The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-01-25
When a Maid
Laughs
r<S
By BERTHA r. MCDONALD
CcopyrIsht BY Mcclure Newspaper
syndicate.)

41tttfe61E2f9tS1tfce
Copyright. by Mcclure Newspaper
syndicate.)
When John Lawrence left his home
on the outskirts Of town and took the
little path along the railroad he
walked as though he were trcadIng on
air. His heart was in tune with all
the world and the autumn sun. just
setting, seemed 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
cafed-LilIIth, who had coquetted with
him ever Since she began going away
70 school There could be no mistake
about her attitude this time, her open
encouragement permitting but one In
depreciation.
May come-tonIghta" he had whis-
pered as he was leaving her.
''Try and see.r 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
file 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 q the
house he heard d sound Of laughter
and merrymalSIng from within. ike
discordant note IN the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take Il he muttered. "Why
couldn't she have been alone tonight,
Of all tImes2"
"Here he Isl shouted Lillith gayly.
answering his ring; "let's make him
stir the fudge
He was dragged playfuIly 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 a bushing smile
which set his heart to beating 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 aifectlonate pat turned the
blaze a triho higher under the chatting
dish. and then left him to play duet
with Hugh Birch Still John had no
thought save that Of being In Llliths
home for just one purpose. which he
meant to accomplish In spite Of Wis
Itors.
: why al the hllarity here this eve
ningg he Inquired casually Of Nell
Blakesly who had taken a place be-
side hlmat the table.
Nothing special that know Of, LII
18th just telephoned late this afternoon
that she thought a chafng-dlsh party
would be fun. SO we all came over"
Lllllth Anderson had resorted to her
old trick Of playing with fire once too
often. John was confident she mast
have known what he was coming for
and. il the courage born Of despeTa-
ton, be decided there was no time like
the present.
'Lillith come here he called.
The new note OF determination n
his sudaen command startled the girl
into oheying At once. thing she was
not IN the habit OF doing
~ your service, captain" she
Knocked. salutlng, soldier fashion. MS
she slipped into the chgir vacated by
Nell Fudge readyTe
4 don't know .hIng abou, il. and
neither do l care a rani" he answered
doggedly n came here to see you
alone and you deliberately planned
this"
Love IS like the red, red rose. /"
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 II. "Now, fellow cts
zens,' y, allied out. wen soon havc
something delectable to please your
SWEET teeth, II John wiz carry It out
to cool
81 poured Tie fudge upon q platte7
and held Il out 10 him IN such hnif-
frightened, pleading way that. as usual,
he fell before the spell OF her wonder
ful eyes and found hlmscif carrying
The candy obedlently TO the back porch.
But q dash Of tie brasing night air re-
established his determination and he
Are oif the apron as he strobe angrily |
inta the hail. Must you 90. John7r
Lillllh -9ked tinh6ly. with faint |
note Of corcern "a her voice.
Il shall not stay here and have you
mock me for one more seconds You
iu yeu must lave known--I was
coming here tonight to ask you to be
uy wife. and you've played with me
just cs long as you're goii tol what's
your answer
He led be-. into the yestIbule ana
shut Tie door. just as the rest Of the
parry adjourned to the back porch 10
examine be candy, SO they were alone.
"Will yNu marry meTH he went on,
hiking be- ice between bis hands and
raising nef eyes 10 the level Of his
pun. Answer lne-4wiI youY'
a peal If hystericaS knocking laugh
Ter was der only reply. and John Law.
renee 1T ie.. going out without AN.
pfner word Is be walk 3 nic.9 the
track. taking tie short cut
hone his heart was heavy. LllIlth
and deliberately laughed sln aIz fss@
sttcr bQs6y encoaragIoe him TO SPEAK.
Iksfx y0as OILY one other thought in