New Britain herald., 1919-09-24

kee didn't almost forget dls pooi ul baby's birfday. Never mind, he shall have somefing pretty, so he shall She interrupted herself to look up at me shrewdly.
 You ought to have d party for him." she said. "Of course, Dlcky will be home for Sunday?
 "Of course." I said confidently, steadfastly crushing down any sem blanCe of doubt
 What MaHge Faced
 in Katie's Kitchen.
 The little alarm clock at my bedside chimed it's warning notes With a start I seized it and muffled it in the bedclothng for fear it's noise would waken Junior sleeping peace fully in his crib. or even that it's shril notes might penetrate to the other bedrooms.I
 For moment-so suddenly had I awakened--I did not remember why l had set the clock SC early, when it was Saturday and I did not have to go 10 school. Then, with @ little thrill of excitement, l remem bered, Tomorrow would be my babys first birthday, and I had resolved to bake his birthday cake myself.
 I had had little heart for birthday preparations, because Dicky had re- mained obstinately silent, and I had no means of knowing whether or not he meant to swallow the ultimatum he had given me when he had left for the city weeks before. Because of this l had not discussed the matter with Mother Graham at all, and, curiously enough, she had said noth- ing to me on the subject. But I had made hurried trip to the city on the Saturday previous, had purchased some gifts for my small son, and had also provided the daintiest single candle and holder that I could find in the shops for the decoration of his first cake.
 Some odd and attractive, favors had met my eyes and had drawn more money from my purse than I had expected to spend. For the idea that Dicky would surely return for Juniors first birthday was obsessing me, and in the back of my brain I cherished a plan.
 Madge Plans Fearfully.
 If he returned in time, I promised myself, l would make a little fete and gather around the first birthday cake Lillian and her little. daughter Marion, the Durkees, and-I included the Fairfax sisters with a wry face. Not that l objected to Leila in the least, but 1 had not yet reached the pinnacle of mental peace where I could contemplate with perfect equr nimity the inclusion of Edith Fairfax in so intimate a family circle. But I could not invite one sister without the other, and I shrewdly guessed that Alfred Durkee had reached the stage where he would not enjoy any occasion-let alone one so prosaic as a baby's birthday celebra- tion-Without having Leila Fairfax among those present, and that, on the other hand, any place where he could see and talk to her was pleasant enough without providing any other attraction
 My spirits were at allow ebb, how ever, as I arose and dressed, with in- finite care not to make any noise Was it possible that Dicky meant to carry out his determination not to return home, and that he would let our little sons first birthday go by without a sign? If he did not let me know his plans within the next few hours it would be too late to invite the guests I had decided on. A Complication. I am afraid if I had consulted my own selfish inclinations I would have | voted for just three persons at the 1 birthday elebration-Junior, Dicky 1 and I. But I knew that Dicky's mother, my father, Katie and Jim | m ct Sb iy, I 1 they were there, I had no objection ] to--in fact, would welcome warmly 1 the presence of such tried -and-true | friends as Lillian and the Durkees. Obviously, however, I could not ] invite these friends, dear as they were, without Dicky. I gave a little, subdued exclamation of anger at my | husbands obstinacy.
 There was but one thing to be done, i however. I would go ahead, except | for notifying Lillian and the Durkees, upon the assumption that Dicky was , coming home. Then, at the la st { minute, could telephone them, if he relented and surprised us.
 [ I completed my toilet and opened my bureau, taking from it a large ; gingham working apron which com 1 pletely covered my gown. Then, still 1 reducing all noise of my movements l to a minimum, I opened the door and ! stole down the steps to the kitchen. It was in the exquisite order in ! which Katie always keeps it, and ! forgot-or, rather resolutely pushed 1 to the back of my mind-my unhap ! piness concerning DiCky as I moved 1 around it. opening a window here 1 preparing cooking table there 1 getting together all the ingredients and utensils for the conCocting of the | mom entous cake.
 It had been months since I hac ! made a cake of any kind, and iI