The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-03-01
eEJS HER WISHES
sy ELLA \. PEARcL

All the preparations were completed
for Annals wedding: and Anna herself,
giving u lingering. wistful glance a
the outspread bridal finery In her pref
ty room, turned to her mother with
sigh of relief.
"EverythlhR ready and ahead Of
time. Aren't we wonderful. Munster
Then, suddenly ducking her head In
a comically childish way, she slipped
to the elder wOman's side and w0uno
loving arms about her.
$50 soon, dearest-so soon!" she
murmuretI, 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 quaver. "And suppose my
little girl is very happy now"
ANNA lifted her head and her eyes
were twinkling.
MOT absolutely happy. Mumsie."
She tapped of her words ON upheld
fingers. zone. two. three-three things
more l need to make me absolutely
happy"
"Why, ANIMAL" Mrs. Leeds looked
anxious. II can't imagine what you
have In mind. What more could you
wish for?'
There are three things" repeated
Anna. "Firstly. I wish Van Tredwell
would fall In love with somebody else"
"What's the second wish, AnnaT
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 Mather 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 1t isr
Mrs. Leeds shook her head.
swell, 1 wish that someone will give
me spinet desk for q wedding pres
emit"
Then Mrs. Leeds laughed mirthfully.
"Anna! Anna! you are such child"
She sat 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 Tredweal's
boy;sh attentions; his bashful gallan.
tries; his bitter disappointment at the
end.
Then the boarding school friendship
with Lois Mather. How delightful and
satisfying that had been while 1t last
ed. No girl since that time had ever
been the understanding friend. the en-.
Pertaining companion Lois Mather had
been.
Mrs. Leeds brought letter to Annals
room In the sunset hour.
big box has come. Something
Grated. -. she informed her daughter.
shall l hdkc.a Josh open 1t for your
ayes. And fHal be right down"
Anna was opening her letter with q r
queer expression on her face. It was
from Lois Nfather.
"rve heard Of your coming marriage
and the news set me thinking Of old
tines, Anna, dear" the letter ran.
"And 1t seemed te me you would like
to know Of my new happiness. too. I
never had friend like you, Anna"
Anna winked back a ready tear.
"He's a man from your own town
one Of your neighbOrs. Isn't 1t stranget
But the moment Van Tredwell and
met 1t was a case Of love at sight.
You know how those things happen
It was Van who told mo
Of your engagement. Van can't get
away Just now. but want to come to
your wedding. Anna, II you'd like mo
to-"
"Oh!" cried Anna, dazed by the sud-
den surprise Of the news. Van Tired
well and Lois Mather! Met-engag-
ed-Lois coming to her wedding! She
turned to the letter again.
"The present is Vans, but the idea
is mine" were the next words she read.
"Men never know what to buy for
weddings. But remember how fond
you were of Old-fashioned things
and"
Mother" called Anna excitedly over
the railing. SIS that big box open yeti
Is 1t from vanf Don't tell mel know
what 1t is before see It."
She hurried down the stairs, talking
breathlessly. Mother, the strangest
thing has happened. Vans In love with
the incest girl ever. Lois Aather's
coming to my wedding. And-she told
Van to send that-she always thought
of the right thing"
ayes. There's your spinet desk"
nodded Mrs. Leeds.
For moment, Anna gased at the
much desired new gift. Then. with
Van Tredwell's card in one hand and
Lois Mather's letter In the other. her
head dropped to her mothers shout