The Wrangell sentinel., 1918-12-12
Mary Jones
 House Party
By RICHARD MARklEY

an idea. | dont see why we country people shouldn't have house parties as well as city folk
 What's house partyf- I asked.
 Why. lot of people all go to some body's house and stay there two or three days or a week ar perhaps bong CT. They play games and dance. and well. they don't do any hing but amuse themselves. Father and mother are going over to Spena week with Aunt Jane pretty soon. and I'm going to have house party. Will. you come?'
 T suppose SO"
 Jim Cunningham will be one of us "
 Mary's house party came of. sure enough. We had the honse all to our selves. and there was every reason why We should expect good time The first evening we were together we had candy pulling, and the next morning the auto was brought out. and all went for ride, except myself. didn't feel well and concluded 10 stay at home At least. this is the reason gave for not going. but the true req son was that Sarah Flint, one of the girls. had undertaken to appropriate Jim Cunningham to herself and didn't like il because he didn't let her know she coulln'i do it.
 While they were gone there was a rap of the knockef on tllc front door. I went there and found girl whu ask ed for Mary. ioid her that Mary had gone on ride, and she locked Sery much disappointed. She said she was Mary's cousin and had come all the way from Hanover Court House to See her l told her to come in aud make herself at home. She did 50. and went back to my room.
 When ] went downstairs again she had gone. The auto party didn't come back till evening. and when they did l failed to get an opportunity to tell Mar. about her cousin who had been to see her. We had supper and in the evening danced. I playing the piano for the others didn't want to dance with Jim, and didn't want to refuse him. That's the reason did the play ing.
 The next morning a change had come over the house party. Something had gone wrong Then l noticed that the girls weie giving me the cold shoulder. Later en l went to Mary and asked he, what was the matter She said that while they were gone on the ride the day before somebody had taken things from their rooms. l saw right away what it meant I was the only one left to do the stealing. so was the thief
 It was very stupid of me not to think of Mary's cousin. but was so broken up hy what had occurred that l was incapable of anything for awhile.
 It was plain that Sarah Flint was do- ing all she could to fix the theft on me. l. supposing that she was turning Jim against me. didn't give him chance to show his faith in and sym- from him every time be approached me suppose this made him mad. for he kept making up to Sarah, and when he passed me he held his nose in the air.
 The evening after the day of the theft l said to Mary:
 T forgot to tell you that your cousin came to see you all the way from Han- over Court House when you were out motoring"
 My cousin! haven't any cousin at Hanover Court House
 Then told her how the girl had gone away without saying that she was go- ing or leaving any message.
 "Why didn't you tell me that be- fore:' said Mary. "The girl was the thief. of course.''
 T never thought of that" replied.
 Mary went right away to the others and told about the girl who had pre- tended to be her cousin and who had bad the run of the house as long as she wanted to- Of course this put a new face on the affair. and they came to me. all except Sarah Flint. and asked my pardon for suspecting me of theft. though some of them said they hadn't thought was guilty at all. But knew bette
 Jim Watcced Tor nlS' opportunity to speak to me. and purposely went of by myself to give him a chance. When he came to ne he seemed not to know what to say.
 Why have you treated me so shab- bily:" he asked.
 Il have simply treated you as you deserve. When l was wrOngfully &C., eused. instead of standing by me you sided with my bitterest enemy"
 "I tried to tell you that I believed you innocent. but you wouldn't give me . chance"
 Not while you were listening to the poison of that snake"
 "I was trying to get away from her. but you threw me back to her.
 If l threw you back I certainly didn't throw you back to her. Ycs went to her of your own accord"
 And you won't make up?' he said ruefully.
 Any man who is engaged to a girl and won't stand by her when she is accused-at least till she is proved ;e m ypap for