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


Just the thing. I'm starved, old
man"
They entered Hflda's spotless kitchen
and investigated the refrigerator,
cold chickenl Not bad for hand
out" commented Tom Finch as ne
bounced on the platter. What's that.
Silas-makin's of saladT
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 a remarkably
dainty loaf Of bread and u huge round
cake thickly iced with white.
When the men had set the table in
the dining room there was a feast in
deed.
This is a regular birthday party.
cbuckled Tom as he carved the chick
en-. Maud needn't bother about get
ting any dinner This is good enough
for mer'
Suits me down TO the ground
agreed Silas Dihgee. Il suppose Maud
VIII scold when she finds I've treated
rUt " RsL5tNi vi Sbt-
likes to put on company frills when
you come down"
"Humphr' shifted Tom Finch. who
was more interested in the good things
before him than he was in the eiaho-
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 cheerfullv.
"Th0se are for dinner
What is all this food for them
Search mer' retorted Siias. Have
| piece of this perfectly 'splendiferous
birthday cake?"
Tam Finch looked rather startled and
laid down knife and fork. You are
sure-sure It isn't anybody's birthday?"
| he faItered
! Silas meditated. Not mine or
Maud's. 1t may be Hilda's or the cats
birthday. They don't count, though,
What's thatf"
THAT proved to be the buszer from
the dumbwaiter and Stlas Dingee has.
tened into the kitchen and fused
around bit Presently he returned
! and sat down again.
Zee 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 1 tasted birthday cake'-
Tom was beginning when Silas Dingee
interrupted impatiently.
Hang it all, man, can't YOU stou
croaking7 What II we have eaten ev.
cry hanged thing in the house, eh1
It's my house, isn't itf I'll eat the ice
cream If 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 q remarkab bly,
pretty girl with ermine furs snuggleo
around her neck.
''Tom Ffnchl' cried Maud, failing on
her Cousins shoulder And over his
shoulder her eyes surveyed the re-
mains of the feast.
! Silas Diagee looked at his wife and
saw horror in her gaze She came for.
| WA ~ Nd o. ia, = 4.
| 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 donef"
Had bite to eat, as you told me
to-" retorted Silas defantly.
But-but-you'ye'- voice was
close to tears now-"you've eaten all
the refreshmentsr'
Refreshments foc what?"
For my party
Your party? Whenp"
| Tonight. goosep' she sobbed ansriIv.
Didn't You know that this il our wed.
ding anniversary and it's Polly's birth.
day, and was going to have the love
Hest surprise for your The Campbe,ls
are coming and the Lanes and the
Treats"
Silas Dingee was pale, but he held
his ground
I How was to know, MaudY" he az.
/ planned
You might have remembered the
day." she reproached him.
i II dtd,' he prevafieated. Didn't I
bring you violets7" TEiumphantly he
produced the box OF flowers.
5. sim Maud eyed him suspic.ous,v.
You often bring those GA ordinary AZ.
cssfons," she said. but her husbands
caagrined face quite neated her heart
so that presently she smiled and ssis
IL didn't matter and remembered TO in.
troduce Tom to the pretty Polly in The
doorway.
everything turned ont beautifully
after all. Dlngee frantically te,e.
phoned to caterer and a horist. and
Maud and Polly dashed around and
Strengthened up the rooms for tha ax.