The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-10-11
They TOOK The CAKE
BY DOROTHY ELAckMoRE.


Way of the Village Woman's Elk
changer"
Hortense Ingraham asked the cues
ton over the telephone She had
been sent TO the village to bring
home a cake that her mother had
ordered from the Woman's Exchange
and she had reached the exchange
too late to get the cake. Therefore,
she was trying to reach Mrs Way,
who had charge of the selling that
afternoon.
oh" she went on. after some mo-
ments of conversation, "and you think
/ can find it myself? Yes, l under
stand. I'll get the key next door. Oh,
surely; good-by," and Hortense hung
up the receiver.
She ran to her mother. Mrs. Way
says can get the key from the man
next door and go right in and get the
cake, which she left all wrapped up
for me. I'll jump in the car and
drive right down, mother. So long"
But, after hanging up the receiver,
Mrs. Way remembered that the man
next door had said something about
going to lodge, and she became fear
full lest Hortense find it impossible
to obtain the key in order to get into
the little house used as an exchange.
She called her nephew who was
visiting her and told him of her fears.
Suppose I go down and try to get
it for the young woman" he said,
promptly. Truth to tell, he was glad
of an opportunity to find something
to liven his visit to his aunt.
That's good of you, Tom. Take
my key and go right in and turn on
the lights-the switch is in the kitch-
en- and this lights the whole house
You'll be amused al the way in which
the electricity has been put in-it's
all on this one switch. Then-when
Hortense comes she'll be able to find
you. Mrs. Way gave her nephew the
key and dismissed the worry about
the cake for Mrs. Ingraham from her
mind.
Meantime, Hortense was on her
way to the house next door to get
the key. She found the neighbor in
and he gave her the key and even
offered to go over with her to open
the door.
ooh, 1 wouldn't hear of such a
thing. Mr.. Way told me Just where
to look, so 1 won't bother you.
Thank you
The girl carefully fitted the key in
the lock of the door and entered the
dark place, not without some misgiv-
ings. The light from the street lamp
gave her some idea of where she
| was going.
who goes there?" said mans
| voice from within.
/ Hortense was petrified with fear
| and the door banged behind her.
'Who is it?" repeated the voice.
Tits t. said Hortense illuminat
ingly. Give come for my cake
And I've come to light up the
place for you and can't find the
switch" said the man.
"W-who are your" asked Hor
tense, still glued to the same spot and
trembling like leaf.
I'm Tom Garfield, Mrs. Ways
nephew from Cincinnati Wait-af
l have it. Presto!" He had found
the switch and the place had become
suddenly lighted.
Hortense looked at Tom and Ton
looked at Hortense.
Its fueny enough FOR a movie,
the man said.
yves" laughed Hortense.
You're frightened, poor girl" Ton
began. But you see my aunt be
came worried about your not bein,
able to get the key from next door 81
she asked me if I would take her Ike,
and come down here to have the plac,
open for you. And-there's you
cake, / guess
"Yes-thats it. And won't you lie
me drive you home? 1 came down il
the runabout and you came here OF
my account, 80 do lot me take you"
81 should say I would acquiesce'
Tom.
And as he sat beside the girl h
began to think that the visit to hi
aunt was going to prove more inter
I esting than it had promised.
Il was frightened perfectly sti1
/ when you roared out, Who's there?'
q HOrtense told him, as they sped owe
] the pavements.
81 was a brute" Tom admitted.
! mot at all. How could you knoy
it was I?'
How, indeed? And you were bull
3 not to faint and give me a fright i
I turn, do you know that?"
\ Hortense laughed merrily. Faint
/ never did such a silly trick in m
life. Out here in this seaside villag
we have real girls-not city girl
such as perhaps you know" she sait
i And with that entering wedge c
banter Tom Immediately became O
4 friendly terms with the girl and wer
4 so far as to ask himself to call on he
4 with his aunt on the following da
to help eat the cake "over which
LEI