The state herald., 1918-03-15
CHAPTER xIv-contlnued.

"Connie must be precocious young
er sister, all in white-she must come
In late with a tennis racquet, as though
she had Just returned from 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 wearT
"Who, mef Oh. have other plans
for myself" Carol looked rather un.
easily at her aunt. 'Tt1l come to me q
little later"
eyes, 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
his pocketbook into the conversation"
Carol was unabashed. my interest
ls 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. 'Tt's such very tiny
thing. but It will mean whole lot on
the general impression Of million
aires son. We've simply got to have
q maidi To open the door. and cour-
tesy, and take his hat, and serve the
dinner, and He's used to 1t, you
know. and II we haven't one he'll 60
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 1t. Anyhow, 1t isn't
Cleveland" said Connie hatly.
''well. he'd think we were awfully
cheap and hard up. and Andy Hedges,
sr., would pity father, and maybe
send him ten dollars, and-no. we've
got to have maidv'
Eve might get Mamie Sickey," sug-
gested Lark.
"She's 30 ugly"
"Or Fay Greer" interposed Aunt
Grace.
"Shed spill the soup"
"Then there's nobody but Ada Lone"
decided Connie.
"she hasn't anything ht to wear" OBJ
jected Carol.
"Of whom were you thinking,
Carolr' asked her aunt. moving un-
easily In her chair.
Carol flung herself at her aunt's
knees. me I" she cried.
AS usual" Connie calculated dryly.
"Oh. Carol" walled Lark. I'VE can't
think Of things to talk about when you
aren't there to keep us stirred up"
I'm beginning to see daylight" said
Connie. She looked speculatively at
Lark. swell. it's not half bad. Carol.
and apologize"
: Don't you think II IL q glorious
Idea, Connief' cried Carol rapturously.
:. "Yes, I think 1t is"
: Carol caught her sisters hand. Here
wds an ally worth having. "You know
how sensible Connie Is, auntie. She
sees how utterly preposterous II would
be to think Of entertaining q million
aires son without a maid."
you're too pretty" protested Lark.
He'd try to kiss you"
"'0h, no. sir. oh. please. SIR" SIM
pered Carol. with an adorable curtesy.
s:yoI'd better wait for the ladies,
SIR"
a0h. Carol. I think you're awful"
said their aunt. unhappily. II know
your father won't like IT,"
like III He'll love It. Won't he.
Connier'
Swell. I'm not sure he'll be crazy
about II, but It'll be all over when he
gets home" said Connie.
"And you're very much In favor Of
Il, aren't you. Connie preciousr'
But what's the ideaf' mourned
Lark. "what's the sense In III Fa.
ther said to re good to him. and you
know I can't think Of thirgs to say to
Z millionaire's son. oh. Carol. don't be
70 mean"
But Carol stood firm. and the Others
yielded to her persuasions. Even Aunt
Grace allowed her Qualms to be Quicted
and entered into her part a. semi.invn
lid auntie with genuine zest.
4 Al three they were all arrayed. ready
tor the presentation. They assembled
socially 10 the parlor, the dainty maid
ready to ny to her post at q seconds
warning. Al four O'Clock. they were q
little tagged and near the point Of ex
ksperation. but they still held theiI
characters admirably. At half pas
four q telegram message was phonet
out from the station.
"Dslaysd In coming. VIII write yos
later. vssy sorry. Andy Hedges, Jr."
Only the absolute iudicrousness Of 4
saved Carol from a rage. She looked
from the giriish tennis girl to the semi
Invalid auntie. and then to the swce
young daughter Of the house. and burs
out laughing. The others. though tired
nervous and disappointed, Joined hel
merriiy. and the vexation was sweep
away.
The next morning. Aunt Grace went
~ usual TO tho nli.dny meeting Of th'