Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-09-14
A YOUNG
HOSTESS
She Entertained a Great
Man UnaWareS
By T. A. Mitchell

mis- daughter before setting u from
the family residence In the province of
Ontario, Canada, General Herbert Is
coming to see me this morning by ap
pointment to talk over military mat
tiers pertaining to our Canadian part
IN the great war. l have been sum-
moned to another conference Of equal
importance. l must rely upon you to
keep the general engaged until my
return. We have important matters
to talk over, and l don't wish him to
leave without our having the con-
ference"
what kind of mattersT"
Herbert has been fighting In Bel
GUM and has greatly distinguished
himself. l need the information he is
able to impart. While recovering from
a wound he has been sent over here
to instruct us In the needs and neces-
sdties Of the Canadian troops at the
front"
How long will you be gone, papaf"
TT may be an hour; 1t may be all
day."
"Well, papa, I'll do what l can with
him, but | don't see how l, a mere
girl, can entertain a general"
The last few words were not heard
by the father, who was hurrying away
to catch a train.
Gladys Oldershaw proceeded to- ex-
ecute certain household duties which
devolved upon her as her fathers
housekeeper. They were not onerous,
and did not take up much of her time.
When she had finished them she went
out on to the porch and looked about
her for some out of door occupation or
amusement. The croquet ground look
ed inviting, and, taking out a box Of
balls and a mallet, she went there and
began to play alone. But she found
playing croquet without an opponent a
very unsatisfactory amusement, and
was about to give it up when, looking
aside, she saw a small, slender young
man whose clothes fitted him badly
looking over the fence at her.
"Beg pardon" he said. us this Mr..
Oldershaw's placer" {
"It is"
"Is he at homer"
mo, he has gone to the city,"
The young man looked disappointed.
-Ho-asked how leRg MI. 0ldeRshaw
would remain away.
Father expects a man to see him
today, a general who has come back
from the war. Father told me before
going to tell this man that he might
be gone an hour and he might be gone
all day"
A curious expression passed over the
strangers face at the mention of the
great man who was expected.
II don't know" he said, that Mr..
Oldershaw will have any time to devote
to me, having the general with him."
Gladys made no reply to this; she
evidently thought the man was quite
right.
"What is your idea of a generals
age?" he asked.
Gladys considered the question IRE
levant but concluded to answer it. She
said a general must be an old man;
forty at least.
II think I'll wait awhile" said the
little man, looking interestedly at the
nearby tennis court.
'sYou might put in SOM time at ten
MIS-" suggested Gladys; that is, If you
play the game"
zone can't very well play tennis
without an opponent" was the reply.
Gladys told him that she was olsen
gagged and would accommodate him.
She procured a racket for him, and.
climbing the fence, he took position for
the game. He appeared to be an ex-
pert player, but was at a disadvantage
In getting wei the ground, dragging
one leg after him with some slight diff
iculty.
They played several sets, and during
the time occupied in doing so Gladys
opinion of her opponent was being i'm
proved. He seemed to be rather gentle
for a man, but amiable as well, and he
was quite original in his way of say
ing things.
The game was interrupted by the ap-
proach of a very large man with gray
m~oustachios, in uniform, who stopped
and asked If Mr.. Oldershaw was at
home.
"Are you General Herbert?" asked
Gladys.
mo, / am Colonel Waterman"
Papa expects General Herbert to-
day. 1 supposed you were he"
The colonel passed on, and Gladys
turned again to her opponent in tennis
and suggested that he might be tired
and would like to go the house and
rest. He admitted that it was rather
tiresome playing with a game leg, as
he called it, and he wouldn't mind a
rest. Indeed, he seemed to be quite ex-
hausted with the efforts he had made.
Gladys led him to the porch, pointed to
a swinging sofa, and when he sat down
on it insisted hat he lie at full length