Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-08-25
A FAMILY AFFAIR
BY cora {. CRAWFORD.
IBli, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

earessing the blooms that had just ar
! rived via messenger,
who's the mutt" sardonically In
qulred her brother.
Robert, do you think that's nicer
demonstrated mother, as Betty's face
took on the deeper flush Of temper.
They were at dinner. Betty was
dressed In readiness for that cavalier
who would shortly follow his floral Of
fering. Bob had been silent and mo-
ticeably downeast during the meal.
Just then the phone rang and put
an end to any further chickering's. Bob
0 with a~Iacrity and flushed eager
ness, not unmlxed with hope, and
dashed to answer the call. His vibrant
voice was quite audible in the dining
room.
"Yes--yes, It's Bobi . No. I
wasn't golngl =. You-you mean
TT !. Oh, ! say, don't. You needn't
be sorry; 1t wasn't your fault-it was
all minei Well, let's forget It'll
Forgive your Counsel When
win you be ready? Be theref
You betcherl Am / glad you
called! Say. I'll tell the world I'm
tickled silly! And I'll tell you to-
night" lowering his voice. But the
very intensity Of his whisper burned
It's way to the ears in the dining room.
Rather sheepishly Bob resumed his
seat at the table. The fond sympathy
in his mothers eyes did not make the
mocking raillery In Betty's any the
easier to bear.
who's the nut, BObbie7 That fluffy
little Kitten that has been purring
round you lately? Imagine a girl an
swering to the name of Kitten You've
rubbed her fur the wrong way, have
y0uf That's why he couldn't eat his
dinner, mother jeered Betty, provok-
"Betty, dear, don't. You know Kit.
very sweet. And she likes Bob,
I'm sure" mother FASTENED to soothe
with a fond glance at her son..
Then Betty fastened to put on those
few necessary finishing touches, and
Bob dashed upstairs to dress. Both
were very happy and satisfied with
life. A troublous problem had been
Mother sat dreamily on at the
She was smiling quietly and
automatically to herself. For she had
4 Thought oil hor nuyn /
Three weeks later the grand
nasque Of the Literary club "came
w." The masque was the unique eli
max of the successful season.
Following announcement, each char
lcter, made immortal by some famous
luthor or poet. vas obliged to walk
he full length of the hall the or
playing proper accompanying
Appropriate applause greeted
'ach presentation, but it was when
Romeo and Juliet were announced that
he "house came down." so to speak.
There was much applause, a great
'eal Of laughter, and some signs. For
here were six RomeOs and six
uliets! (When win this romantic tale
to intrigue the heart Of youthD
But by what tragedy had one Romeo
'een Julietless! The signs Of relief
vent up to the God of Chance, who
lad thus ordered mn even numheri
1t vas an absolutely perfect eve
best ever" both Romeo and
thought to themselves.
"Y0u dance divinGly!" breathed Ro-
1eo, once, emerging from his assumed
haracter.
"And you" she murmured, giving
is hand a responsive pressure.
Again, Just before unmasking time.
Who ARE you7" demanded Romeo,
Intensely. He was quite sure she was
one he had ever known.
why, Juliet, to be sure--tm 12
demurely.
"And thenT leaning closer. " shall
be-Romeo, but who will YOU
'er His voice trembled a little.
"Maybe--Julieti" She skillfully
'yaded his embrace and he followed
Ter into the hall again, for well he
new that there were five other Ro-
neos that had cast covetous eyes up
m his Juliet, and many other youths
Who evidently forgot that only Romeos
be eligible to Juliets. AS for
Juliet, she was not averse to her
,avalier's i~naistence.
Almost before they knew It, I'M
masking time was upon them. They1
we're thrilled through and throughf
'a~lpitatingly masks were removed and
eyes sought eager eyes. Then,
across their faces, there chased in
apid succession many, many emotions.
sagerness gave place to blank astonish
ncnt, swift and startling. not unmlxed
With wonder. and incredulityi Then
lnbelief, wild denial, cold horror. a
.reat deal Of sheepishness and embar-
'assmenti
But Il keen sense Of humor finally
asserted itself and there came a twin
tie of amusement, followed by a burst
4 healthy, hearty, appreciatiye laugh
or. Admiration was the final express
lion IN the eyes Of both.
Some Juliet" intellectually con-
'eded Bob,
some Romeol" echoed Betty.
Then. as both caught mothers merry
ind satisfied eye In the balcony, Some
Ichemerl" they murmured.