The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-10-25

MS room.
You ilatter yourself, sir" swept
HIM a low bow II really haven't the
slightest curiosity about your old
room"
Sour grapes" he Knocked, and then
impresSively. And no matter what
packages or furniture come here for
me they are no, to be unwrapped. Just
leave them on the porch, or in the Ii
brary until ! come home"
Il wouldn't touch one OF them with
a pair of tongs," assured him
See that YOU don't" he returned,
hanging the key up, and hastily kissing
me. Now I've got to run for it,"
He hurried down the stairs and out
of the front door stood looking after
him with a smile OF tender amusement
lie was really too ridiculous about his
room in the old Brennan house which
we had leased at Marvin
When his mother and were plan
ning the furnishing OF the place Dlcky
had reSolutelv refused to let US touch
his room. With his customary dlSrc-
gard ior the comfort or convenience
OF others he had chosen at trst sight
the largest bed chamber OF all, one with
four large windows Since moving 70
the house he had shared my room
while his had been the scene OF much
activity on the part of paperhangers,
painters and carpenters, activity which
he had screened from his mother and
me with ludiorous care
He had royalty tipped Katie to
clear up the litter the worlmen had
LETT, and had heard him charge her
to let neither Mother Graham nor my
self come into the room, Katie, much
distressed, had come to me about the
injunction, but | had assured her that
It was only little Joke OF Mr. Gra-
hams, and she had gone contentedly
back again to work.
Mother Graham's Ultimatum.
From his remark about the packages
| inferred that Dicky's purchases for
the room were complete As the day
wore on and furniture and packages,
all carefully hidden in wrappings. were
delivered | began TO wonder how IN the
world he was going to get everything
he had bought into one room.
His mother voiced another fear OF
mine as she saw the pile OF things on
the vcranda.
II wonder what he's spending OF all
this /" she said anxiouSly. Richard
hasn't any atom of common sense
when II comes to money
Il haven't any idea how much it
will cost him." | answered truthfully
Months before coniessing that he
never had any idea OF his financial
status, and that he could not save
money, Dicky had asked me TO take
charge of his earnings, bank them and
pay everything with my personal
checks. But | had long suspected that
| Dicky did not turn over to me all the
generous payments which came to him
for his drawings The appearance OF
all these purchases, OF the payment for
which ! knew nothing, confirmed my
suspicious
But | decided to say nothing to him
concerning the purchases. no matter
how eXtravagant they appeared to my
eyes | had shrewd idea that his
mother would do all the talking thar
was needful and little more when she
saw them.
The day after his purchases arrived
Dicky rose early.
mo studio for me today" he an
nounced Can you ge, hold of that
man who helped you clean up here? !
want AN able bodied man for several
hours today"
Il think So" returned quietly, and
going to the telephone, soon returned
with the assurance that William oil
the wide grin would shortly be at the
| house
That's fine" commented Dicky
And now want you and mother to
get out OF the way after breakfast. Go
for a walk or a drive or anything so
YOU are not around | want to surprise
/ YOU this afternoon. I'll bet that room
will make your eyes stick on, when
/ you see it
Margaret may do as she likes" his
mother interpoSed caustically. But
! I'm not going to bother myself with
any such nonsense. have letters to
write and many other things to do, and
| shall be in my room most OF the day
Go right along with your toolery.
wouldn't turn my head to look at any
Of the traps YOU have piled up out
there
The Room Transformed.
"Gcer commented Dicky, rueiully
drawing long breath, there's a side
wiper for YOU | hope you don't feel
the same way, Madgc"
"Tve wanted long ramble ever
since I've been out here" j said quiet
", '1'll take a little lunch with me
and get back about 4 o'clock viii
that doi"
Splendid" returned Dicky you'll
have a royal welcome when you do &c,
hack III promise YOU that"
| | had a wonderful tramp through the
woods, enjoying 1t so much tina, i, was
after when | finally returned home
| Dlcky greeted me exuberantly.
Come along now" he commanded
rushing me upstairs Come, mother -
The elder Mrs. Graham appeared at
the door OF her room, curiosity and
diSapproval struggling with each other
IN her face. But curiosity ,riumphed
With protesting snort she followed
rs to the door OF the locked room
Dcky unlocked the door with a flour
i'h and stood aside FOR us to enter.
gaSped as | caught my first sigh,
OF the transformed room. Dieky had