The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-04-13

management and sewing kept them
well dressed on their tiny income plus
the salaries of Mary and Edith, who
taught school. Beauty might as we'll
have their chance, and Dan was well
worth any girls time, from many
points of view. For two years he had
been impartially nice to all four Of the
girls. They all adored him. His high
powered motor car was ever at their
service. Beauty always beside him on
the front seat. But lately Beauty had
grown restless and Dan seemed pre-
occupied and uninterested, unless II
was at picnic supper.
The Angel never refused to sing, be-
cause Dan, at least, didn't talk while
she sang. Often he didn't laugh at her
Jokes and stories. either. and one night
when she cOnvulsed her audience with
a recital of her feelings when her first
Especial article" had been accepted by
the Morning, Star, he did not even
smile. She had had various specials"
since then, but she never mentioned
them before Dan. money and success
are so trivial to him." she said, with a
mock shudder. It was as II he had
said, "Don't ever mention your citation
over a bit Of money, young lady; 1t Is
so plebeian."
Tonight there was to be another pic.
mic, and Jennie had decided that she
would take the situation In her own
hands and mention the fact that
Beauty was nineteen nova year old
er than she had been when she was
married.
Beauty had gone away with Ted
Hammer and had promised that she
would meet them at the park, where
they were to have the picnic. 80 she
said that the Angel or Jennie might
have her seat beside Dan this once.
The Angel made many delicious
sandwiches and salads; deviled eggs
and squeezed lemons, keeping up a
rnpid-fire of Jest and fun the while; 30
when Dams car drew up at the door
the hamper was packed and Jennie's
good humOr was restored.
II Dan felt any discomfort or disap-
pointment Mt the Beauty's nOnappear-
ance and promise to meet them at the
park, he did not show 1t, and he
promptly assisted the Angel to the seat
beside him.
The picnic was gay enough except
that the Beauty and Ted Hammer did
not appear; and Jennie WINS undeni.
ably nervous, laughing Historically at
the Angels sallles, and watching Dan
closely.
Dan was having good time; there
was no denying that when he dared
the Angel to run him q race to a GER
tain crooked tree far around the bend
Of the pond. He outran her shameless
ly and stood laughing. hat In hand. as
she staggered up. SEEKING dead
branch, she bore down on him while he
lodged of and around the tree. saying,
"Now, Angel. don't. really; you Just
can't run. that Ii ALL" and. his tone
changing, 'COme here and sit on this
crooked limb. want to tell you some
thing"
The Angel looked at him quIxxically.
"All right. fire away; but I'll tell you
now you will get no sympathy from
me. I'm not to blame for her running
away with Ted. hut II had been you
she would not have gone"
"Oh. yes. you are to blame. Angel"
She listened: had he said "Angel7' It
didn't sound like 1t. but that was sure
ly what he had said. "YOu surely are
to blame for Ted's raise from fifteen
per to twenty. because man may not
reasonably be supposed able to take
care Of wife on fifteen dollars: but
twenty is different natter"
"But, Dan. didn't ask the editor Of
the Star for a rinse for Ted"
"Oh. you didn't; you didnt7 Well.
what does that implsh. adorable. crook
cd smile mean. then. except that the
dearest. most adorable. beautiful Angel
might be induced to marry a dufYer
like me II Beauty were safely be-
slowed on somebody who loves herf
Angel. Angel, there are so many beau
ties. but just one Let's make 1t q
double weddingf'
The Angels Inevitable mirth twin
killed. through her crooked smile as she
said. "What n special Dan; what q
story this would make! |"