The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-05-20

uUSuduuS. mere Was an OPPOIt uuAay
an opportunity that had been enhanced
by the Widows bad handwriting in an
other way than in leading Mr.. Wingate
to think she was to stay at hotel
She had written him and the Thornes
as well that she would arrive on the
10th of October. He had read 1t the LIST.
Miss Humphrey. If she played her
cards well. might have ten days to get
a matrimonial hook into Mr.. Wingate's
mouth.
After Mr.. Wingate's remark that it
was an equally long journey to the
widows home Miss Humphrey sat
listening to what he said further, but
intent on what immediate action she
would take. Presently she excused her
self, and maid came and showed Mr..
Wingate to his room. His trunk fol-
lowed later. While he was making his
toilet an automobile pulled up under
the porte-cochere and gentleman and
lady alighted. They were Mr.. and Mrs.
Thorne. Miss Humphrey told them Of
the guest who had arrived and the
mistake he had made, suggesting that
it would be amusing to permit him to
continue to be deceived. ThOrne, who
was ready for anything whereby to
make his stay in the country endura-
BILE, fell in with the plan enthusiastic
cally.
When the guest came down just be-
fore luncheon he was received by Mr..
Thorne. who said to him cheerily:
"Sorry not to have been here to re-
ceive you, sir. Fact is, we have room
for very few guests at any time, and
now those who have been here are all
returned to the city. So I don't trouble
myself to stay about the place much.
My niece tells me that she took care of
you. Do you like your room"
very much"
well, come in to luncheon. Since
our guests are all gone 1t would be
lonely for you to eat alone, so we will
take you in with u.s."
That's very kind of YOU"
The party. consisting of Mr.. and Mrs.
Thorne, Miss Humphrey and Mr.. Win
gate, sat down to table in a dining
room handsomely furnished and par
took of a luncheon which the guest
pronounced equal to any he had ever
eaten in private house. What
puzzled him was that both the landlord
and landlady seemed to be to the man.
ner born, while their niece was evident
ly every inch a lady. True. the land
lord talked a great deal about the fine
season they had had and the money
they had made out of their guests
This seemed to be Notifying to his
wife and niece, for during these boasts
they both concealed their features be-
hind their napkins. When they had
finished the meal and were rising from
the table Mrs. Thorne said to her
niece:
"Luella, l think you had better take
Mr.. Wingate out for an auto ride this
afternoon. This is a dull place, Mr..
Wingate, but Wen do the best We can
to keep you from being lonely"
II shall consider myself under deep
obligations" replied the guest
When an hour later runabout was
brought to the porte-cochere Miss Hum
phrey took the wheel, and she and Mr..
Wingate sped away merrily. They re-
turned only in time to dress for dinner,
please charge up all the extras" he
said to the landlord privately, "the auto
and any wine l order. and I'll pay
when I settle my BILL"
you'll find everything charged" said
Thorne, "even the cigars"
Mr.. Wingate was so delightfully."- en-
tertained that he didn't fret about the
delay in the widows coming He play
ed tennis with Miss Humphrey in the
morning and rode In the auto with her
in the afternoon. In the evening the
four occupants of the house played
cards, and the days sped by merrily.
One day Miss Humphrey said to her
companion:
when do you expect Mrs. Over
aker?"
Mrs. Overaker? Why, I expected
her on the LIST Of the month. What's
this-the 3dY
''This is the 9th"
"You don't mean it. I wonder what
ts delaying her."
Delaying her? You don't expect her
at all now, do your"
Mr.. Wingate hoped in his heart that
she would not come, but he said that
something might have occurred to
change her plans. That evening 1t
was evident to all except Mr.. Win
gate that something of Importance was
at hand. A delicious dinner was served.
Miss Humphrey was clad In costume
that the guest pronounced a "blue
dream Of heaven" After dinner the
landlord and landlady excused them
selves and left the place, leaving Mr..
Wingate and their niece in the drawing
room. A perfume Of flowers came In
from the conservatory adjoining. Mr..
Wingate forgot all about the widow,
and-well, when Mr.. and Mrs. Thorne
returned he was engaged to Miss Hum
phrey.
A supper was set in the dining room,
to which the four persons adjourned
Mrs. Thorne and her niece hung back
for a few whispered words. Then
there was the popping Of champagne
cork, and Mrs. Thorne, holding her
glass high, proposed the health Of the
newly engaged couple. Mr.. Thorne
kissed his niece and, Shaping his guest
on the back, said vociferously:
s0This fS No hoto1 This 10 tho x,oSi