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^ ••• ;....-• r ,'• '.'- • :'v; , ';;x . . -_•__. . v-\ -.•'•</:•, • .yv •• \-^; psps •J Coat Tails ani Murilia By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD (Copyright.) THE thoughts of youth may be long, long thoughts but they are not half so long as the thoughts of !a single woman, Just turning tlilrty- 'fiye, who sees a desirable matrimonial prospect vanishing around the corner. That is what it seemed to Murilia that Kben Osgood, a devoted swain of tome years' standing, was doing and it was to his flapping coat talis that her long, long thought* suggested she cling. For the first time in a decade he had not invited her to the annual outing of the Kimball Wire company of which they were both employees. Morula did not know (or a fact that he intended asking anyone In her pJaec, but she held grave suspicions concerning a pert and pretty little stenographer, called Porrie Jenniwm, Wfto had lately been annexed to the office toree. She was strongly of tfce opinion that «he ought to waste no time combatting this pert and pretty person's flapper charms. Bt>en had three ways by which he might be approached. He yearned for a home in place of an odorous boarding house. He loved good food. He liked to be read aloud to of an evening. Murilia decided to get a strangle hold on those coat tails by using all three. Accordingly she waylaid Eben when the five o'clock whistle sounded. 'Tin moving to my new house tomorrow," she said a little hurrie&iy, "and hope you will drop in to see it Friday evening at eight!" Then she beat a retreat, partly to prevent further questioning, partly because she needed every minute that was left. She had used her noon hoar to draw out a rather large proportion of her savings and with the crisp new . bills she now hastened toward that faction of the city where apartment houses were springing up almost overnight like flourishing mushrooms. So reckless was her attitude that Ike was no way balked by their high prices and presently she found herself tenant of a three-room suite with a ipouth's rent paid in advance. Rapidly the proceeded to estimate, measure, consider. Her noon hour the following day was spent flitting from one store to ••otber. Fortunately only the living room and kitchen need be furnished. Don't imagine fbr a minute that Murilia was purchasing her chairs and lamps and chintzes outright She was too doubtful of the outcome to do that. Her plan was to buy them all on the Installment plan, making the smallest possible down payment. If the scheme fell through, she would surrender them Immediately, charging their initial cost to profit and loss. The agent for the apartment house had been most kind, warmly approving of • Murilla's every suggestion. Perhaps her feverish industry intrigued him or perhaps he, too, a homely old fellow of forty, was beginning to wonder if. after all, a bachelor's lot was to be his. At any rate, he evinced unmistakable pleasure When Murilia. asked his advice. Friday evening fouiid the stage as completely set for Eben as Murilia* had 'dreamed. Shaded lights, two < hairs drawn to a table on which lay three of the season's six best sellers, s bowl of yellow daisle® on the mantel. In the icebox Eben's favorite salad cooled and chicken a la king was ready to reheat. Murilia, in a new gray g?wn, her hair softly waved, became the finishing touch as she took her seat In the rash rocker with a nervousness she admirably concealed. She jumped at a sudden rap on the door. That was not Eben. Eben would have to ring and be admitted. This must be--and was--Mr. Cunaming*, the agent "Just thought rd step around and see how every little thing was!" he declared. "You certainly have got things cosy!" he added wistfully. As he advanced Into the room for a bettor view, a man brushed by htah and got there first. "I came right in, Murilia," said Bben cheerfully, "along with this man, although I guess he didn't notice me!" Mechanically, Murilia Introduced them. She had not thought to entertain two guests that evening. Resenting her predicament, she was Illogical enough tc take out her resentment on Eben, who least deserved it At last Eben rose to go and the •gent rose, too. A moment of polite good-bys and Murilia was left with her lights and her rugs and her flowers and her shattered dreams. How hateful she had been to Eben, making him feel unwelcome when he It was who had beet invited, when he It was for whom aH this existed! Suddenly, the door opened softly and Eben stepped inside "I knew that fellow would never leave till I did!" he chuckled, "so I took him'out and lost him in his own halls. Time I married you and took cat* of yon, Murilia. It's no place for a lady alone in one of these apartments with agents and everybody hanging around. If I said, 'Name the day!' bow would you answer me?" / Murllla.^a lovely light in her eyes, forgot" that she had gone to great lengths to secure this very moment •nd became as traditionally embarrassed as a raid-Vicioriaa uiulden. "Oh, Eben," she murmured, "this Is so sudden r Bui, after all. she had better pin him down. "How about ^Morrowf/ ;"v:: v . i-H >-I>Ijii i.i.jiii SANTA'S ARRIVAL Sffl Summer's Exten*ioa. Indian summer is a name applied to a short season of pleasant weather which occurs in the Central and Atlantic coast states usually during the months of October and November, but more rarely in December. Indian summer is characterized by an almost cloudless sky. calm or light air, hazy atmosphere, and a mild temperature In the daytime although cool at night. This period may last two or three weeks and may occur two or three times during a season. The theory has been advanced that early settlers may have given the bright warm days of autumn the name of Indian summer because It was as gaudy as the Indians in their war paints. Another Idea is that at this season the Indians often went to war because the bright autumn colors served as camouflage for them. There is no actual record of the use of the term until 1774. when It was in general use throughout the Atlantic state*. Carry oa Old Busibm*. In Wales and Durham, England, •HJuIlt Wives" still practice the traditional craft of quilting, the art of which has been handed down from mother to daughter. The wool for wadding Is bought locally and Is first washed and carded; it Is then placed In the frame between the two outer coverings of the quilt, and the Whole Is ready to he stitched. Food No Matter. - Eewce win never come Into world so long as ' husbands bring friends home to lunch without giving wives at least an hour to get their rouge on straight.--Arkansas Democrat. V:ir - •• TW Pastor Sayst ft* #edU ever cancel* a debit to" conduct Rach stands until repented for.--Jobn Andrew Holmes. - *yoin -- - (fKrfctmajai (Dub ENROLL-NOW When yon Join our Christmas Club you are insuring happiness next December. There won't be any disappointments and that very special gift you have had in your mind for years can be made without s^tint or inconvenience. Just * onalldepoait eaehweek--and prestoit is realized. > ; *11 What the Different Glasses Amount to INCREASING CLAJ8ES In 50 Weeks For (Christmas 1929) lc Class pays $12.75 CUm $25*50 • class pays $61.75 fOc Class pays $127JW DECREASING You begin with the largest payment and decrease your psyeacb week* * ^ jeven Amount classes In 50 Weeks For (Christmas 1929) 2Sc Clasa pays 50c Class pays 1S1.00 Class pays !$2.00 Class pays $5.00 Class pays $10.00 Class payg 0.00 ('lass pays $50.00 $100.00 $250.00 $500.00 $1000.00 For Men and Women, Children. All are welcome. CITIZENS STATE BANK "The Bank That Helps You Get Ahead" MfftlicBimrin&Thomsl Biggs family were holfltnf a consultation. There were nine of them, counting fqther and mother, and they eat In a somewhat solemn semicircle before an open fire. "The whole truth of the matter Is,' said Father Biggs, "that we have no money to spend on Christ maa. The amount I saved has been used to pay for Danny's hospital bills. There Is coal to buy this month and new shingle* to put .OIL the roof unless we all want to drown when we have rain." Mother Biggs glanced wistfully around the circle of children. It was hard. "Oh, well," said Eliza tossing her black, short curls, "Who cares? We're all well now," she looked at Danny who smiled bravely back, "and we can rig up something without money. Don't let's look like a row of tombstones." This made them laugh--even mother. And next day every Biggs tried valiantly to behave as If stockings were going to be filled on Christmas morning with more gifts than they knew what to do with. But Danny was particularly troubled. It was because of bis sickness that the rest of the family were be-. Ing deprived of their rightful presents. He felt that it was up to him to do something. He must contrive ret eight gifts by hook or crook. But how? He thought about it steadily for five hours. "Danny, you haven't taken your boat In yet fron the river," said Mrs. Biggs a noon lunch. "Soo It will be frozen I the water. You'd better run dowi. and drag it up o_> shore this afternoon. Turn it over. I saved a big piece of old canvas you can cover It w i t h . You'd miss having that row-boat next summer if It got ruined now." ' Danny promised he would see about it Mrs. Biggs went to the church sewing society at two o'clock. Several other Biggses disappeared on various errands. Danny walked across the fields to hunt his boat In the little stream which flowed out of the Connecticut river. It was a cold, raw afternoon. A fine rain drizzled down. Danny stubbed along over the rough ground still thinking, not of his boat, but presents--and how to get some. As he neared the spot where his row boat was tied his eye light * ui£- on a large wooden box. It was tilted up on end and frozen in the mud. It was filled with something--small objects seemed to be bursting rat ol the cracks. Danny hurried forward. He leaned over the box. He poked a finger Inside a large crack. The box was partly ripped apart. Some of the boards were missing. It was water soaked. Iiftiny's finger came in contact with other pasteboard boxes of all "sizes "I wonder what this Is and where it came from?" be said aloud- Theie was an address 1n heavy "Hzr \ black paint on the top. Danny read It. it was of some shipping fins in town In Vermont Slowly the boy thought It all out This box must have been washed away In the terrible flood- 11 bad floated two hundred miles down the Connecticut river and had been cast up by the tide on the shore of the small river. It must have been here for some time. Danny managed to draw out one email box. The colors were faded and blotched. But en lifting the cover Danny discovered a neat array of toilet articles. They were hardly dam- Aged. being for the most part in metal cane and tubes. Talcum powder! Toothpaste! Shaving soap! Cold cream! Vanishing cream 1 Face powder In gold boxes I Danny felt weak with excitement. He knew now where his Christmas presents were coming from. He also knew he hsd a perfect right to take these things, because they were unclaimed, damaged goods--and he Was the finder! He ran home as fast as his legs would carry him. He must let one other person into the secret to help carry the things home. They must work fast before the rest of the family returned. He found Eliza looking blue. and darning socks beside the Are. In no time they were both scuddling down across the fields. They spent a breathless afternoon tugging a clothes basket full of the toilet articles back to the house. Ellsa worked like a Trojan. Her hands flew; she had more ideas than you could Shake a stick at and she stopped three times to powder her nose out of a little golden box! Three times they made trips from the house down to the box beached on the shore. They were worn out •nd completely happy. They hid the treasures In the woodshed ... and Mrs. Biggs said she had never seen Danny look so dirty in his life. Ellsa threw him a glance and burst into laughter, but they could get nothing out of her. She was mum as an oyster! Christmis morning l »anny and Ellsa dragged every Biggs out of bed at six o'clock. They . came sleepily downstairs, a little crosa and shuffling in their slippers. Danny and Eliza threw open the living room doors. A row of bulging s t o c k i n g s hung from the mantel piece. A bright fire crackled on the hearth. A Christmas tree stood neqr by heavy with gifts. Such squeals and grunts! Such laughter! Such an onrush to clasp a nobby stocking to • surprised breast Presents for every one. Presents every one needed and could use. Dozens and dozens of presents. "We won't tell a. single thlng unttt every one has opened all their gifts,' announced Danny, his eyes shining like slurs. "I was the one who made you lose your Christmas because I was sick, and now I give it back to you again." "Now son," said Father Biggs when the last string was untied, the last paper unwrapped, "Tell us how you did It" So Danny, standing by the fire In his woolen pajamas, with a box of talcum powder in one hand and a cake of soap In the other, related his experiences In finding the box. Eliza helped out when he ran out of breath. "The very merriest Christmas we have ever had !" said Mother Biggs and kissed Danny on the forehead. At this point several younger Biggses had to be restrained from a gay, ferocious battle of throwing talcum powder. <©, 1321, Wwttn Hmpvw UaloB.) Christmas Christmas means friendship, the thought of the absent and at least a itary forgetting of ourselves j. • Obacwe Posts. - a friend sends me a cutting from • recent issue of an English newspaper that has an -oddity all Its own In a column of literary gossip occurs the following: "An obscure American poet once said, 'Lives of great men •11 remind us we may make our lives Sublime' (or words to that effect). I would rather say: 'Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime only If we organize and discipline our mental and physical Outfit.' It does not quite scan, but It Is better sense." Which reminds me that an obscure English poet once wrote: "To be or not to be, that la the question" (or words to that effect). I would (not) rather say: "To be or not to be, that Is the question only when you are not thinking of something else." ft does not quite scan, but It make* no better sense. --William Lyons Phelps in Scribner's. Look here, fellows,--says Mr. Before and After. Do as the banker does--he sends his suits here to be pressed and they last longer. \ , "For Appearance's -MS :•${ i ;,;&4ir-- •£,; [ANNA HOWARD [CLEANING svussm S ' ' . . . I \W£R Boiaats oeuo STOKE; 7 ••%••• A ^ • Freaa ( _ ^ ^ Harry Whitehead and a friend wet* strolling along the beach at Marblehead, Mass., where they engaged In conversation with • genalne "Marbleheader." "By the way," Mid Harry's friend, "I happen to know Mm of your prominent ciMsens." "Who la her tttod the Marbleheader. " v "Mr. Do and *©." "* "He ain't at all pHMMtfttffit, tiffr entitled to prominence," indignantly replied the genuine Marhleheader. "That man has lived in MarMehead only sixty- seven years. He's h 'foreigner,' born in Salem."--Salem (Mass.) News. GENERAL • ELECTRIC fan Birds. iflfi} [\ In kindergarten little Mary held ap her hand and remarked to the teacher In charge: "See, I am a Uttle bluebird because I am all dreaaed In blue." Hearing this, and not to be outdone, little William stood up a&u said: MI am a little redbtrd because I have red underwear." Uada Ebea. ^ science folks say dar la suns out in space dan de one we does business wif." said Uncle Kben. "After dat hot summer til l «*ks la dat <ley keepfr dHr- dfsraiHu)U*,.-** Ll Star. eWiahlftiton Ben*i OM gift that catties Hi through dbe ym dat ||m homemakec whole family. Tbe General I fc.ltis Carey Electric Shop Telephone 251 Nature's Law. The moment we can use our possessions to any good purpose ourselves, the Instinct of communicating that use to others rises side by side with «ii» tHiww --John Rnsktn. ) Way to HippiMM. If you are unhappy. It probably 1* because you are mad at somebody. Forget the folks yon do not like. *nd In five minutes the world will brighter to ynu.--Atehlsnn Olotw. jTi fSfc For health and happiness|j --for sheer delight 0% Christmas day and a thou* sand days to come--choose a new Buick with Master piece Bodies by Fisher. SilverAnniversary 9 BuicK With Mmttmrpime* Bodies by Witht OVERTON & COWENj - ' , Buick Motor 64rs West McHettry, 9L 'W- • M Phonet WHBN IITT1K AUTOMOBILU A&B BUILT MUCK WILL BOILS Tl £