The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-06-27
Meeting Sister
N%D
By CATHERINE PARSONS


tive sister-in-law, at least. you will
consent to meet my attractive wife
she's quite harmless as far rs you are
concerned and we'll worth knowing"
Kenny grinned.
You bet, I'll meet your wife, Fred
the sooner the better, It's only Il lot
of silly girls l can't stand"
well, she's here now. She's taken
little apartment about a mile from
camp-lO Main street Wen expect
you to afternoon tea tomorrow-that
Will be before her sister gets there, so
you won't have to worry. Is that
o. K.?'
ut sure is. So long, now-Tve got
to get back to my job"
The next afternoon was cold and
clear, and Kenny walked briskly along
and thought rather pleasantly of the
hot tea he would soon have offered to
him. And he was really anxious to
meet F'red's wife, too. They had known
each other since they We're boys and
his friend had married only a month
or two before-just after he left train
ING camp. The girl he imagined Fred
would pick out would be tall and
stately and dignified and very good
lOOking-he could see her perfectly in
his minds eye.
But he had quite a shock when his
ring was answered and he was uSh-
cred into the tiny living room TO Mrs
Campbell's apartment. To be sure. his
hostess was there-yery much So-but
she was small. very pretty and ridicu-
lousy young loolling-Fred should
have prepared him little for this.
We're glad you could come. Lieu
tenant Kenny. Fred took my sister
out for Il few moments, but they will
be back directly. Do sit down and tell
me something about the camp-Im
dying to hear all about it"
SISTER" thought Tom Kenny,
gr0aning inwardly. Then she did come
after all. Curse my rotten luck :"
Aloud he said:
I've just been thinking it's so Won
derful Out-perhapS you would like to
see something of the place Yourself
we could take little walk out in the
direction of camp if you want to and
you think Fred won't mind"
His one idea was to get outside be-
fore sister returned-he hoped she
never would return!
Mercy. no-F'red won't mind. He'll
be only too glad to get me OFF his
hands for while"
Having made up his mind to make
the best of things, Tom found his little
companion decidedly good company.
She laughed at his jokes and made
herself SO agreeable that he fuund him
self feeling almost disappointed when
they finally turned towards home But
the whole afternoon she never men
toned her husband once. When they
first started cut Tom had turned to
her qucstioningly:
"YCu are quite sure your husband
won't care if YOU do 90 off like this?,
My husband :" echoed the girl,
bIa.kly. Then light duwned in a mo-
ncnt and She turned her head away
to hide the twinkle that Shoae in her
eyes.
He'd trust me with you, I i,now,'
she returned smiling. Tn just going
to have good time and forget all
about him.
When they got baci, % Mrs Camp
bclls apartment it was SO late that
Tom begged 10 be excused, as he had
20 be back at camp in time for mess.
Freds wife did not urge him to come
in, but asked him to come to tea two
days later 10 meet her sister. He tried
to refuse, on some sort of pretense.
bat he found ii too hard to refuse any
thing dis girl asked him. when she
really wanted to have hey own way.
SO h. promised and went back to
camp. thinking that Fred was Il pretty
fortunate man 10 nave such wonder
ful little wife and wishing there We're
more women in the world like her!
On Friday afternoon he found both
the ladies' home. and he went through
the painful ordeal of meeting sister.
She was far more stately than Fred's
wife, and possibly very charming, but
Tom hardly noticed her at all.
Il was so sorry about the other af-
tern0on." apOlogized Miss Ely. Fred
told me it would only take minute,
and then found so many things had
to attend to that before | knew it ii
was terribly late. I was 50 sorry not
to meet you"
Mrs. Campbell was very kind, ard
entertained ne royalty assured
Kenny.
I'm bet She did" agreed Fred Camp
bell, and Il CLEAN of amusement passed
hetWcen him and his now very demure
little wife who was seated at the other
end Of the room.
I'VE had a beautiful time Freddie,
dear" she cried enthusiastically. And
I've been thinking we ought to get up
some nice little paroles while sister is,
here-juSt the four OF US. l do 50 love
20 chapcrone."
Fred laughed. Anything you sus-
gest will be all right, my dear
Then let's 20 skating Sunday after
noon-it's heavenly on the lake. VIII
,ou go, Lieutenant Tom?'
IF Fred's willing. Are you fond of