The Lamar register., 1919-09-17
When q Maid
Laughs
by Mcclure Newspaper
Byndicate.)
- BERTHA r. MCDONALD


on the outskirts of town and took the
little path along the railroad he
walked as though he were treading on
air. His heart was In tune with all
the world and the autumn sun, just
setting. seemed a great pot of gold, at
the end 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 away
to school. There could be no mistake
about her attitude this time. her open
encouragement permitting but one In
depreciation.
MAY come-tonighti 7" he had whis-
pered as he was leaving her.
"Try and see." she answered coyly,
waiting him 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 a sound of laughter
and merrymaking from within, like
discordant note in the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take Il |" he muttered. why
couldn't she have been alone tonight.
Of all timesf"
Here he Isl" shouted Lillith gayly.
ri. I.ttS b. m
stir the fudge"
He was dragged playfully into the
living room, divested of outer gar
ments and adorned with q huge ging-
ham apron. which Lillith tied under
his arms.
Domestic roles are very becoming"
she whispered with blhshing smile
which set his heart to beating u brisk
tattoo. Here's the spoon. and don't you
dare stop beating until give you per-
mission"
She closed his fingers over the spoon
with an affectionnte pat. turned the
tlaze a tribe higher under the chafing
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
ningr he Inquired casually Of Nell
Blskesly, who had taken a place be-
side him at the table.
Nothing special that know of. LII
lith Just telephoned late this afternoon
that she thought chafing-dish party
would be fun. so We ala came over"
Lililth 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 born OF despera-
ton, he decided there was no time like
the present.
"Lillith. come here" he called.
The new note of determination 10
his sudden command startled the girl
into obeying ut once. thing she was
not in the habit OF doing.
AT your service. captain" she
Knocked, saluting. soldier fashion. as
she slipped into the chair vacated by
Nell. Fudge ready7"
Il don't know thing about 1t. and
neither do care a rapl" he answered
doggedly. 81 came here to see you
alone and you deliberately planned
this"
"'Love 10 like the red. red rose" I"
she sang. interrupting him. while she
took the spoon from his hand. turnea
out the blaze and began beating the
steamlng mass as though her very life
depended upon 1t. "Now. fellow citi-
xens." she called out. "we'll soon have
something delectable to please your
sweet teeth, II John will carry 1t out
to COOL"
She poured the fudge upon a platter
and held II out to him In such 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 9 dash OF the bracing night air re-
established his determination and he
tore on the apron as he strode angrily
into the hall. Must you go. Johnf''
Lillith asked timidly. with faint
note OF concern in her voice.
Il shall not stay here and have you
mock me for one more secondl You
knsw-you must have known-l was
coming here tonight to ask you to be
my wife, and you've played with me
just as long as you're going tol What's
your answerr'