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

sesssseeeoeeecseeeeseeeeeeeseesceaeeeoeooool
Jerry opened the kitchen door with
houry fingers to let In the man With
the groceries.
Halfway across the Kitchen door
his ice-crusted heel slipped on the
linoleum and he went down with q
crash.
Good graciousl" cried Jerry. ARE
you hurt"
NO." he said, getting to his feet md
eying the conglomeration Of broken
bags on the foor.
MY, l thought you were Patsyw
"Patsy7 No, my names Dennis"
That's wretched Joke" said Jerry
with contempt
1T isn't joke" said Dennis 'rt's
the truth. How could It be q Joker"
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 M
hoor and tell me II you think I'll gst
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. l say"
This time his eyes followed the d.
rection Of her finger and be saw q
table full Of pots and pans, bowls and
spoons ready for washing.
Jerry regarded him curious!y. Say,
are you really a grocery man or what,
all dressed up that wayi And what's
the matter with Patsy todayr'
Patsy couldn't come. 70 / came In
bis place."
"Oh, seel Well. do you know what
Patsy would do II be spilled the beans
and coffee and thingsi"
He'd apologize l suppose"
"Apologizel Humphl He'd pick
'em all up."
"But | was Just going TO-"
"Golng tor You're q cyclone, arsA't
youl"
Dennis looked puzzled, but without
more talking he pulled up his trousers,
got down on his knees and went b
work.
Say" said Jerry finally when three
neatly-assorted piles had been brought
out Of the chaos. do you like choco
late cake?"
"lndeed do," admitted Dennis.
"And dOuglInuts?"
"You're right"
"And mince pie7"
u like It very much, indeed"
"Well, I'm going to give you q sam.
pie Of each while I'm washing these
dishes. Sort Of try 'em on the dog,
you might say, to see how they 60. 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
Luclfer-7the whole bunch Of US. That
ls 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. WELL. they think I'm the
limit because I've got no family feel
Ing, as they put it Our mothers Il.
ther was the seventh son Of q 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?"
"It's just splendid" said Dennis.
Il never tasted anything like It You
are wonderful cook. aren't you?"
'"rhey 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 gel
ready for the earl"
"The earlr
"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. Ths
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, %
] said I'd bring It In my car. Come On,
what do you do Hrstf"
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 and tell them the jokl
on me-"
Il have no wife and family. and
can't see any Joke on you Come On
and show me what to DO"
"No."