Gilpin observer., 1916-03-16
The PIG N APokE
BY KEITH KENYON.

tner, MISS Betty. What shall l teb
himf"
Betty gave q final pat to her fresh
ly coiffed hair, adjusted an invisible
hairpin and surveyed herself critical
ly. Tell him Ill be down right away.
Mamie"
Il wish father wouldn't send for
people to come when he's away
Betty complained. And particularly
when l want to go skating. The new
! heating system is a nuisance anyway"
How do you do." she asked politely
Of the young man who got up and
bowed as she came into the living
room. Il know you cam% to seez
father. but he's taken the car and
gone to hunt delegate for the con-
vention. But II you like I'll show your
over the house and let you look at thes
what-you-may-call-it in the cellar-the-
furnace. suppose"
Il think, IL you don't mind. I'll walt
until Mr.. Bradshaw returns" He
smiled his amusement. Does he gen.
orally go around hunting delegates as:
he would prize pig for Christmas.
dinner?"
ootty lduSueu. NOt exactly, III
though. after all. delegates are pigs
in pokes. You never can tell what
/ you are getting"
Mice lovely place for delegate to-
come" commented the heater man.
I'D rather like to be one myself"
"Say-I wish mother wasn't away.
She's in Florida. It's such a dandy
day and the ice on the lake is like
glass. Do you skate? could keep
an eye on you as well outside as
can in the house. Dads so afraid
you'll get away!"
II should say do! Love it! But
l have no skates"
"Oh, that's all right. Bobby has his
sled out this morning and his skates
are in the hall. They are adjustable,
you know"
That's fine! I'm glad you suggest
ed 1t. II you don't think Bobby will
care, I'll use his skates gladly. 1t is
too fine a day to waste on heaters,
isn't it,"
'It depends" said Betty demurely.
whether the term is masculine or
neuter gender. To prove that it all
depends upon the meaning OF the
word. I'm going to waste little more
time on you by winding up the phono-
graph for you while get my things.
What record shall 1t be. Here's a
lovely waltz-'Estellita' and SO
dreamy and smooth you forget you're
dancing and just float. There, isn't
that pretty?"
Dandy! It's fine tune! But run.
along now and get your coat"
I'D better not skate with you until
l know your name," said Betty. put
ting her head through the door.
Henderson," returned the man
quickly. Il get Hen usually"
'All right, Mr.. Henderson. Put ON
q new record II you like. I'll be ready
In a minute"
After many turns around the lake.
Betty exclaimed: MY but I'm hum
cry! Let's stop long enough to 60
over to Boyd's and have hot choc-
olate!"
THE very thing!" assented the
young man. So they had hot choco-
late and Betty was presented with .
box Of candy.
Let's 60 home now and talk until
dad comes" suggested Betty. I'm
tired and, besides, want to hear
about the football you used to play
and the golf you play now. and
want to eat my candy. Really. Mr..
Henderson,, you are very interesting
man and I'm glad you came I'm sor--
ry you don't dance, though. It's So
easy to turn back the rugs! Fathers
home! That's the car at the door,
/ and I do wonder what orr delegates
like" :
I'm beginning to feel rather sorry
for the delegate" remarked the young
man.
Here's the heater man. father, .
called Betty. II kept him for you. r
was afraid he'd be bored and leave be-
fore you came home. 80 amused him
by taking him skating"
II don't understand" puzzled daddy.
THE man from Steel and I.ardmanis
is downstairs now. He says the gangea
need adjusting" 8
Then who" began Betty IN
amazement.
But the young man interrupted.
THE comedy is ended" he said
J solemnly. And as fitting climax I
have to declare my identity. Mfss
Betty. forgive me! I'm Henderson,
Hewitt, delegate. the bug-a-boo of q
preacher, the pig-in-a-poke, and the,
most remorseful creature in the world,
for what I've done. You took me TO-.
granted, so allowed my mistaken
identity to be my excuse for a most
wonderful morning"
What shall we do to him. Betty?'
asked daddy. with twinkle in his
eye. BE lenient-he's young, daugh-
ter. and human"
And he didn't mind II I did play a