Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-12-27
NEATLESS DAY
By VICTOR RADCLIFFE.
coDyrseht- isl7. wsssern Newspaper UnIoIl.l


AHumphr' shrugged the customer.
Yesterday was 2 meatless day and !
had to miss my accustomed chop.
suppose It win be sheetiess day soon,
and we viii have to roll up in blan-
kets. and heatless day, with no steam
on"
He showed no resentment 10 the GOV
ernment By disoatching the wheatless
meal in due order and tipping the
waiter.
eTm not cross DE tod himself as
he proceeded down .Ae street.. but
don't IKE my das's tasks one bit"
EIr. Embree went TO railroad de-
pat ana purchased q ticket TO FAIR
dale, 3 Hide suburban town twenty
miles away lie ented the coach and
drew BIS coat coar IN. around his
neck TO warn any glkatIve fellow pas
senger That he had 2 decided Crouch.
Then Ralph Embree began 70 think
hard
lie had. indeed, something necessary
10 ponder over. His son. Eidridge, had
come 10 him the day preceding. They
had always been ia harmonious COM
partnership.
Father Eldridge had said frankly,
q have fallen in love with the sweet
est girl in the world, and I want 10
marry her."
"And you have hidden the face from
me until you had discounted Its cul-
mination. eh?7 the father spoke, half
mockingly.
"Not l." demurred Eldridge, In his
open, llght-hearted way. "Why, fa-
ther. I never knew she loved me till
yesterday ! have been sure Of only
one thing: That an angel on earth is
embodied in Ruth Werner. That is the
name of the young lady who has won
my love. She lives at Hazleton with
her old grandmother. Father" and
the tones grew pleading. Il shall abide
your decision. but ! want you to see
Ruth and her grandmother, even
though you ask that we wait years.
Just do this one thing for me-"
"All right" assented the father
brusquely.
Over the situation Ralph Embree
now reflected. mapping out how he
would master IL in his usual forceful,
insistent way. Finally he decided he
would visit Mrs. Margaret Werner and.
her granddaughter, and be pleasant
and politic.f
lie located the home of Mrs. Werner
without much difficulty. He hardly
blamed Eldridge when young girl
answered his summons at the door.
~ wished to see Mrs. Werner" an
nounced Mr.. Embree.
"0h, grandma. you meanf" chirped
this vision Of rare beauty and inno-
cence in the sweetest of tones. "She
IS away"
Il think VIII wait for her. If you
have no objection" observed Eldridge's
father intent on a critical study Of
prospective daughter-in-law.
She was all grace and intelligence,
as she seated herself opposite him In
the coy little parlor, which was taste
full and neat as pin.
Grandma may be back at three, or
five, or seven, I cannot exactly tell
which" Ruth Werner informed her
visitor. 'You see. she is like new
being since the war commenced"
Mr.. Embree pondered over this
strange remark. but prompt expla-
nation followed
Il mean since the ladies' clubs here
have taken an interest in cooperative
work" said Ruth hastily. "Grandma
is quite old, but she has never out
grown her usefulness. oh. slrl there
never was such cooll-old fashioned,
some say, but her system just meets
the present occasion for economy and
thrift, and food conservation Is the
ruling motto Of the day.
At three o'clock Mrs. Werner did not
appear. AT four Ruth told her visitor
that she must prepare tea, for grand
ma might arrive at FIVE and would be
tired out with her days work, and
need refreshment.
Mrs. Werner did not come at five.
Ruth had been bustling about the
kitchen. She came into the parloF
with n delicious color In her fresh,
sweet face.
II have put down grandma's tea
she explained. q hope you viii join
me IN cup Of coffee"
II win be glad to. young lady," said
Mr.. Efnbree.
There were mullins baked to a turn,
hot and crisp--not at all resembling
the restaurant graham flour abomina-
ton The coffee made him almost
smack his lips. An omelet and some
toothsome preserves capped the eli
max. Mr.. Embree was charmed. he
changed his plan Of having talk with
Mrs. Werner; he decided to deliver his
ultlmatum instead to Eldridge in the
city.
Il will write 70 Mrs Werner the OBJ
iect Of my visit he told Ruth. ami
she went to set his hat. A card
dropped from its inside band, his own.
"Oh," exclaimed Ruth. and stood riy-
eted, and Mr.. Embree discerned that a
climax had eventuated.
Il fancy 1 am betrayed" said Mr..
Embree quickly, fascinated by the
pretty confusion Of his young hostess.
Yes, am the father of the young
man who came down here and stole
your love without my knowledge"
Ruth stood trembling and silent, but
lifted her eyes in fearsome appeal.
and pronounced Ralph Enforce
clearly. taking Ruth's hand and kiss
ing 1t with the chiyalric grace Of some
old courtier-'I al glad he did"