Oxford Democrat., 1921-07-12

lBy Flora swstnam.,

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member OF the Book Club and Of the
Embroidery Club for several years, but
she had been . housekeeper only ak
months. Those two clubs had held
yearly union meeting for the last ten
years. That meeting Was quite popular
with the ladies Of the village, and It was
considered quite an honor to be the one
appointed to furnish the place OF enter
tainment. Daisy Was consoious Of the
honor, but housekeeping was 90 new,
and her house not very large. There
were twenty-five ladies and she knew
they would every one be present.
Marjorie May and Jane West, her two
nearest neighbors, could be counted on
to help, but what about dishes? Ne
chanically she laid the letter away and
house to rights, she planned the details.
She was sure 1t could be managed-all
but the dishes. Marjorie and Jane
would lend her anything, but she hated
to ask for dishes. She put off thinking
of that till the last thing. Perhaps there
would be some other way.
Later In the day she met Mrs. Jamie.
son, the chairman Of the program COM
mittee. That lady beamed on her.
"Well," she said, ''now I am ready to
tell you our subject for discussion. We
shall talk about Washington Irving and
read selections from the Knickerb0oker
History"
Daisy approved, Of course. It was
customary to approve the work of the
committees, but she did not know how
much she approved till she had reflected
upon 1t all the way home. It came to
her suddenly, story which she had
heard her mother tell. The story war
that when Dsisy's great grandmother
had celebrated her china wedding with
great ingathering of all the relatives,
there had been five complete sets OF
dishes OF the kind OF ware commonly
known a. blue Delft. Great grand
mother always refused to part from any
of them because they were presents from
those whom she loved, 80 they had
descended to Daisy's grandmother, and
now reposed In large box In the attic
Daisy was 80 pleased with the idea ths
she laughed aloud.
"Ill 60 and see grandmother ct once, +"
she said, and suited the action TO the
word.
She found Grandmother Carlton at
homo, and explained her errand without
delay. "If you will let me use them,
grandmother" she promised, "I'll be 80
careful that they will all come home
"Goodness, child, yes. I borrowed
part OF them several times In my early
married life."
"Oh, I'm 90 glad. And you'll be sure
| to be there, won't you? I'd like to make
you feel proud Of your granddaughter II
I can."
81 am that already, but I'll try to be
there"
Daisy went home filed with q most
delightful dream. II she pould only
carry out her plan, she felt sure the
union meeting would be grand success.
Marjorie was on the porch waiting for
her when she came.
81 have just heard that the union
meeting is going to be here" she said.
eyes. 1t scared me nearly to death
ct first" confessed Daisy. ITO think l
should have all those women descend
upon me while housekeeping is still so
new, made me think Of running away"
"Well, II was your turn, Mrs. Ander-
son said. thought OF oil that, and
wished you had been there to speak for
yourself, but Jane whispered that we'd
help you."
81 Just couldn't attend the meeting
that afternoon" replied Daisy. 81
wanted to be there very much"
"Have you made any plans?"
Eyes. That 10 what went to see
grandmother about"
Daisy began telling about the blue
Delft. Marjorie was pleased with the
notion, and while they were talking
Jane ran In.
"Do you know" she demanded, "that
the state president Of the women's clubs
of this state is going to be present at our
meetipgs"
"No," answered both together.
"Well, she is. Mrs. Jameson has >
letter from her. She Is An author OF
some Importance"
"Horrorsw cried Daisy. "What will
she think Of our arrangementsp I think
I'm frightened worse than ever now"
She hastily told Jane of her plan.
"And / intended to stencil and cut out
mills from blue cloth and baste them
neatly on the table cloths. Will she be
shocked?"
"It wouldn't shock mo-" replied Jane,
delicate as hers"
"How many tables will you havsP"
asked Marjorie.
"It will take three the size of mine,"
said Daisy. "I'll have to borrow Of you
two"
"All my earthly goods are ct your
SERVICE" declared Jane.
"Mine, too," said Marjorie.
"But will my dining room hold them?"
asked Daisy In some CONSERVATION.
"Let's 60 and look at it," suggested
Marjorie.
They went. After some planning II
was settled that 1t would do. They
decided on blue flags AZ the proper flow
ers. Marjorie said that she had always
heard that they loved low, wet places,
therefore they ought to grow In Hol
land.
SNOW" queried Jane, "what oAn you
have for tea that will keep your color
scheme blue and white?"
N0 Uoou tuiuAtuS Va tuob 8h uoyS
admitted Daisy. "It will mostly have to
be white, but the dishes will furnish thr
blue. shall have . white meat salad,
cottage cheese, and waters, some blocks
of maple sugar, frosted, . white oustard
and jam cake. The way grandmother
makes It, 1t will bs nearly blue. How
will It doP"
"It sounds all right to me-" answered
Marjorie.
"Have the tea hot" advised Jane,
with cream and . marshmallow. That
will look pretty In those blue cups"
"All right. It will be easy enough, II
We have nothing hot but the tea, and
you are two dears to help me 20 much"
Three women worked diligently dur
ing the Intervening time, and Daisy had
the satisfaction Of seeing oil her plans
materialize. When 1t was oil done, Jane |
declared the dining room dream. The
last thing had been done and nothing
forgotten.
The guests came in twos and threes. |
Tho program was original and interest |
ing, and the display OF embroidery |
artistic and unique. Almost before any
one thought of Il, It was time for tea.
The ladies gasped at sight Of the din.
ing room, and their looks of admiration