Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-05-23
CHAPTER xIv-continued.

she had just returned from a game.
That will be STACEY, won't 1t? Lark
must be the sweet young daughter of
the house. She must wear her silver
null, her gray slippers, and"
what are you going to wear?"
"Who, me? Oh, l have other plans
for myself" Carol looked rather I'M
easily at her aunt. It'll come to me
little later"
"Yes. indeed" said Connie. "Carol
has something extra up her sleeve.
She's had the millionaire's son in her
minds eye ever since father introduced
bis pocketbook into the conversation"
Carol was unabashed my interest
fs solely from family viewpoint.
have no Interior motive"
Her eyes sparkled eagerly. "You
know, auntie darling"
"Now, Carol, don't you suggest any
thing"
'Oh, no indeed, dearest, how could
you think of such thing?" disclaimed
Carol instantly. ''It's such a very tiny
thing, but it will mean whole lot on
the general impression of million
aires son. We've simply got to have
a maidl To open the door, and cour-
tesy. and take his hat, and serve the
dinner, and He's used to 1t, you
know, and If we haven't one he'll go
back to Cleveland and say, "Ah, bah
Jove, had to hang up my own hat,
don't you known"
@That's supposed to be English, but
don't believe it. Anyhow. 1t isn't
Cleveland" said Connie fatty.
swell, he'd think we were awfully
cheap and hard up, and Andy Hedges,
ST.. would pity Gather, and maybe
send him ten dollars, and-no, we've
got to have a maidI"
1--WE might get Mamie Sickey," sug-
gested Lark.
"She's so ugly"
"Or Fay Greer" interposed Aunt
Grace.
"She'd spill the SOUP"
'sThen there's nobody but Ada Lone"
decided Connie.
'She hasn't anything fit to wear" OBJ
jected Carol.
'Of whom were you thinking,
Carol?" asked her aunt, moving I'M
easily in her chair.
Carol flung herself at her aunt's
knees. "Mer' she cried.
"As usual" Connie calculated dryly.
"Oh, Carol" walled Lark, "we can't
think of things to talk about when you
aren't there to keep US stirred up"
Am beginning to see daylight" said
Connie. She looked speculatively at
Lark. "Well, it's not half bad, Carol,
and apologize"
Don't you think it is a glorious
idea, CONNER" cried Carol rapturously.
"Yes, think it is"
Carol caught her sisters hand. Here
was an ally worth having. "You know
how sensible Connie Is, auntie. She
sees how utterly preposterous 1t would
be to think of entertaining million
aires son without maid"
you're too pretty" protested Lark.
He'd try to kiss you"
"tOh, no, sir, oh, please, SIR" SIM
pered Carol with an adorable curtesy,
"'you'd better wait for the ladies,
SIR"
"Oh, Carol, think you're awful"
said their aunt, unhappily. II know
your father won't like It."
Like 1t? He'll love 1t. Won't he,
CONNER"
swell, I'm not sure he'll be crazy
about it, but it'll be all over when he
gets home" said Connie.
"And you're very much in favor Of
II, aren't you, Connie precious?"
'But what's the idea?" mourned
Lark. "What's the sense In it? Fa-
Their said to he good to Inn, and you
know / can't think Of thirgs to say to
millionaire's son. Oh, Carol, don't be
90 mean"
But Carol stood firm, and the others
yielded to her persuasions. Even Aunt
Grace allowed her qualms to be quieted
and entered into her part as semi-inva-
lid auntie with genuine zest.
At three they were all arrayed, ready
for the presentation. They assembled
socially In the parlor. the dainty maid
ready to fly to her post at a seconds
warning. At four o'clock, they were
little tagged and near the point Of ex-
ASPIRATION, but they still held their
characters admirably. At half past
four telegram message was phoned
out from the station.
delayed in coming. VIII write you
later. Very sorry. Andy Hedges, Jr."
Only the absolute righteousness Of it
saved Carol from a rage. She looked
from the girlish tennis girl to the semi
invalid auntie, and then to the sweet
young daughter of the house, and burst
out laughing. The others, though tired,
nervous and disappointed, Joined her
snerrily. and the vexation was swept
away.
The next morning, Aunt Grace went
as usual to the all-day meeting of the
Ladies' Aid in the church parlors.
Carol and Lark, with a light lunch,
went out for few hour of springtime
happiness beside the aek two miles
from town.
well come back RI ut after lunch