The Meeker herald., 1919-05-31
GETS HER WISHES
BY ELLA R. PEARcE.


giving lingering. wistful glance at
the outspread bridal finery In her pref.
ty room. turned to her mother with
sigh Of relief.
Everything ready md ahcnd OF
time. Aren't we wonderful, Munster"
Then. suddenly hucking her head In
a comically childish way. she slipped
to the elder wOman's side and wound
loving arms about her. .i-.
$50 soon. dearest-so soon!" she
murmured, with q catch In her young
voice.
Mrs. Leeds gently stroked the shin.
Ing head on her shoulder.
Everything has gone splendIdly,
Anna" The mother spoke with prac.
teal crIspness. She would not let her
own voice quavcr. "And suppose my
little girl Is very happy now"
Anna lifted her head and her eyes
were twinklfng.
"Not absolutely happy, Mumslc."
She tapped OF her words on upheld
fingers. ''One. two. three--thrce things
more I need to make me absolutely
happy"
"why, Anna" Mrs. Leeds looked
anxious. II emit Imagine what you
have in mind. What more could you
wish for?"
'There are three things" repeated
Anna. 'Firstly. wish Van Trcdwell
would full In love with somebody else"
whats the second wish. Annn1"
II wish Lois Mather was coming to
my wedding"
"LoIs Mather?" Mrs. Leeds looked
puzzled. "Why. haven't heard you
speak of her lately"
''But I've thought lot" said Anna
quickly. '
$50 you want Van Tredwell to for
get you, and Lois Mnther to forgive"
"And come to my wedding" inter
rupted Anna lightly. "But OF course
she won't. And there's my third wish.
What do you suppose II ls?"
Mrs. Leeds shook her head.
swell, I wish that someone will give
me spinet desk for wedding pres.
emit"
Then Mrs. Leeds laughed mirthfully.
"Annn Anna You are such child"
She snt long after her mother had
gone downstairs and thought over their
late conversation.
Anna was deeply In love with the
man she was to marry. But she could
not help remembering Van Tredwell's
boyish attentions; his bnshful gallnn-
tries; his bitter disappointment at the
end.
Then the boarding school friendship
with Lois Mnther. How delightful md
satisfying that had been while 1t last
ed. No girl since TINT time had ever
been the understanding friend the en-
tertnining companion Lois Muther had
been.
Mrs. Leeds brought letter to Annals
room In the sunset hour.
"a big box has come. Something
Grated" she Informed her daughter.
"Shall I have Josh open It for your"
ayes. And III be right down."
Anna was opening her letter with
queer expression on her face. 1t was
from Lois Mnthcr.
ave heard of your coming marriage
and the news set me thinking of old
times. Anna. dear" the letter ran.
"And 1t seemed to me you would like
to know of my new happiness, too.
never had friend like you, Anna"
Anna winkcd back rendy tenr.
"He's man from your own town
one your neighbors. Isn't 1t stranger
But the moment Van Trcdwell and
met 1t was case of love Mt sight.
You know how those things happen
sometimes. 1t WINS Van who told me
Of your engagement. vnn can't get
away just now, but want to come to
your wedding. Anna, II you'd like me
to-"
"Oh" cried Anna, lazed by the sud-
well and Lois Mather! Mct-engug.
ed-LoIs coming to her wedding! She
turned to the letter again.
"The present Is Vans, hut the idea
is mine" were the next words she read.
"Men never know what to buy for
weddings. But I remember how fond
you were of old-fashloned things
and"
Mother" called Anna excitetlly over
the ruling. Is tIlat DIG Dox open YER
Is 1t from Van? Don't tell mel know
what 1t Is before see It."
She hurried down the stairs. talking
breathlessly. Mother, the strnngest
thing has happened. Vans In love with
the incest girl ever. Lois AInthers
coming to my wedding. And-she told
Van to send that-slle always thought
Of the right thing"
Eyes. There's your spInet desk"
nodded Mrs. Leeds.
For moment Anna gazed at the
much desired new gift. Then. with
Van Tredwell's card in one hnnd and
Lois Mather's letter In the other, her
head dropped to her mothers Shout
der and happy tears flowed. "Just to
prove how happy ! am murmured
Anna.