Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-09-23

vanished. Ste caught voices outside
to rearward--in two minutes he was
back. smiling down ut her TO say:
yonder~:o make sure Of my guests"
Lettice stepped In front Of him,
spread her skirt, stamped her foot,
and said "Shoo! Shoo-O" energetical-
ly. waving him back, but he only
laughed and walked outside, waiting
for her. however, upon the lowest
step. As she Joined him she began to
run, saying breuthlessly: "Babs Is
blowing arrival-Td know our horn
among million. must be there
when they come"
A family Of degree clambered down
from the big touring car-Madam
Hale, huddle Of grandchildren of as
tern Of family retainer. Babs in
khaki, at the wheel. called plaintively ::
shelter and food. Lead us to them"
'.This way" Graham answered,
shaking hands right and left. In u
wink he had marShGled the HalcS
compactly-with Lettuce shepherding
behind it was no trick to have them
seated at luncheon five minutes later,
I'LL talking ut once. eNclaimins joyous
ly over the wonderful hill country.
Formal presentations We're unthought
of-how WIS he to know that BabS,
who was only less adorable than Let
tice, was officially Miss Barbara Sell
lers, his house-mate's sometime
tinnCee!
Joe Built stopped dead ut sight of
the feeding family, rubbed his eyes,
nuttered, Am l seeing things?" then
tried to slip away. III vain-he was
captured ingloriously, dragged back,
and made to understand that Old
George expected every man to do his
duty. Worse still. room was made for
him ut Bnrbnra's elbow, but Lettuce
opposite helped out in her role of
comic relief. Their cross-fire of jeSts
made Graham fairly murderous, but
he was saved from breaking out by
Madam's artless catechism. which
ranged from the water and milk sup
ply to town politics. the minister's
age, and Judge Hamblin's pedigree.
What with talk and eating, the lin.
gering locksmith finally surprised
them. II said: a dead lambs TALL "
he excused himself naively to Let
tice. as all hands trOoped across the
road. Graham, OH the other hand
wished he had fingered longer1it
would have given further chance to
add supper to luncheon. Only he
grinned derision Of Joe, struggling
along glum and sour, between the
twin grandsons, right behind Babs
who gave baby Eileen her undivided
attention. Lettuce was excuse enough
for anything, Graham decided-still
after all ones rawlings against the in
constant fair, he had NO business Il
be thus swiftly consoled. 1t served
him quite right that In the procession
to the mokehouse-where, tru'
enough, the key was found, hung to I
nail inside-he was struck Will
Babs, and the two Jagged so far be
hind it was plainly Intentional.
Followed much merry moving ant
Encouragement Of cases. boxes, jars
barrels, even jugs, in the rejuvenateC
pantry and kitchen. Lettice ordered
unerringly. and was implicitly obeyed
With the last thing In place she drew
long, happy breath, saying to era
ham: Tin so grateful tony absent
mind. If I had remembered properly
none Of this would have happened
We might have wasted half the sum
mer getting to know our neighbors-'
II mean to trust you with nnothe
key" Graham began significantly. Sh'
flashed away from him, flushing beau
tifully. Smiling. he followed her t.
the sasging garden gate. 1t had beer
opened recently. Inside. under honey
suckles in full flower, they saw Jo'
and Babs, with locked hands and eye
Of ecstasy. "Why-I do believe he'
the man," Lettice breathed rather thar
said
And I know she's the woman,
Graham supplemented. "They hav,
found the key they lost-the key t,
happiness"