Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

CURTIS and his wife dined somewhat earlier than
~ usual that evening" and the had not fairly
set when they came out upon the broad veranda
the end of their newly purchased farmhouse
"Im so glad we're able to move in here before the
holiday Constance said "for it will be such fun tc
have somebody under this dear old roof with us, and
can't imagine anyone I'd rather choose as our first
guest than Cousin Bert"
at never occurred to me that he'd come Curtis
responded, striking match, and forgetting to light
his cigar while gazing at the reflected glow of the
in the rose-tinted sky.
a thought he would" she replied "Just think
Jack he's barely forty-two and 1 don't believe he
ever had any real fun in his life. And he's good
looking and dresses WE'LL and perfectly charm
ing that-that he has right to be absolute
recluse from social life. Why" she concluded with
indignant little nod, a don't believe Bert Harmon is
on calling terms with single girl in all New York;
NO. Curtis responded, Il don't believe he has
had time to girls except uplft business
other, since he Ieft college.
Then they talked of other things; but when they
took candles from the old mahogany table in the hall
way and started upstairs few hours later Curtis be-
thought himself of question he had intended to ask
@By the way, Connie, hope you're going to let
Bert have quiet peaceable time here for the couple
of days he S visiting You haven't asked half
dozen youngsters in peticoats to spend the holiday
here, have you?
aOh, no!' she laughed. "Only one -Mary Chaplin
1Mary Chaplin he echoed. ats mistake
@It's commonsense," she averred "Do you think
that Bert-or any other unattached man, even if he
is forty two-woud enjoy incoming around this farm
alone? Besides, I've arranged little surprise for
both of you. I've invited people to drop in for
tea tomorrow afternoon from four to six.
@You haven't he protested; then added, in tones
from which suspicion not wholly absent, "How
many, dozen?'
"Oh quite lot, she answered with assumed care
essness, Forty fifty, perhaps sixty, dare say"
She looked up suddenly, and caught glimpse of his
face. 1t not indicative of joyful spirit within.
"Are-aren't you gad?7 she demanded hurrying to
him, resting white, rounded arm on his shoulder
an expression of mingled surprise and disappointment
in her innocent, wide-open eyes.
Curtis tried hard to keep from laughing, and failed
"You incorrigbe little conspirator! he cried, gently
pnching the pink ear nearest him. "rying to pretend
that you planned this party for Bert Harmons edica-
ton and mine. There, he added, leaning forward to
kiss her smooth forehead run along to bed-and don
let him get an mixing of it in advance, he'll whirl
around and start back for New York if he has walk
you're such good Sort, she sighed, with demure
little curtSy.
~ morning when the North Adams Flyer pulled up
for brief moment, during which several passengers
alighted, among them well set-up of forty or
whereabouts, whose snoothshaved face ruddy with
health whose hair closely trimmed and already grow
ing gray lay in perfect orderncss about neck ears,
forehead whose wdeapart eyes looked keenly through
mles glasses He hurredly crossed the station plat
form, waving hand in cordial greeting, the other
carrying large, silver-mounted bag of pgskin.
Hello, Constance" he cried with boyish enthusiasm,
dropping the bag, doing his hat, and hurryng toward
her. @Its mighty good of you and Jack to sliter way
down from the farm to meet me-
"Its mighty good of you to way out here to