The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-02-12
THEIR SECOND GUEST
BY MAY DE vRIEs


composing room IN the big publishing
house was an unassuming man, bu,
be stopped to speak to Miss Latham
Mr. Angeles stenographer as he made
bis way upstairs with a bundle Of
proofs under his arm
Now I'll tell you how it is, Miss
Latham" pursued the foreman, do.
posting the proofs, which wers
marked hurry" upon her desk. I'VE
know your people live upstate, and
We thought you mightn't take it amiss
If We asked you to come in and ca,
your Sunday dinner with US, day
after tomorrow. We've got TURKEY
and-and there's no one to help US eat
it." he said disconsolately. so, as
you live in the next block, We
thought-"
Why, I'll come with real pleasure
Mr.. Rafferty," answered Miss Latham
grasping the foreman's inky hand
AT two o'clock" said Rafferty,, eyi.
IDENTIFY relieved. DO you like sage
stufing, Miss Latham?"
Il dote on it" the girl replied. And
Rafferty,, reminding her of the time
again. took up his bundle and made
his way upstairs.
1t was a cosy little apartment into
which Miss Latham penetrated on
next Sunday. There was scrupulous
cleanliness, and that evidence of a
harmonious family of two which can
be sensed the moment one opens a
door. And as the girl entered. she
saw Mrs. Rafferty, struggling under
the weight OF a huge platter which
must have contained a giant among
turkeys.
Two minutes later Rafferty, was
carving as tender and luscious bird
as ever grew to maturity, while Mrs.
Rafferty,, looking little self-conscious,
was apologizing for the Rafferty, home.
But it's home, my DEAR" she
said, "and that's better than board.
ing house. And it wasn't any more
for your sake than for ours wanted
you to come. Since we lost Michael,
it hasn't been any home to u.s."
"Michael?" inquired the girl. That's
an unusual name"
YES" said Mrs. Rafferty,. He was
mine and my first husbands, but when
Tim wanted me to marry him and
showed him the boy, and asked how
he'd like to start in with ready-made
family, he took such fancy to him it
broke his heart when Michael turned
wild"
Il am so sorry" murmured the girl
watching her hostess with flushed
cheeks.
We'll, the boy and Tim had a row
about one thing and another, and final
ly Michael put on his hat and kissed
me. 'Good-by, mother, Ill never come
back he said. l didn't believe him.
but he kept his word. That was two
years ago and Tim would have cut out
his tongue sooner than have spoken
the words he did"
The plum pudding came in and they
fell to. But Miss Latham seemed to
have lost her appetite.
Nov what's the matter. honey"
demanded motherly Mrs. Rafferty, as
she drew the girl aside while Tim
washed the dishes. It's some fellow
that isn't worth troubling your pretty
head about, isn't it? I've been through
it myself. Come. now, tell me-"
"Oh, Mrs. Rafferty," sobbed the girl.
Il know I'm dreadful impostor, but
couldn't tell them at the Office, and
it was only last month, and he's travel
ing for Arthur Buckle & Co. and won't
be back till tomorrow and"
Married." gasped Mrs. Rafferty, in
wonder
The girl nodded and brushed away
fugitive tear that was trickling down
her cheek.
GLORY be-" cried Mrs. Rafferty,
Tim! Come here. May l tell him,
dearie?"
YES" whispered the girl. She knew
that at the Office Rafferty,, with his
innate loyalty. would be as mute as a
clam. So Mrs. Rafferty, told him.
Next instant Tim was executing a
war dance round the girl And
whatll be your real name?" he asked.
Just Miss Latham-please-u until
spring. and then We shall start house
keeping" sobbed the girl so not a
word. OF course"
"Oh, Tim." sobbed Mrs. Rafferty,.
I'm so glad. If only we had our Mi.
chael with US now!"
IF only Miss-Miss Latham could
have brought her young man with her,
cried Rafferty,. That would have
been"
A sharp peal at the bell interrupted
him. He pressed the button that
opened the front door and. with par
donable curiosity. the two opened the
door Of the apartment and peered over
the banisters.
Il believe that's-thats-" gasped
the girl. Il left word at the boarding
house that was here In case he could
come back. oh. excuse mel" And