The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1920-07-15
BLESS THAT ST0VEI
BY JUNE L. JOHNSON.

out caring for her. Yes, III remem-
Der to feed the cat, and that Bob is
fond of pudding, and that the iceman
comes on Thursday, and-mumsey, do
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 Rugged
herself as she thought. Wouldn't she
prepare the greatest feasts for IA
Their and Bob? She'd make their
mouths water!
Lets see, what time is 1t now"
unused Margery, slipping into a ging'
ham apron that envelOped her from
head to foot. "Quarter to FIVE. Time
to get supper ready. I guess I'll nave
notatoes and salmon-and-oh lsntlt
glorious to be a housekeeper!' And
Margery whlrled around the room to
yet rid Of some Of her bottled-up de-
light.
It was the second day of Radford
H-~'s furlCugh. AS he disconsolateiv
wandered about the town he wondered
gloomily what to do with the time on
his Hands. Suddenly something nap
pened!
He vas starting UP a new street,
when out Of the corner house vision
in blue and white, with flying brown
curtis came dashing into his arms, 80
1t seemed.
"Oh, Tom |" breathed the vision, VINO
n nv this time had taken the shape OF
Y very pretty, very excited young girl
\ "do come, In and see If yo'i can Tx our
kitchen range! The old thing won't
= oh II beg your pardon" And the girl
: backed away in great confusion ana
y establishment.
l. II say, what's the natterT ex-
claimed Radford, segaining his breath
y and finding out that he liked TINS
n rather extraordinary proceeding than
\ otherwise.
: "Oh, please excuse me- stammered
Margery: II thought you were Tom
y Re-. one of our neighbors! He's a
h sailor, too, and you look exactly like
\ him."
- arm sorry disappointed YOU, re-
81 turned Radtord with an amused smile
" lyon seem to be in trouble. PARDON
h me hit can't | Assist you?
IF you don't mind" dimpled Mar
- rery. 81 would like you to see II yo'
n could fix the old thing"
u Ten minutes later flushed Radfor'
with a smudsy face Strengthened u
~ from over the stove and announce
~ cheerily to Margery: Its all rlgh
= now. it was only clogged up. 70
can use It,"
= With a relieved sigh Margery drol
TO. ned into a chair. How can eve
at thank you?" she said. II never coul
ots have fixed 1t myself, and | shouI
did have had to walt until father can
'elu home, or Bob. Oh, don't YOU want
~ wash your face?-~jumping up--1'
rather dirty"
Jon ~ think you said when you can
OF IN that you had no particular pla
to 60" began Margery. "Would you
she gasped at her own boldness' D
bravely fnished-"care to stay
n, supper--with father, Bob and meF
and Egg heaters, spoons, cake tins, 81
,onv ers and such were very much IN e
~ ~ dence during the next half-hour' wn
~ Nv, very pink checked Marsery and II,
own ford, with an apron on, too, hurrl
ohe hack and forth, both chatting merr
as they worked.
Imagine Mr.. SIS and Bob's s
I'd. mise when they came home that e
ming 70 be met at the door by ra
ant Margery fourishing an egg be
~ while behind her doomed Z
pood.looking sailor, with a broad g
on his ruddy face.
'Folks," began Margery exclte'
=. "please meet"
'ulsl- f,ut she never finished, for with
'f'sA lean Bob s. reached the side OF Il
VIZ. ford, and EXPLANATIONS such as tn
q ouG issued from the eager lips OF the
Par young men: ,,
,,har- "Grest Scott! You here? VIII.
liver thought I'd lost track Of you fore'
ID to How the world"
and "why didn't you tell me you Il
IN this district? I'd been up
Yesterday, first thing! Boy, but
rooi TO see familiar facet"
y a,,; IIe with eyes wide open, Marsery ST
rs for at the excited two, who were sha
,ribed hands vigorously, and pummeling
Par other on the back. Had they
siana, crazy? But Radford settled her DO
by explaining to her with twinl
n less, eyes: "1ts my turn to introduce
it No. q, Your brother Bob and l are
t. Hell. friends; we roomed together IN col
md nm and we haven't seen each other
Real. graduation" :.
old nv That night the little party gati
:, "a nrorhd the supper table.
- lands md, After a merry evening, Radfor !,
+, la ., parted, but not until he had lei
Luther ~. NV, ,ronises to return and