The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-15

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and investigated the refrigerator.
"Cold chicken! Not bad for hand
out" commented Tom Finch as he
pounced on the platter. whats that,
Silas-makins of salad?''
Yes, and here's the mayonnaise.
Take 'em along Maud certainly has
got Some goodies put away for me.
Let's try the pantry"
The pantry gave up remarkably
dainty loaf of bread and a huge round
cake thickly iced with white.
When the men had set the table in
the dining room there was feast in
deed.
This Is a regular birthday party"
chuckled Tom as he carved the chick
en-. MAUD needn't bother about get
ting any dinner. This is good enough
for mel"
"Suits me down to the ground"
agreed Silas Dingee. II suppose Maud
will scold when she finds I've treated
you to a picked up meal when she
likes to put on company frills when
you come down."
"Humph!" shifted Tom Finch. who
was more interested in the good things
before him than he was in the elabo-
rate preparations for any meal. Seems
to me you live pretty high. Didn't
see steak and mushrooms and some
kind Of pudding in the icebox?"
you did," said Silas cheerfully.
Those are for dinner"
What is all this food for them"
Search me!' retorted Silas. Have
a piece Of this perfectly 'splendiferous
birthday cake?''
Tom Finch looked rather startled and
laid down knife and fork. you are
sure-sure It isn't anybody's birthday"
he faltered.
Silas meditated. Not mine or
Maud's. 1t may be Hilda's or the cats
birthday. They don't count. though.
What's that?"
THAT" proved to be the buzzer from
the dumbwaiter, and Silas Dingee has
tened into the kitchen and fused
around bit Presently he returned
and sat down again.
ice cream" he explained. "Maud's
evidently going to have it for dessert.
Funny, though, she should have or.
dered such quantity"
A feeling Of apprehension settled
over the two men as they consumed
the delicious cake, which was rich
with fruit.
IF ever tasted a birthday cake
Tom was beginning when Silas Dingee
Interrupted impatiently.
Hang it all, man. can't you stop
croaking? What If we have eaten ev.
cry hanged thing in the house, eh I
It's my house. isn't It? I'll eat the ice
cream II want tor he ended reck.
lessly.
Lets save something for Maud"
grinned Tom Finch as he pushed back
his chair.
AS he spoke the door opened hastily,
and Maud Dingee, flushed and rather
excited from her hurried trip home.
came In, followed by remarkably
pretty girl with ermine furs snuggled
around her neck.
"Tom Finch" cried Maud, falling on
her cousins shoulder. And over his
shoulder her eyes surveyed the re-
mains Of the feast.
Silas Dingee looked at his wife and
saw horror in her gaze. She came for.
ward and looked at the remains Of the
chicken. the evidences Of salad, the
bare half loaf of bread and finally the
damaged cake.
The girl in the doorway looked on
with friendly. amused eyes.
"Silas Dingee," shrieked Maud at
last. what have you done2'
Had bite to eat, as you told me
to-" retorted Silas defiantly.
neutrality-suspicious. voice was
close to tears now-"you've eaten all
the refreshmentsv'
Refreshments for what?"
For my party"
Your party? When?"
Tonight. goosew she sobbed angrily.
Didn't you know that this is our wed.
ding anniversary and it's Polly's birth.
day. and l was going to have the love
Hest surprise for you? The Campbells
are coming and the Lanes and the
Treats"
Silas Dingee was pale. but he held
his ground.
How was l to know. Maudr' he ex.
planned
, You might have remembered the
day." she reproached him.
II did," he prevaricated. Didn't 7
bring you violets?" Triumphantly he
produced the box of flowers.
Still Maud eyed him suspiciously.
You often bring those on ordinary oc.
casions," she said, but her husbands
chagrined face quite melted her heart
so that presently she smiled and said
1t didn't matter and remembered to in.
troduce Tom to the pretty Polly in the
doorway.
Everything turned out beautiful,v
after all. Dingee frantically tele.
phoned to a caterer and a florist. and
Maud and Polly dashed around and
Strengthened up the rooms for the on.
pected company.
They ate hurried meal In the kitch.
en-, Tom Finch skillfully making, sand.
wiches for the two girls.