Evening star., 1922-09-26
Summer Widower's Ways.

~ HE breakfast room in the old
Leland house was really one Of
its pleasantest rooms. Sunlight
Il streamed through the long
French doors and windows. The hexa-
gon-shaped table was a cody size, and
this particular morning. when the spot
was vibrant with the babies laughter
and droll babble. Grandfather Leland
leaned back in his chair to smile with
just the joy of living. His daughter
was presiding gravely at the big coffee
urn.
"How's the headache, dear?" he asked
tenderly.
Much better" Merriam's voice was
quiet Too quiet. her father thought,
as he eyed her anxiously. His guest.
Richard Slocum, came through the
doorway with Rassy at !. his me heels: s.on.,or
patted small Dicks shoulder and pinched
Ricky's plump cheek.
us is going to have a picnic Ricky
announced. merry and Grandy and
Dicky and Ragsy and me and old Peter
ARE you asked?"
Il guess I'm not" he laughed.
informed him. ut will probably be a
riot from start to finish. For this
cruel mother will not want her offspring
to eat positively inedible food, and this
doting grandpapa will keep sneaking
them things they shouldn't have, and
any dispositions left whatever. Well
be just swapping at each other
Her father laughed.
"Au this unmerited diatribe-" he
began.
"Who bought dozen red bananas and
a dozen yellow bananas. both Of which
were green bananas" Merry interrupted
sternly, 'and gave the bag to two
naughty. bad children, who opened the
bag without waiting for their mother
to tell them they could?"
Two small red heads drooped. One
silver-haired head pretended to droop.
Richard laughed at the three of them.
my, but they're scared Of their ty-
rant he teased. Will you express my
regrets to the Raner LADY," He changed
the conversation abruptly. She asked
me to this dinner dance Of hers tonight.
but I'm off on the noon train. Told her
SO, but she kept on asking"
you going to the BlaisdelIs?" Her
dark eyes were lifted somberly to his
He shook his head.
"Won't see Thorne until Tuesday
We've a luncheon engagement then
He turned to his host. ''Thorne has
new hobby" he added. IAN all-fruii
diet at noon. / shall order very
rare steak and eat 1t slowly to tanta-
lize him."
Merriam was in the pantry helping
cook with the luncheon hamper wher
Richard came to the door to tell heI
goodbye.
BULLY of your dad and you to take
me in overnight" he said. Thanks
J awfully for being so hospitable."
She nodded to the cook and stepped
through the swing door. Against The
dark paneling of the old dining room
her pallor was startling. She put hel
hand on his arm.
| "Rich." she said. will you tell Uncle
Thorne how sorry I am-that l didn''
mean to go off without word-tha a,
| l didn't know" her voice tremblec
slightly. II would be visiting dad sc
long?'
derstand. T. he stammered awk.
wardly. wouldn't worry II were you
But he couldn't trust himself te
touch her hand. He bolted out into
] the hallway like a dismissed school.
hoy. a a:.uost running down the buxon
Mrs. Rayner.
The widow was dressed rather gaily
| for q woman Of her years. A broad
brimmed. flower r-decked hat shaded
her carefully rouged countenance. Sh'
cooed her distress over Mr.. Slocum'!
! inability to attend her party. Al
ready she had slipped an arm abou
! Merriam's unyielding waist.
| I'VE are all trying to make thi:
little girls visit home pleasant, sh'