The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-03-31

clusion of her room.
When Mr.. Lyman announced his in
tention OF taking trip to Chicago on
business which might detain him few
days, he did not notice that his wife
packed his suitcase with unusual
cheerfulness nor did he think It
strange that she made him promise
to wire her when to expect him bac..
Chance sometimes assists plotters,
and Mrs. Lyman's plans to amaze her
liege lord we're aided, beyond her ex-
pectations, by his accidentally meet
ing, on his way home. travelling man
who was an old acquaintance.
They crowded as many "reminiscences
and Jokes as possible into the two
hours they spent together on the train,
but still their fund of anecdotes was
not exhausted
AS you are going to make my
town" said Lyman, why can't you
put up at my house? l can promise
YOU a good dinner. and tonight III
take you to the club, and show you
Jolly bunch of boys"
81 wouldn't like to drop into your
family circle inopportunely. objected
the friend politely, really yearning
for home meal.
"oh. that's all right" said Lyman re-
assuringly. My wife is the good sort,
and makes everybody welcome. She
will treat you to cooking that VIII met
In yovr mouth. though she may re
ceive you in a calico dress, Just as she
comes from a kitchen. Sometimes |
wish she had a little more style. but
she is a domestic treasure. IN bet
she can make a dollar go farther than
any other woman of the present gener-
alton"
When the train pulled into the sta
tion. the two gentlemen hurried out
upon the long platform. chatting 1ovi
ally.
Suddenly Lyman caught a glimps Of
a trim, graceful woman. in a modish
tallor-made black suit, with her blonde
heavily plumed hat.
There is swell woman, ex-
claimed Lyman. "a can't fancy her
in a calico wrapper"
The lady under inspection turned
her head in a way that gave Lyman a
full view of her face. Instantly his
eyes bulged with establishment
she looks as Bess used TO-, he
muttered family. 1T can't be possi-
BILE. II is. by Jove.
Mrs Lyman's perfect costume in
spired her with self-confidence. and
nothing could have been prettier than
her manner OF greeting her puzzled
spouse.
Why. Bess. lin surprised" he
stammered, fairly limp from bewilder-
ment
You act as though you had en-.
countered a ghost" was the laughing
retort.
Lyman collected his wits sufficiently
to introduce his friend, who pinched
him on the sly and whispered:
You're a rare humbug Home body!
Calico wrappersl Good Lord! Tell
that to some other scout"
Lyman had hardy recovered his COM
posure when they reached home
Mrs. Lyman led the trio. and was
cordial in seconding her husbands
hospitality ItLHdThlnB luEtIllOuslg
am afraid you will find things rather
muddled. have been out all the af-
ternoon, and left the children playing
circus"
Lyman scarcely recognized his
home. in which disorder reigned for
the first time. and he was almost
speechless with modification and dis
appointment when they sat down to a
dinner OF tough fried steak lumpy
mashed potatoes and soggy bread, sup
plemented by a thin lemon pie from a
bakeshop.
The mystified husband felt that he
must be dreaming. Mrs. Lyman
seemed sweetly unconcerned, and IN
no way disturbed by the unappetizing
repast, or by the laundering service OF
her awkward maid.
Never had her conversation been so
engaging The visitor thought his host
had developed into a bad practical
i1ker. and wondered If he would be
nble to get satisfactory lunch at the
club
Lyman finally began to get angry
After the wretched meal was finished,
but not eaten, he contrived to draw
his wife aside, and whispered:
What under heaven do you mean,
L.. IT, \ FTr