, 1919-02-06
When a Maid
Laughs
TN
Copyright. by Mcclure Newspaper
S~yndicate-)
By BERTHA r. MCDONALD

Htlle pain alOuS lne TallrOuu ne
walked as. though he were treading on
air. His heart was in tune with all
the world and the autumn sun, just
setting, seemed n great pot OF gold, at
the n of his days rainbow. beckon-
ing him on toward everlasting happi-
ness. Lillith had given him to under
stand that afternoon that she really
cared-Lillith, who had coquetted with
him ever since she began going way
to school. There could be no mistake
about her attitude this time, her open
encouragement permitting but one in
depreciation.
May | come-tonight?NAe had whis-
pered as he was leaving her.
"Try and see," she answered coyly,
waiting him a butterfly kiss from the
tips of her fingers. And he was going
to her nOw. He had determined TO set
tie the future that very evening, come
what may, and he was thinking with
honest pride, as he walked along. of
the comfortable nestegg in the savings
bank which he could offer Lillith.
When he was almost in front of the
house he heard u sound of laughter
and merrymaking from within, like a
discordant note in the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take it," he muttered. "Why
couldn't she have been alone tonight,
of all times?"
"Here he is !" shouted Lillith gayly.
answering his ring; let's make him
stir the fudge"
He was dragged p~layfully into the
living room, Invested of outer gar
ments and adorned with a huge ging-
ham apron, which Lillith tied under
his arms.
domestic roles are very becoming"
she whispered with a blushing smile
which set his heart to beating II brisk
tattoo. Here's the spoon, and don't you
dare stop beating until l give you per-
mission"
She closed his fingers over the spoon
with an affectionate pat. turned the
blaze a trife higher under the chatting
dish, and then left him to play a duet
with Hugh Birch. Still John had no
thought save that of being in Lillith's
home for just one purpose, which he
meant to accomplish in spite of Wis
itors.
"Why all the hilarity here this eve
ning?" he inquired casually of Nell
Blakesly, who had taken a place be-
side him at the table.
Nothing special that l know of. Lii
18th just te%lephoned late this afternoon
that she thought a chafing-dish party
would be fun. so we all came over"
Lillith Anderson had resorted to her
old trick of playing with fire once too
often. John was confident she must
have known what he was coming for
and. with the courage porn of despera-
ton, he decided there was no time like
b present.
"Lillith, come here" he called.
The new note of determination in
his sudden command startled the girl
into obeying at once, a thing she was
not in the habit of doing.
"At you service. captain" she
Knocked. saluting, soldier fashion, as
she slipped into the chair vacated by
Nell. Fudge ready?"
II don't know a thing about it. and
neither do l care a rap!" he answered
doggedly. 81 cames here to see you
alone and you deliberately planned
this"
"Love is like the red. red rose.'"
h sang. i~nterrupting him, while she
tool the spoon from his hand, turned
out the blaze and began beating the
steaming mass as though her very life
depended upon 1t. Nov. fellow citi-
zens," she called out, "we'll soon have
something delectable to please your
sweet teeth, If John will carry it out
to COOL"
She poured the fudge upon a platter
and held 1t out to him in such a half
frightened, pleading way that, as usual.
he fell before the spell of her wonder
full eyes and found himself carrying
the candy obediently to the back porch.
But a dash of the bracing night air re-
established his determination and he
tore off the apron as he strobe angrily
into the hall. Must o go. JohnT'
Lillith asked timidly. with a faint
note of concern in her voice.
81 shall not stay here n have you
mock me for one more secondl You
knew-you must have known was
coming here tonight to ask you TO be
my wife, and you've played with me
just as long as you're going tot What's
your answer"
He led her into the vestibuie and
shut the door, just as the rest of the
party adjourned TO the back porch TO
examine the candy. so they were alone.
F'Will you marry me?" he went on,
taking her face between his hands and
raising her eyes to the level of his
own. ANSWER me-will your"
A peal of hysterical, hooking laugh
ter was her only reply, and John Law
renee left her. going out without an
other word. Al he walked along the
railroad track, taking the short cut
home. his heart was heavy. Lillith
had deliberately laughed In his face
after boldly encouraging him to speak.
There was only one other thought in
| his mind. and that was to get AWAY