The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-06-09
THE GUEST
BY OLIVER LoRINo.

the groceries.
Halfway across the kitchen floor
his i~ce-crusted heel slipped on the
linoleum and he went down with a
crash.
Good gracious" cried Jerry, "are
you hurt?"
No." he said, getting to his feet and
eying the cOnglomeration of broken
bags on the floor.
My. thought you were PatsyP
Patsy No, my names Dennis"
That's a wretched joke" said Jerry
with contempt.
ut isn't a joke" said Dennis, Its
b truth. How could II be q joker"
Look here, l haven't got time to
stand here and answer riddles. Just
look around at the kitchen and then
ut the mess you've made all over my,
noor and tell me IL you think I'll get
through before the day after tomor-
row."
But Dennis only looked at her
smooth, flushed cheeks. swapping gray
eyes and the rebellious hair that shook
curls over her forehead when she
talked.
Just look at IL, l say"
This time his eyes followed the d.
rection of her finger and he saw a
table full Of pots and pans, bowls and
spoons ready for washing.
Jerry regarded him curiously. SAY.
are you really a grocery man or what,
all dressed up that way7 And what's
the matter with Patsy today?"
Patsy couldn't come, so | came in
his place"
"oh. seei Well. do you know what
Patsy would do IL he spilled the beans
and coffee and thlngsf"
He'd apologize / suppose"
"Apologizel Humphi He'd pick
EN- all up"
But ! was just going to-"
Going TOT You're a cyclone. aren't
youi"
Dennis looked puzzled, but without
more talking he pulled up his ouser
got down on his knees and went to
work.
Say" said Jerry finally when three
neatly-assorted piles had been brought
out Of the chaos. do you like choco-
late cake7"
Indeed l do" admitted Dennis.
And doughnutsf"
"You're right"
And mince pie?"
81 like 1t very much, indeed"
"Well, I'm going TO give you a sam
pie of each while I'm washing these
dishes. Sort Of try EN- on the dog,
you might say. to see how they 20. I'm
going to let you In on a secret. I'm
not the girl. I'm the missus, or one
of them. There's three of us, Aunt
Genevieve and Meg and me. You'll
get to know us better some day. We're
poor as Jobs turkey and proud as
Lucifer-the whole bunch of US. That
is, Aunt Genevieve and Meg are. I'm
not"
Jerry set d plate of good things be-
fore him and perched on the edge of
the table. well, they think I'm the
limit because I've got no family feel
ing. as they put II. Our mothers ia
Their was the seventh son of a some
thing or other, and our fathers rela-
tives are all away up in @ In England.
Last year Meg went over to visit some
of them" Jerry sighed, then sudden
ly. Say. how's the pie?"
Its just splendid" said Dennis.
Il v tasted anything like IL. You
are a wonderful cook, aren't your
They all say that, and that's the
trouble. When anyoody's coming l
have to spend days in the kitchen here
to get ready, and I'm nearly dead.
Why. you ought to see that pantry.
I've baked ~doughnuts and cakes and
pies and all sorts Of things to get
ready for the earl"
1.-The earlT"
Meg. When she went to England
there was an earl she liked very much,
and when she found he was coming to
America this week she invited him to
visit us. He's coming tomorrow. That's
why I'm fixing things. Gee, I'm tired"
IS wv O6n, ohAu III SsAAPd-
thetically. looking down at the head OF
flying curls. But I'm going to help
wash these pans and things. You don't
need to worry about my place. The
grocery boy had an accident and was
passing. They took him home and the
truck to the garage. There was only
n box of groceries to be delivered, so
said I'd bring It In my car. Come on.
what do you do irst7"
Jerry looked away In dismay. "Noth-
ing. I'm not going to let you help
now. You run along home to your
wife and family aud tell them the Joke
on me-"
Il have no wife and family, and |
can't see any joke on you. Come on
and show me what to do"
mo"
"You must. I've never had my word
disputed and I'm not going TO now.