The Twin City star., 1918-08-03
ever getting her friend safely married

anotner invitation for q month. and
all OF a sudden she found thar she
had no home.
For her father had the measles-and
the mousse was quaraptined. 1t was
quite the most spectacular thing that
Amos Barton had done in his very
meek and uneventful life. Absolutely
ruled over by his stronger minded and
very clever wife, he had up to now
merely furnished the background in
| the shape of funds to keep up the Bar
ton reputation for hospitality.
But to go home was OF course out
OF the question for Nancy. John Orth
met her at the train and told her so,
at the same time handing her no less
than dozen invitations from her
various friends to come and stay with
them during her fathers illness. Beth
and the twins barely got off in time"
ne explained, "and your mother and o
nurse are there tc t3ae care of him
Nancy stood on the station platform
Tor moment, undecided. Just then
Phil Desmond rode by on his way back
from lunch. Orth hailed him and the
little roadster turned its gray nose in
their direction.
In moment Nancy's mind was made
up. John, Pm going home with you."
she said quickly. I'm going to stay
with Beth and the twins-and help
keep house,"
That's right" said John Orth, heart
lily, for. he was very fond of his pretty
sister-in-law. "That'll be fine" he
turned to greet Desmond with hearty
grip, for the two had been in college
together and were great friends.
"I'm just carrying Nancy off to my
place, Phil" he explained. "You know
there's a measles man Up at her
house, so she can't go home. You must
come out with me for dinner some
night, and see Beth and the twins-and
-ahem-" with twinkle in his eye,
"we'll make Nancy get the dinner,
Eth, Nan?"
Nancy nodded delightfully."- and
echoed her brother-in-law's invitation,
The Orth household was indeed a
happy one, and Nancy found plenty t.
do helping Mary, the one maid-of-all-
work in the house. and then lending
Beth hand with the chubby twins. In
the evening very often the little road
ster stood in front of the door, and
many delightful walk and ride did
Nancy and Phil Desmond have together
through the smooth country roads.
"We're really just getting acquainted"
Nancy confded to her sister when she
returned from one Of her walks. The
measles man" was better, but still
Nancy li,gered on at the Orth home.
"May come again Sunday, Nancy?"
asked Fhil Desmond as he was taking
his leave one evening. "You see don't
know how many more Sundays I shall
be here!'
eyes, do come" said the girl. "It's
Mary's day out and I'll get that supper
that I promised you that day at the
station" and she waved to him gayly
as he rode away.
quartette that sat down to the evening
meal in the Orth household. Nancy
waited on the table, and Phil Desmond
centrived to take hold Of her hand
every time she passed anything to
him but Nancy, demure, but with eyes
shining, feigned never to notice.
Then she taught the two men to
wipe the dishes, although John Ortb
declared that he had "served his ap-
premiership long ago, so he and Beth
would retire so that Phil might have
few private lessons" And very
much to Nancy's discontinue they did
so.
II think you should have clean
towel" she said to Phil when she found
herself alone with him. "You ought to
know that much yourself" trying to
be severe to cover her embarrassment.
And she shook out a fresh towel with
unnecessary force and held it out to
him.
Phil Desmond took the towel and the
two little hands that held it, and
clasped them firmly in his. Nancy"
he said, "you know I love you, DEAR
LllClnS neT uedu uIlLlI uc COiupcllGu iict
eyes to meet his. you've known that
for a long time, little girl, but hardly
dared ask you before-you seemed so
different in your own home. But I've
wanted you so much, Nancy. Won't
you cook my dinners for me always"
"Well," said Nancy, b!ushing rosy
red under his gaze, "if you'll promise
to wipe the dishes for me always. per-
haps may consider it,"
And although he did not promise in
so many words, somehow his answer
completely satisfied her.
"Do you know" said Nancy some
hours later. when the four of them
were talking it over, Il know 1t
sounds like a dreadftl thing to say,
but since it has all turned out so well
I think that Phil and 1 will always
owe q debt of gratitude to father for
being the measles man just at the
right time"