The Meeker herald., 1914-07-04
Our Sane
Fourth
And What Came
Of Il
B, AGNES BRocAN
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BY AGNES BROCAN 3
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Ny brothers wife looked up FROM the
paper she hsd been reading.
.1Tbers will be no fireworks at our
house this year. she said nrrnly. Il
shall see that Dot and B0bbie at isast
arc withheld from the general sacri-
dee"
.What are We going to do" Jim
questioned meekiy-.play checkers!
'This is my plan. and I know Nan
will think It q good one. Upon the
eventful day We win take q nice big
lunch and 20 to some lonely. woodsy
place along the lake shore. In the
evening We will build q drs on the
beach and roast corn and things. com.
ing home later in the moonlight"
Jim's face frightened visibly. SOUNDS
pretty good" he said. who's to b.
Mans attendant cavalier upon this oc-
casionT'
Moilie cast troubled glance In my
direction.
THAT 10 for Nan to say" she ~
sponded. "a month ago should have
asked Allison without even consulting
her. for We all supposed that affairs
were settled bstween those two. but
since be has ceased calling and Nan
avoids him in every possible manner"
"Affalrs bad been settled" between
Allison and me. but bow could tell
her that our bitter quarrel had sprung
from the very fact that had insisted
upon keeping our engagement secret!
It was all 10 new and wonderful. this
great happiness which had come Into
my life. that ionsed to keep It Jealous
b for q little time. but men do not
understand. When Allison found that
pleadings were useless hs turned from
me indignantly.
IL can sss 10 reason for coneeaiment.
Man." be bad said. when you are
pleased to recognise 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.
"wsll. Nanr' Aoliis spoke impa-
tisntly.
1--WE might ask Mr.. Armstrong"
suggested coolly, .'or Jack Meads. e.
ther would be glad to come" Mr..
Armstrong called ~ at on the
vesanda that afternoon. When told
him Of our Fourth OF July plans bis
facs lit up with pleasure.
.Jovss" b. said delightedly. 'fhat
Will b. great: Won't you let me come
along. Miss Harmon9 could take
you all out there in my car" This was
just what I had expected. 20 when my
brother came home at night told him
Of the arrangement. Jim whistled.
II asked Jack Meads to Co." he said.
'.and be did not lose any time accept
Ing the Invitation. What are you going
10 do about itT'
Mollie came to the rescue. "Never
mind" she said cheerfully. IL will ask
my sister Nell to join the party. and
you young people can all enjoy your,
selves together"
tried to look pleased. but even II
Nell In MeIlie's sister must say
Well. was busily engaged mixing
q cake preparatory to the great event
when Jim approached me on the fol-
lowing morning.
"Nan." be began spoloseticaliy. II
happened to mention this picnic Of
ours to Allison today. and he grew
quite enthusiastic openly for
an Invitation. In fact. You win not
mind II be comes In his runabout. will
you? He says Armstrong; car will
carry only seven comfortably. and he
might hsip out BY taking one Of ~
along"
l looked straight into Jim's eyss. ~
shall ride on the front seat Of Mr..
Armstrong; car" ! said meaningiy.
We had Intended to make an early
start, but it was after lunchtims when
the big red auto. followed BY the
white runabout. rolled down the beau
t1ful lake shore drive, leaving the deaf
e4ling noise OF shot and shell far b.
hind.
I'VE will not stop at any Of the pic
mic places" Mollls said. I'VE will ride
on until we come to some pretty iso-
lated spot-"
But this time Mollis ''rsckoned With
out her automobile" Tor the car
stopped suddenly OF its own accord
just in sight Of one Of the despissd
picnic places. and We were all unload
ID uncereinoniously. while Mr.. Arm.
strong dived under the machine. to ~
appear presently flushed and dishev-
eled.
'Can help Jour- Allison cailsd. but
to me Il sounded like half hearted
offer. and ] was not surprised at Mr..
Armstrong; curt refusal.
IAN right" Allison responded. 1--WE
will ride up the road in search Of an
IDEAL resting place. Let you know
when we fnd it,
Mr.. Armstrong threw Oh his coat and
vent to work with will. Jim acting
~ assistant Why is It that the incest