The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-04-29
THEIR SECOND GUEST
BY MAY De vRiES.

Copyright, 1914. by w. G. Chapman)
Rafferty,, the old foreman of the
composing room in the big publishing
house was an unassuming man, but
he stopped to speak to Miss Latham,
Mr.. Angell's stenographer as he made
his way upstairs with bundle OF
proofs under his arm.
Now I'll tell you how 1t 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 1t amiss
if we asked you to come in and eat
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. $50, 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,, evil
IDENTIFY relieved. do you like sage
stufing, Miss Latham?"
81 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 cosy little apartment into
which Miss Latham penetrated on
next Sunday. There was scrupulous
cleanliness, and that evidence OF
harmonious family of two which can
be sensed the moment one opens
door. And as the girl entered, she
saw Mrs. Rafferty, struggling under
the weight of a huge platter which
must have contained 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 a 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,
# hasn't been any home to u.s."
''Michael?" inquired the girl. That's
IN unusual name"
"Yes," said Mrs. Rafferty,. He was
mine and my first husbands, but.when
Tim wanted me to marry him and l
showed him the boy, and asked how
he'd like to start in with ready-made
family, he took such a fancy to him it
broke his heart when Michael turned
wild"
'I am so sorry" murmured the girl,
watching her hostess with flushed
cheeks.
"Well, 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, honey?"
demanded motherly Mrs. Rafferty, as
she drew the girl aside while Tim
washed the dishes. Its some fellow
that isn't worth troubling your pretty
head about, isn't it? I've been through
st myself. Come, now, tell me-"
"Oh, Mrs. Rafferty," sobbed the girl,
Il know I'm dreadful impostor, but
I 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 I tell him.
dearie?"
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 .
war dance round the girl. "And
what'1l be your real name?" he asked.
"Just Miss Latham-please-until
spring, and then we shall start house
keeping" sobbed the girl. $50 not
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-that's-" gasped