Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-07-15
A HAPPY REUNION
sy MINNIE DEARsoRNE.


before his train was due TO leave. He
when he felt heavy hand on his
shoulder and turning around, he was
exceedingly surprised to greet his
old friend and college chum, Dick Har-
ringtOn. After the usual exclams-
tons and hearty hand-shakes, they
proceeded to taIk Of their college days
and bushes interests. Excuse me. |
had quite forgotten TO inquire about
Mrs. Jack Harding" Jack blew
pun of smoke into the air, and turn
ing TO his friend. said: Dick, | have
never had the pleasure OF meeting
Mrs. Jack Harding" Dick looked at
Jack with qulzzical smile. and a
merry twinkle In his dark eyes. After
/ heard that Jean and you We're en-
gagged, l expected every day To receive
an invitation to the wedding, and for
some time | scanned the dailies 10 SEE
where Jack Harding had succumbed
to the charms OF the beautiful Miss
Jean Wetherbee, only daughter OF
Hon. and Mrs. Douglas Grant Weth-
erbee." Dick suddenly closed his re-
cital, as Jack moved uneaslly, and toss
ing his cigar away, exclaimed with APP
parent surprise: "Dick, Jean and |
were very happy until her mother de-
cided TO take Jean on European trip
for several months. After an absence
OF four months, which had seemed
lifetime to me- | received word that
they We're about 10 return. To which
was looking forward to happy meet
ing with Jean, and vowed nothing
would separate us again.
Father called me into his office one
morning and told me / must pack at
once and sail for England. II was OF
the utmost Importance. The business
had to be attended to at once Father
whs not able 10 make the trip. l
was 10 remain away at least three
months. and then 20 TO Paris for sew
ersI weeks. tried in vain to per-
suade father to send Proctor. who
had been for years in his employ.
There was nothing left for me to do
but pack and leave on the next boat
for Liverpool.
81 had just time to attend to these
details and write q hurried note of
regret to Jeans home to be delivered
TO her on her arrival 7 was not so
busy but found time 10 write every
day TO Jean but all my letters were
returned To me unopened. This made
me feel very down-hearted. as | had
explained everything. If Jean had only
been reasonable and read my letters.
II was just five months to "A day when
I returned TO the States
ut did not take me long To spin
In the direction OF Jeans home only
10 find she had left the day before
on western trip. | could find out
very little from the servants, until one
of them came with package that
Jean had left TO be delivered TO me.
II contained, with other presents. the
engagement ring. That was five years
ago. / have never seen her or heard
from her since"
Jack paused and hastily looking NJ
his watch. exclaimed: We'll. Dick, II
has got to be good-by. / have lust
time to make my train" Dick grasped
Jacks arm and with firm but kindly
voice. exclaimed: DO you suppose |
have found you TO lose you so soon?
You are not going on that train. You
are going home with me. | want you
tn SEE Elsie again. You know Jean
and Elsie used tn be the dearest
of friends. | want YOU to see my new
home and how happy we are know
Elsie will be delighted TO meet an old
friend" said Dick hurriedIy as he
saw Jack was about To decline.
After few more urgent appeals
Jack was convinced. Dick telephoned
rom his Office To Elsie he was TO
bring home an old friend tn dinner.
Dick stopped his car at what jack
thought the most beautiful house on
the street. Jack was made to feel
right az home by the delightful greet
ing OF Elsie. who came out To meet
them, looking up so dainty and fair.
Jack thought how fortune always
seemed to smile on his dear old
friend, Dick. while he-hls thoughts
were cut short. as he was being ush
cred into large charmingly ar
ranged living room. But who was the
woman at the piano In white. vision
of lovellness? Hearing the approach
ing footsteps and animated voices. the
lady turned. Their eyes met. Then
voices rang out simultaneously.
Mrs. Elsie made n hurried excuse 10
return to the culinary department,
closely followed by Dick.
In less than six months there was
added another beautiful suburban
home presided over by Mr. and Mrs.
Jack Harding. who are just ss happy
as the "Harrlngtons."
One morning year later Dick meet
ing Jack on the street. stopped to in.
qrire How is Mrs Jack Harding?"
Jack. his handsome face wreethed
with smiles, joyruny exclaimed: she
Is very well and 50 is Jack, Jr."