The Raymer enterprise., 1917-02-22
THE GUEST
BY OLIVER LoRlNc.

I
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Jerry opened the kitchen door with
noury fingers to let In the man with
the groceries.
Halfway across the kitchen floor
his ice-crusted heel slipped on the
iinoleum and he went down with
crash.
Good gracious!" cried Jerry, "are
you hurt?"
no he said, getting to his feet al
eying the conglomeration of broken
bags on the floor.
MY. l thought you were Patsyw
"Patsyf No, my names Dennis
That's wretched joke" said Jerry
with contempt.
1T isn't a joke" said Dennis, "tt's
the truth. How could 1t be a jokeY
Look here, | haven't got time to
stand here and answer riddles. Just
look around at the kitchen and then
at the mess you've made all over my
hoor and tell me II you think I'll yet
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 It, say"
This time his eyes followed the di.
reetion Of her finger and he saw
table full of pots and pans, bowls and
spoons ready for washing.
Jerry regarded him curiously. Say,
are you really grocery man or what,
all dressed up that way7 And what's
the matter with Patsy todayr
Patsy couldn't come, SO | came In
his place."
"oh, l see! Well. do you know what
Patsy would do If he spilled the beans
and coffee and things?"
He'd apologize suppose"
"Apologizel Humphl He'd pick
em all up"
But l was just going to-"
| Going toa You're cyclone, aren't
youl"
Dennis looked puzzled, but without
more talking he pulled up his trousers,
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 cake2"
Indeed do" admitted Dennis.
"And doughnuts?'
you're right"
sand mince pie9"
Il like It very much, indeed"
well, I'm going 10 give you a, sam.
pie Of each while I'm washing these
dishes. Sort of try 'em on the dog.
you might say, to see how they go. I'm
going to let you In on secret. I'm
not the girl. I'm the missus, or one
OF them. There's three of us, Aunt
Genevleye 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 plate of good things be-
fore him and perched on the edge Of
the table. swell. they think Pm the
limit because I've got no family feel.
Ing, as they put it. Our mothers fa-
ther was the seventh son of some.
thing or other. and our fathers rela-
tiyes are all away up In G In England.
Last year Meg went over to visit some
Of them" Jerry sighed, then sudden
ly. Say, h0ws the pie?"
Its just splendid" said Dennis.
Il never tasted anything like 1t. You
are wonderful cook. aren't your"
They all say that, and that's the
trouble. When anybody's coming
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"
"The earl?"
"Oh, | forgot. ! didn't finish about
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"
ITS too bad" said Dennis sympa-
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
one box Of groceries to be delivered, SO
said I'd bring 1t In my car. Come on.
what do you do firstj"
Jerry looked away In dismay. Moth.
ing. I'm not going to let you help
now. You run along home to your
wife and family and tell them the Joke
on me-"
al bava M ,ptPo ana f.,,,tt, n.t