The Meeker herald., 1919-08-02
When a Maid
Laughs
icobyright. 81 Mcclure Nswapspsr
0yndicAtA)
., BERTHA 4 neDoNALD

0yndieAtA)
When John Lawrence left his home
on the outskirts Of town and took the
little path along the railroad be
walked a. though be were treading 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 bis days rainbow. beckon-
ing him on toward everlasting happs.
ness. Llllitb had given him to- under
stand that afternoon that she really
cnred-LilIith, 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 iu-
depreciation.
May come-tonightf he had whfs-
pered as he was leaving her.
'Try and see," she answered eoyly
waiting him a 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 Liilith.
When he was almost In front Of the
house he heard sound Of laughter
and merrymaking from within. like q
discordant note In the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take It" he muttered. "Why
couldn't she have been alone tonight,
Of all timesf'
"Here he isl' shouted Lillith gayly.
answering his ring; "let's 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 q blushlng smile
which set his heart to beating Q brisk
tattoo. Heres the spoon. and don't you
dare stop beating until give you per-
mission"
She closed his fingers over the spoon
with an aRectionate pat. turned the
blaze . tribe higher under the chafng
dish. and then left him to play duet
with Hugh Birch. sun John had no
thought save that Of being In LlllIth's
home for Just one purpose. which he
meant to accomplish In spite Of Wis
itoes.
"why all the hilafity here this eve
ninsf' he inquired casually Of Nell
Blakesly, who had taken Z place BE-
side him At the table.
'Nothing special that I know Of. LII
llth Just telephoned late this afternoon
that she thought q chaAng dish party
would be fun. 10 We all came over"
Lillith Anderson had resosted to her
old trick Of playing with fre 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 In
his sudden command startled the girl
into obeyinR at once. q thing she was
not in the habit Of doing.
AT your service. captain" she
Knocked. salutins. soldier fashion. a.
she slipped Into the chair vacated by
Nell. "Fudge readyr'
II don't know q thing about II. and
neither do l care rapl" he answered
doggedly. II came here 10 see you
alone and you deliberately planned
this"
Glove 10 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
steamIng mass As though her very life
depended upon Il "Now. fellow citi.
sens." she called out "well soon have
something delectable to please your
sweet teeth. II John will carry Il out
to COOL"
She poured the fudge upon q platter
and held It out to him In such q half.
frightened. pleading way that. a. usual.
he fen before the spell Of her w0adsr.
full eyes and found himself carrying
the candy obediently to the bssk porch.
But dash Of the bracins night air re-
established his determination and be
tore of the apron A. he strobe angrily
Into ths nall. "Must you 90. John r
Anith asked timidly. with q faiat
note of concern In her. voice.
Il shall not stay here and have you
mock me for one more secondi You
knew-you must have knowh-I was
coming here tonight to ask you to he
my wife. and you've played with ma
Just a. long a. you're going to What's
your answerr'
He led her into the vestlbule and
shut the door. Just 40 the rest Of the
party adjourned to the back porch to
sxamine the candy. 10 they were alone.
"will you marry mef' he went on,
taking her face between his hands and
raising her eyes to the level Of his
own. Answer ns-wiil your
a peal Of hystsrical. mocking laugh.
tsf was her only reply. and John Law.