The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-28
A hIan Anu A Sickle

IA MMA Purdy let her hand rest iln- E geringly on her husbands shoul-
 der. T wish you were going, dear" she said.
 He patted her cheek "Now, don't fret about me, I'll get along fine. It isn't as if liked junketing, you know. I'd only be going to keep you. company, and you'd have plenty of that with Mrs. Laurence and Wilma Fall and Miss Gibson. If Laurence were going I might, but, as it is, I'll have lot bet ter time staying at home and doing odd jobs. expect to go round all day in my shirt sleeves without a necktie." Emma smiled, treasured. Well, Hhave a good time whatever you do" she said. Then she looked once more into the hall mirror to see if her hat was straight and ran out to join the party of friends who were waiting for her in their car.
 Its going to be a glorious day." Mrs. Laurence said. She it was who drove the car with the skill of a man, and Emma watched her shift gears with admiration and a little envoy. She and Lewis did not possess a car, although it was one of their dreams to do so.
 Left your husband alone, eh?'' queried Miss Gibson. Miss Gibson was one of those women who find hus- bands superfluous, to say the least, and she always found something critical to say of other women's life partners. When the cats away the mice will play, you know, Emma"
 Dear, yes! It's hardly safe to leave one's man at home alone nowadays D Wilma Fall always echoed Miss Gibson. If Jack were not away himself I'd hardly have felt 1 could take this trip today"
 Mrs. Laurence laughed in her big, hearty way. "All husbands don't re- quire watching" she said. Mine doesn't. I haven't the least fear either of them will get into mischief"
 Certainly not" Emma spoke with fervor. T know just what Lewis will be doing all day. He'll read with his feet on the veranda rail, then he'll eat the lunch I left for him, then he'll take a snooze and after that he'll hoe in his garden"
 By the way, how is your garden
 "Oh, fine! You must see it. I've fox gloves that high" She measured between her two hands.
 
 ing and the chatter cased.
 Emma Purdy had a delightful day. She was one of those quiet, domestic little women who do not get away from home often, and the days excursion was treat in every sense of the word. Still, when the car stopped before her own door in the scented June dusk, she stepped out with a sigh of gladness at being safely home again.
 Her husband arose from his seat on the porch and met her with kiss.
 Tired, old girl? Have a good time ?'
 'Of course, I'm. tired, Lewis. We did 150 miles. Mrs. Laurence didn't seem to mind the drive a bit. We lunched at the Mountain house on a number of the most delicious things. Claudine Gibson wasn't nearly as caus- tic as usual and I've enjoyed every minute. How have you been"
 Well, to tell the truth, dear, it's been long day. 1 missed you being round to talk to. Half the fun of reading and lounging is knowing that you are near. So I worked more than I intended"
 'Hoed the garden?"
 Twice over. Oh, by the way, I've got little surprise for you" A SufpFlSes AeWlS HOW nice or you! What is it?"
 Wait till morning. It's the kind of surprises that don't show up except by daylight"
 What can it be-" Emma was mys- tified and pleased Could it be that he had really finished that trellis he had been so long making for her red rambler and set it up? That must be it. The old dear!
 Emma came near oversleeping next morning, for the long days outing had tired her greatly. Lewis awakened her just in time to make his coffee and fry his eggs. Then he kissed her and hur- ried forth. As he was going down the walk he called back:
 "Oh! I forget to tell you, Emma. You'll find that surprise of which I told you in your garden"
 There! I knew it. It's the trellis," |" Emma thought as she clapped on her garden hat and ran out of doors.
 As she reached the tiny green gate that led her into her flower garden, her particular domain, she paused.