The Press., 1916-12-28

' There was nothing left the girls bur to agree miserably to this and go away. But the impulsiye Mary whirled sud- denly back.
 Haven't you any relatives to go to- until you sell your ranch, I mean? It doesn't seem right.
 My husband hadn't any relatives. He was an orphan. And when l mar ried him, seven years ago, my father He couldn't forgive me. We were so young-I was a freshman in the college here. My father thought it was so foolish. and he didn't like Tom, though Tom was so good to me always. But, you see, now that he's dead couldn't ask my father to take me back. 1t would be like disloyalty to Tom."
 "But- If he'd ask you? Does he know that he's dead?" faltered Mary. -"I don't know. He lives just down here in Santa Maria. He may have heard. but I didn't tell him. I couldn't, you know"
 For once Mary said nothing at all. and Louise was left to falter sorrow fully:
 1T wish-I wish we could help you.'
 Once outside the hedge, Mary seized Louise's arm excitedly.
 "Oh, it's the thrillingest! It's just like a story. We'll invite 'em to our dinner. and reconcile lem, and''- Oh, don't you think we could? Say that you think we could, Louise! Mary, you haven't gone crazy, have you?' Louise stared in alarm at her excited chum.
 .Oh, I know her father, don't you see? He's an old w.dower-rich as rich-and he lives all alone in Santa ! Maria. right near our town, you know. And he had daughter who went to our college and eloped, or just the same l as elOped, and was pretty and charm | ing. and he'd never forgive her, and I her husband was prond'- | "But see here. What do you meanT'
 I'm going to ask them to our din ner"
 "You couldn't. You know you ! couldn't. What would the old man l think? And how coulI you invite her! If would seem as if she were a pau l per-"
 Tt wouldn't Pm going back now"
 When the pretty laly appeared Mary l spoke very timidly.
 We've remembered that neither Of us ever roasted a turkey"
 The lady's face expressed curious mixture of relief and disappointment
 '"Then you don't want the turkey after all." She turned to fetch the $! that had just been given her, but Mary stopped her.
 Tt isn't that. It's just-you know how, don't you? It's mean to ask you but you were a college girl yourself and we're all alone. We're going to bt ,in Il prodigious mess if we try to do il all ourselves-and it's so gloomy eating alone! If you could only come ant help us out! Oh, could you do it and really have fun out of it? You coul' bring your puddin" if you liked. Oh lplease say you will! We liked you SO ani the children-and it would be sucl jolly adventure!
 Mrs. Davis colored slowly and search ,d Mary's face for some hint of a char table motive in this invit 'tion or fol some touch of patroniZing air. Bu a patronizing air was what no one haC ever seen in Mary Lewis. and Mrs Davis saw instead face of the frank est pleading.
 "Fll be so glad to cone. she crie{ in her own girlish way.
 Mary Lewis walked home as ont who trea1s on air.
 Isn't it the story bookest thing yo, ever heard of? l feel so absolutely nxcited-and so happy! Aren't yo, Happy, Louise Baker? Isn't it'-
 See here," objected the less san suine Louise, tits all right to invite that pretty, cute little lady and thos , dear little youngsters. But what's tn
 est of your program? You said yo' were going to invite that old ogre iron . Santa Maria, and you'll get into th iawfulest scrape." -. l "Old ogre! Nonsense! cried Mar indignantly. He's q perfectly lovely \ hot tempered, kind hearted, headstron old thing. He always liked me awful tly much. and dad says it's because
 remind him little of his Mary. He name is Mary too, you know. c ! course he went off the handle whe
 they were married, but if that Tor l Davis hadn't been such proud, stut born thing Mary and MT. Brown woul
 have made it up long ago. My fathe
 says so. And you just needn't try
 discourage me-"
 Louise felt how little use it would t
 to try to discourage Mary. so sh L chcercd herself by considering ho' often Mary's pranks came out bette
 than one, would reasonably have e1 Ipected.
 Well, I wash D,y hands of the who
 affair If you break that poor htt filings heart and m, e her father ma at you forever it isi,'t 'nv fault" "Not in the very +, ;;r.' ciggled Mar
 excitedly diving into tie house, whic
 they had reached by this time, and f
 ing to the telephone.
 Louise hear:l onc s'.,r nf rath'
 surprising convcrS 2 F "Oh, MT. BroNll.' s:ip heard Mary
 eager voice begin. Are you invite
 out to dinner tonl"rron: III so gla' l Louise Baker and l :i:c going to hay :. l a private Thanks giving dinner and g
 it ourselves. here. at the college, D \ cause of the scarlet fever at hOm
 All our friends are going to be gon f. ! and we're to have just lady and h ,. children-an awfully jolly lady al ,- her son-a young man-younger ths if I-so you can see he's pretty youn iA,, :,