The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-11-11
THE DAILY
STORY
Picnic Lunch For Two
By FREDERICK HART
Copyright, 1920, by the Mcclure
Newspaper SyndiCate.)

and dripped musicalIy from the
cutters around the broad piazza OF
her home.
"Of course" she said 10 her
mother, who was sewing In the
next room, "of course 1t had to
rAin-on this the day Of all days!
/ believe Nature has special
grudge against picnIcs. Yesterday
was clear, and day before yester-
day-and I'm sure that tomorrow
will be. But today is
well, dear. II tomorrow is clear
4 you can have your picnic then.
Mrs. Stanley's voice was absent
She was considering u problem in
embroidery. and was not just sure
how to attack 1t. Her daughters
petulant voice replied, We'll. II
we put if off TIL tomorrow, it'll
rain tomorrow-that'ss sure Mrs
Stanley made no reply and Mar
guerlte turned to contemplation Of.
the dreary rain.
SUDDENLY her face changed from
an expression of woe 10 one OF
wonder. Through the driving rain
that rendered objects indisting-
Unstable at any distance Il figure,
oilsklnned and sou westered, was
beating its way like schoOne,
lacking against a strong gale. The
figure carried something bulky un-
der is arm, and IL was coming up
the sidewalk toward the house
yes. II was actually turning in
at the gate. Who would come so
early III the morning and in such
i..1, q
1t mounted the front steps, and an
tNStanL later the doorbell pealed.
, Marguerite, in her haste to see who
1t was hurried TO the door ahead
OF the maid, and in a moment was
confronting familiar figure who
9Dd grinning and dripping, on
tie porch.
why, Billy Watson" she cried.
what on earth are you doing out
in such weather? You must be
soaked--our shoes! And what's
that you have under your arm?"
Billy Watson grinHcd wider mad
shook himself A process That
caused Marguerite to retreat hur-
riedly out Of range OF the flying
drops that shot from his oilsktn.
Then he spoke.
"Today's the day Of the picnic.
isn't til" ho demanded. And it's
too rainy TO so 10 Bogg's woods.
so / thought I'd come up here and
have a little picnic OF my own
with you"
''Oh!" Surprise held Margue-
rite speechless. Billy went on.
There's some junk To eat in
st bundle. and It didn't get wet,
Ether l brought sandwiches and
fake, and there's coffee in the
,thermos bottle. suppose you have
something too. We can have our
own little picnic right here in your
house."
you crazy! You can stay. of
course, but why did yoa bring
the things 10 eat? Well have a
nice lunch with mother. and get
some one over i'll the afternoon to
play bridge, and ..
1--WE will not" Billy's voice was
very definite. After / went to all
this trouble to wag this food and
such over here--and you offer me
lunch. I'm going home" He turn
sd toward the step, but she caught
his arm and dragged him inside.
Como in. Billy, and don't be an
IDIOT" she said. well eat any
where you want, only come in be-
fore you catch your death of cold"
IMrs, Stanley greetSu Billy
armIy, for she knew and liked
him but she too, seemed unimpres-
sed at the idea Of a picnic lunch.
stI'lI tell DInah TO lay another COW
Or for lunch" she said and vanish
sd on her mission, despite the pro-
tests of her guest.
Left to themselves, the two star
ed at one another for moment,
and then Marguerite burst into
laugter. you'll have to eat
respectable luncheon, and play
bridge in the afternoon, like
good boy"
BILLY struck an attitude. "Ncv-
sr!' he acclaimed dramatically.
Never shall / be baked OF me
!. 1eII purpose! / have decreed
lpicnic, and a picnic there shall be!
In one second and half, gentle
maiden, you will sfind yourself
transported into the midst Il
that rugll do" he suddenly I'D
ded, dropping his pose. Its
green, Come here" Ho caught
Marguerite by the arm and made
her sit on the rug. You are now
seated in the midst Of bosky
dell" he announced. i'Thls,
dragging a fern from it's place in
the window-"rep-eEen the eff
cial boskiuess. now spread the
cloth" his handkerchief was laid
flat on the floor-"and dragging
up the picnic basket, our hero and
heroine fell to with will" He
suited the action to the word, and
opened his bundle, disclosing some
discourage docking sandwiches
and q huge piece OF chocolate cake.
"Hooked It from the kitchen when
sally wasn't looking" he announe-
ed proudly. Eat, pretty creature,
eat!" offering her sandwich.
ugh They're all sOggy!" Mar
Euerite was too weak from laugh
ter to resist.
? Sandwiches are always soggy
ut picnics-confound It! l knew
. I'd forgotten something"
What noW?"
~ forgot to bring an ant. All
picnics are attended by at least one
ant. / could have got one as easily
as not. The party is spoiled. why
was so forgetful?"