Mountain advocate., 1919-05-30
When a Maid
Laughs.
n<s
By BERTHA R. MCDONALD
Copyright. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndlcate)

''a'''' We NiAOhNil Ntit lltuNllE WI
alp. L<s heart was in tune with all
the world and the autumn sun, just
setting, seemed a great pot of gold, at
the emu o. his days rainbow, beckon-
ing him on toward everlasting happi-
ness. Lillith had given him TO under
stand that nflernuCE iEa. the really
carcd-Lil.th, who had coqJcttcd 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--tonight?" he had whls-
pered as I've was leaving her.
TRY aud see" she answered cOyly,
waiting him butterfly kiss from the
tips of her fingers. Aud he was going
to her now. lie 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 nestcgg in the savings
bank which he could offer Lillith.
When he was almost In front Of the
house he heard sound OF laughter
and merrymaklng from within, like a
discordant note in the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take II :! he muttered. "Why
couldn't she have been alone tonight
of all times?"
Here he is" shouted Lillith gayly,
answering his ring; lets make him
stir the fudge"
He was dragged playfully into the
living room, Invested of outer gar
ments and adorned with huge ging.
ham apron, which Lillith tied under
his arms.
domestic roles are very becoming"
she whispered with Il blushing smile
which set his heart to heating u brisk
tattoo. Here's the spoon, and dont you
dare stop beating until | give you per-
mission"
She closed his fingers over the spoon
with an affectiOnate pat, turned the
blaze a trile higher under the chatting
dish, and then left him TO play u duet
with Hugh Birch. Still John had no
thought save that of being in Lilliths
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 Il place be-
side him mt the table.
Nothing special that know of. Lii
18th just telephOned late this afternoon
that she thought chafing-dlsh party
would be fun, so we all came over"
Lilllth Anderson had resOrtcd 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 despcra-
tion. he decided there was no time ike
the present.
"Lillitil, come here" he called.
The new note of determination in
his sudden command startled the girl
into Obcying ut once, thing she was
not in the habit Of doing.
'At your service, captain" she
mocRCd, sulutng, soldier fashion, as
she slipped into the chair vaC:H ted Toy
Nell. "Fudge ready?"
II don't know thing about it, and
neither do care Il rap" he answered
doggedly. 81 came here to see YOU
alone and you deliberately planned
this"
"'Love is like the red, red rOse,'"
she sang, interrupting him, while size
took the spoon from his hand turne'
out the blaze and began. beating the
steaming mass as though her very life
depended upon it. Nov, fellow citi.
zens," she called out, "well soon have
something delectable TO please your
sweet teeth, II John viii, carry II out
TO cool"
She poured the fudge upon a platter
and held il 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 dash of the braclng night air re-
established his determination and he
tore off the apron, as he strobe angrily
into the han. Must you go, john?
Lilllth asked timidly. with faint
note OF concern in her voice.
81 shall not stay here and have you
mock me for one more second You
knew--yOu must have known-I was
coming here tonight to ask you to be
my wife, and you've played with me
just rs long as you're going to What's
your answer"
He led her into the vestibule ana
shut the door, just as the rest of the
party adjourned to the back porch to
examine the candy, so they were alone,
"Wlll you marry me?" he went on.
taking her face between his hands and
raising her eyes to the level of his
own. ANSWER me-wlll your
A pea"Of hysterlcal, mOcking laugh
ter was her only reply, and John Law.
renee left her, going out without an
other word. AS he walked along the
railroad. track. taking the short cut
home. his heart was heavy. lilllth
had deliberately laughed In his face
after boldly encouraging him to speak,