The Era-leader., 1919-02-27
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| BLESS THAT STOVE
IL By JUNE L. JOHNSON.
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Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure NeWspa-
per Syndicate.)

1919, by the Mcclure NeWspa-
per Syndicate.)
"Now, mumsey, don't worry! Well
get along all right. Give my love to
Cousin Sue and tell her hope she'll
soon be better. And don't tire yourself
out caring for her. Yes, I'll remem-
Der to feed the cat, and that Bob Is
fond Of pudding, and that the iceman
comes on Thursday. and-mumsey' 90
hurry or you'll miss your train!"
With a gay wave of her hand, Mar
gerry s. watched her mother out OF
sight, and then went into the house.
A whole week of housekeeping by
herself! Margery actually hugsed
herself as she thought. Wouldn't she
prepare the greatest feasts for "a
ther and Bob?. She'd make thelr
mouths water! -.
Lets see, what time is 1t now"
mused Margery, slipping into a glng'
ham apron that enveloped her from
head to foot. "Quarter to five. Time
to get supper ready. I guess I'll nave
potatoes and salmon--and-oh! isntn
glorious to be a housekeeper" AND
Margery whirled around the room 10
yet rid of some of her bottled.up de-
light. ..
It was the second day of Radford
BIS furlough. As he disconsoIatefy
wandered aboat the town ne wondered
ploomily what to do with the time on
his hands. Suddenly something hap
pened!
He was starting up a new street,
when out. of the corner house VISION
in blue and white. with flying brown
curls, came dashing into his arms, SO
1t seemed
"Oh, Tom" breathed the vision, VINO
by this time had taken the shape OF
very pretty, very excited young girl,
do come in and see if you can fix our
kitchen range! The old thing won't
oh II beg your pardon!" And the girl
backed away in great confusion and
astonishment.
81 say, what's the natter" ex-
claimed Radford, Tegaining his breath
and finding out that he liked this
rather extraordinary proceeding than
otherwise.
"Oh, please excuse me-" stammered
Margery; II thought you were Tom
R, one Of our neighbors! Hes a
sailor, too, and you look exactly like
him"
I'm strry l disappointed you," re-
turned Radford with an amused smile.
"You seem to be- in trouble. Pardon
me, but can't l assist you?"
"If you don't mind" dimpled Mar
gerry, II would like you to see if you
could fix the old thing"
Ten minutes later flushed Radford
with a smudgy face Strengthened up
from over the stove and announced
cheerily to Margery: "lt's all right
now; it was only clogged up. You
can use It,"
With a relieved sigh Margery drop
ped into a chair. "How can ever
thank youy she said. II never could
have fixed it myself. and I should
have had to wait until father came
home, or Bob. Oh. don't you want to
wash your face?"-jumping up-"it's
rather dirty"
IT think you said when you came
III that you had no particular place
to co." began Margery. "Would you"
she gasped at her own boldness, but
bravely flnished-"care to stay--for
supper-with father, Bob and me,?"
Egg beaters, spoons, cake tins, sift.
ers and such were very much in evi.
dence during the next half-hour, while
very pink checked Margery and Rad
ford. with an apron on, too, hurried
back and forth, both chatting merrily
as they worked.
Imagine Mr.. SIS and Bob's sur
prise when they came home that eve
ming to be met at the door by radi'
ant Margery fourishing an egg beat
er, while behind her loomed tall
good-looking sailor, with broad grin
on his ruddy face.
"Folks," began Margery excitedly
please meet"
But she never finished, for with one
leap Bob S. reached the side of Rad
ford, and exclamations such as these
issued from the eager lips Of the twt
young men:
"Great Scott! You here? Why,
thought I'd lost track Of you forever
How the world"
"Why didn't you tell me you livet
In this district? I'd been up herr
yesterday. first thing! Boy, but IT.
good to see a familiar facet"
With eyes wide open, Margery stare,
at the excited two, who were shaking
hands vigorously, and pummeling eacl
other on the back. Had they gon