The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1921-08-26
A FAMILY AFFAIR
BY CORA e. CRAWFORD.

rived via messenger.
who's the nutT sardonically In.
CURED her brother.
Robert, do you think that's nice"
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 no
ticeably downcast during the meal.
Just then the phone rang AMI put
an end to any further chickering's. Bob
arose with alacrity and flushed eager
ness, not unmixed with hope, and
dashed to answer the call. His vibrant
voice was quite audible In the dining
room.
"Yes-yes, it's Bobl No, I
wasn't going! :. You-you mean
TT oh, I say, don't. You needn't
be sorry; 1t wasn't your fault-it was
all mine Well, let's forget 1t
(. Forgive you? Course When
will you be ready7 Be there?
You betcher! Am glad you
cailedl 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
Its 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
hooking ralllery in Betty's any the
easier to bear.
"Who's the nut. Bobbie? That fluffy
little Kitten that has been purring
round you lately? Imagine girl an
swering to the name of Kitten! You've
rubbed her fur the wrong way, have
you? That's why he couldn't eat his
dinner, motherw jeered Betty, provok-
ingly.
"Betty, dear, don't. You know Kit
tens very sweet. And she likes Bob,
I'm sure" mother FASTENED to soothe
with q 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
solved. Mother sat dreamily on at the
table. She was smiling quietly and
systematically to herself. For she had
a thought all her owni
Three weeks later the grand
masque of the Literary club "came
Off" The masque was the unique ell
max Of the successful season.
Following announcement, each char
acter, made immortal by some famous
author or poet, was obliged to walk
the full length of the hall, the or
chestra playing proper accompanying
strains. Appropriate applause greeted
each presentation. but II was when
Romeo and Juliet were announced that
the "house came down." so to speak.
There was much applause, a great
deal Of laughter, and some signs. For
there were six Romeos and six
Juliets! (When will this romantic tale
cease to intrigue the heart of youthN
But by what tragedy had one Romeo
been Julietless! The sighs Of relief
went up to the God Of Chance, who
had thus ordered an even number
ning-"the best ever" both Romeo and
Juliet thought to themselves.
"You dance divinely!" breathed Ro-
meo once, emerging from his assumed
character.
"And your she murmured. giving
his hand responsive pressure.
Again, Just before unmasking time,
"Who ARE your" demanded Romeo,
intensely. He was quite sure she was
no one he had ever known.
"Why, Juliet, to be sure-till II
O'clock" demurely.
"And then" leaning closer. II shall
always be-Romeo, but who will YOU
beT His voice trembled little.
Maybe-Juliet She skillfully
evaded his embrace and he followed
her into the hall again, for well he
knew that there were five other Re-
meos that had cast covetous eyes up
on his Juliet, and many other youths
who evidently forgot that only Romeos
should be eligible to Jullets. AS for
Juliet, she was not averse to her
cavaliers insistence.
Almost before they knew Il, I'M
masking time was upon them. They
were thrilled through and through I
Palpitatingly masks were removed and
eager eyes sought eager eyes. Then,
across their faces, there chased in
rapid succession many, many emotions.
Eagerness gave place to blank astonlsh-
ment, swift and startling, not unmixed
with wonder and incredulityl Then
unbelief, wild denial. cold horror, a
great deal Of sheepishness and embar-
rassmentl
But keen sense Of humor finally
asserted itself and there came a twin
kle of amusement, followed by burst
Of healthy, hearty, appreclative laugh
ter. Admiration was the final express
sion in the eyes Of both.
"Some Julieti" whole-heartedly con-
ceded Bob.
"Some Romeoi" echoed Betty.
Then, as both caught mothers merry |
and satisfied eye in the balcony, "Some
schemer" they murmured.