The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-16
Epening Story
Picnic Lunch for Two.
By FREDERICK HART.

SlanI1ng nneS OF the ram lHdl DeSit the
dust in the road to iathery mud and
dripped musicalIy from the cutters
around the broa piazza of her home.
"Of course" she said to her mother,
who was sewing in the next room. "of
course, 1T had to rain-on this day of
all days! believe Nature-has a sps-
cial grudge against picnics. Yesterday
/ was clear. and day before yesterday
and I'm sure that tomorrow will be.
But today
y We'll dear, if tomorrow is clear, you
can have your picnic then" Mrs.
SANKEY'S voice was-absent- She was
considering a problem in embroidery,
and was not just sure how to attack
| il. Her daughters petulant voice re-
Piled. We'll. if we put IT off till to-
morrow It'll rain tomorrow-that' 8
sure" Mrs. Stanley made no reply and
Marguerite turned to contemplation of
the dresry rain.
Suddenly her face changed from an
expression of woe to one of wonder.
Thru the driving rain that rendered
objects fndistin guishable at any dis
tance figure, oilskinned and
| souwestered. was beating its way-Iik e
a schooner lacking against strong
gale. The figure carried something
bulky under its arm, and it was com
ing UP the sidewalk toward the house
vest 1t was actually turning in at
the gate. Who would come so early in
the morning and in such weather {?
The figure vanished as it mounted the
'front.' steps, and an instant later the
dooroeH peaied. Marguerite, in her
haste to see who it was, hurried, to the
door ahead of the maid, and in a
moment was confronting a familiar
1igure who stood. grinning and drip
Ping, on the porch.
Why, Billy Watson" she cried
What on earth are you dong ou- in
such weather? You must be soaked
your shoes. And what's that you
nave under your arm %
Billy Watson grinned wider and
SHOOK himself. A process that caused
marguerite to retreat hurriedIy out of
range OF the flying drops that shot
from his oilshin. Then The spoke.
it q' ro ba sd the day of TIE pienic, isn't
rainy to so to Boggs Woods. So I
thought I'd come up here and have
a little picnic OF my own7-wfth YOU,
"OhV Surprise held Marguerite
speechiess. Billy.went on:
There's some junk to eat in that
bundle, and it didn't get wet, either.
brought sandwiches and cake, and
there's coffee in a thermos bottle.
suppose you have something, too.
We can have our own picnic right
here in your house.
You crazy! You can stay. of course
but why did you bring the things to
! cat? Wen have a nice lunch with
mother, and get some one over in the
afternoon to play bridge, and
We VIII not!' BiIly's voice was
very definite. After 1 went to all ,xhls
trouble to wag this food and such over
here-and you offer me lunch. I'm
going home" He turned toward the
step, but she caught his arm and
dragged him inside. Come in. Billy,
and don't be an idiot" she said. Wen
eat anything you want, only come in
before you catch your death OF cold. .
Mrs. Stanley greeted Billy warmly,
Tor she knew and liked him; but she.
TOO. seemed unimpressed at the idea OF
a picnic lunch s.Ffftell Dinah to Law
another cover for lunch" she said, and
vanished on her mission, despite the
| protests of herMguest.
Left to themselves, the two stared
I at one another for a moment. and
the Marguerite burs. into laughter.
Your picnic isn't going to work,
biily, she said. Even mother won't
! let you behave like a heathen You'll
nave to eat a respectable luncheon,
and play bridge this afternoon, like
a good boy"
Billy struck an attitude. "Never."
he detained dramatically. Never
nave decreed a picnic, and a picnic
there shall be, In one second and a
half' gentle maiden. you will find your
self transported into the midst Of
that rug'n do" he suddenly added,
dropping his pose. ITS green. Come
here" He caught Marguerite by the
arm and made her sit on the rug.
You are now seated In the midst of a
bosky dell" he announced. This
dragging fern from it's place in the
windoW-frepresents the official bosk-
J mess. / now spread the cloth"-his
handkerchief was laid flat on the floor
land, dragging up the picnic basket
our hero and heroine fell to with
Will" He suited the action to the
word, and opened ibis bundle, disclos-
ing some discouraged looking sand
witches and a huge slice of chocolate
cake Hooked it from the kitchen
when Sally wasn't looking" he an
nounced proudly. Eat, pretty >crea-
ture.. eati'' Offering her a sandwich
ugh! They're all soggy!" Mar
! gperite was too weak from laughter
| Sandwiches are always soggy at
picnics-cohfound it, I knew I'd for
gotten something
What now?''
II forgot to bring an ant. All pic
mics are ATTENDED by at least one ant.
could have got one as easily as not.
fforgetfuI?"
Billy Marguerite choked over
her sandwich, do you know you're an
awful idiot?''
I'm always idiotic at picnics-have
another sandwich? No more2 Then
we must consider the eating part fin
ished. We shall now recline ON the
rockS-those cushions will do nicely
and consider the universe in its more
peripatetic attitudes-let me help you
over the fallen log to your niche in
the cool granite Escorting Mar
guerite gravely to the pile of cushions
he had thrown on the floor and sink
ing down beside her. what a won
derful view from herei Your eye
sweeps over the magnificent perspec-
Billy, Did say you could hold my
hand?"
Everybody holds hands at picnics.
and, anyway, I intended. on this par
ticular picnic, to- say. MargeT
| She was looking away from him. ap-