminated pumpkins adorned the gate posts and the piazza was hung with smaller jack O lanterns. Inside the house, walls and ceilings were hung with cobwebs eunningly fashioned from twine and from every corner there peered glassily-staring owls and evil looking witches, the latter accompa- nied by broomstick and black cats
 From a corner obscured by rough faggots from the forest. came the sound of stringed instruments The orchestra was concealed there and dancing was going on. It was cos tune party and the rooms were filled with whirling forms clothed in gar ments of fanciful beauty or gro tesque absurdity of form or color The various mismated couples pro voked much merriment. Mrs. Law ton, stout and jolly, was garbed as the unhappy Ophelia while her part ner, Major Morse a thin, dyspeptic- looking man. depicted punchinello.
 His Satanic Majesty danced with a demure little Quakeress. district messenger boys were paired off with mediaeval danes and the Knave of Hearts carried refreshments to Old Mother Hubbard and her faithful dog.
 Now, contrary to tradition, Old Mother Hubbard was the prettiest girl in the gathering and she was far from being old in spite of the snuff colored gown she wore with it's en- veloping white apron and dangling bunch of keys; for the mob cap sat coauettishly on her sunny hair and she could not keep the dimples from her pink cheeks and white chin, al though she did try to maintain ss- Der demeaner.
 Mother Hubbard" said the knave of Hearts as he dropped to one knee and presented a tray of ices. T have no tarts but here Is biscuit tor toni, if you please.
 Elsie Hilyer ate her ice daintily while the handsome Knave of Hearts, AIluuT bBChIudu, sdl dtN II bSoidS utt with his own plate in his hand. In his present state of mind it was suf- ficient food and drink to gaze upon Elsie's loveliness, to watch the changing shadows on her face and harken to the sweet lit of her voice.
 You didn't find bone for my poor dog" she suddenly chided him. to break an embarrassing silence.
 Arthur picked up the droll, stuffed dog that was perched on Elsie's lap and beat it emphatically against his knee. "Confound the dogs!" he corn plained bitterly. Every time I've tried to speak seriously with you to night, Elsie, you've dragged poor Fido into the conversation. Why not give me a straight answer and"
 Elsie reached over and rescued the dog from his reckless hands. That belongs to my little niece, Kitty Blair, and l promised Kitty that no harm should come to poor Fido. Is it not enough that poor Fido should be with out his bone?"
 And put me out of my misery?'. interrupted Arthur, relentlessly con cluding his sentence.
 Her face was rose pink as she bent it over the woolly dog. T can't tell you just now-let us wait a while until after the games. You haven't given me time to think"
 Arthur's face heightened. "If you want time to think it over," he said gravely I'm afraid I'm out of it-be cause if you really cared, you'd know right off.
 Wait until after the games?" she receated in low voice