The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-03-04
THEIR SECOND GUEST
A. May DE WIRES.
by NAY De vRlES.

composing room In the big publishing
house was an unassuming man, but
he stopped to speak to Miss Latham,
Mr.. Angeles stenographer as he made
his way upstairs with a bundle Of
proofe under his arm.
Nov I'll tell you how It Is, Miss
Latham" pursued the foreman, de.
posting the proofs, which were
marked hurry" upon her desk. I'VE
know your people live upstate, and
we thought you mightn't take II amiss
IL we asked you to come in and eat
your Sunday dinner with US, day
after tomorrow. We've got a turkey,
and-and there's no n to help US eat
IT," he said di~sconsolately. 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,, evi.
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.
II 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 n 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.
I Two minutes later Rafferty, was
carving as tender and luscious a bird
as ever grew to maturity, while Mrs.
Rafferty,, locking a little self-conscious,
was apologizing for the Rafferty, home.
But it's a home, my dear" she
said, "and that's better than a board.
ing house. And 1t wasn't any more
for your sake than for ours I wanted
you to come. Since we lost Michael,
1t hasn't been any home to us"
! 'Michaei9" inquired the girl. That's
80 =
an unusual name"
Yes" said Mrs. Rafferty,. "He was
mine and my first husbands, but when
Tim wanted me to marry him and I
showed him the boy, and asked how
he'd like to start in with a ready made
family, he took such a fancy 10. him 1t
broke his heart when Michael turned
wild"
Il am so sorry murmured the girl,
lwstching her hostess with flushed
cheeks. u
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, I'll 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.
Now what's the matter, honey9"
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 1t? I've been through
it myself. Come, now, tell me-"
"Oh, Mrs, Rafferty, sobbed the girl,
Il know I'm a 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 way
a fugitive tear that was trickling down
her cheek.
Glory bel" cried Mrs. Rafferty,.
Tim! Come. here! May I tell him,
dearie2" 80. 5.,
Yes" whispered the girl. She knew
that at the Office Rafferty,, with his
innate loyalty, would be as mute as q
clam. So Mrs. Rafferty, told him.
Next instant Tim was executing a
war dance round the girl. And
whatll be your real manner" he asked.
Just Miss Latham-please-untiI
spring, and then we shall start house
keeping" sobbed the girl. $50 not q
word, of course"
"Oh, Tim" sobbed Mrs. Rafferty,,
I'm so glad II 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, H5 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 hanisters.
Il believe that's-that's--" gasped
the girl. Il left word at the boarding
house that I was here In case he could
come back. oh, excuse met" And,
amid cries to bring him upstairs, tho
girl few down to meet the newcomer
whose firm steps resounded IN the sec
ond passage below.
Mrs. Rafferty, slipped her hand IntN