The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-02-28

"They's book in there!" said the
child. .Mebbe it's your'n. I'd a.
brung it to you, but ! couldn't reach
it."
Lucy hardly heard the last words
rs she ran to the rain-barrcl, closely
followed by her mother and sister
And there, sure enough, was her much
sought-for book. completely immersed
in water.
'Jist let me find out which one o.
the young 'uns done that and I'll lar
rup 1t within an inch OF its lifer'
stormed Mrs. Ross, as she surveyed
the dripping volume in Lucy's hands
The unhappy girl said nothing, but
repaired with it, weeping, to the
kitchen, where she spent the next half
hour In thoroughly drying 1t over the
stove. But, alas! her beautiful, new
physiology was soilcd and faded al
most beyond recognition; the print be-
ing. in many places, blurred into
illegibility.
While the family were at supper
there was a knock at the door. and
Kitty Olwirt made her unexpected APP
pearance.
Here You are, you little truant!
I've come to look after you!'' she said.
playfully, as Lucy admitted her.
Mrs. Ross, anxious to explain mat
tiers in her own way, interrupted the
words that trembled on her daughter s
lips.
Lucy SINGH about crazy, Miss Kitty,
over what happened this afternoon to
her physiology! l sent her to onkiver
the rain-bar'l. an instid o. layin' her
book down as she'd ort to she took it
along; an, somehow, in workin'
aroun there, she dropped it inf
Lucy gave a start OF painful sur
prise at this direct falsehood from her
mother. and her pale, expressive face
became pathctically agitated. The
children stared blankly from one to
another. but all remained silent
"Of course it got soakin' wet"
went on the constituencies woman.
Lucy dried it by the fire. but she
couldn't make it fit TO look at Git ii,
Lucy, and show it to her,
Lucy did as she was hidden. but she
gave her mother an appealing, re-
proachful look that would have melted
a heart less hard.
Kitty saw the look and wondered
at it.
Don't feel badly about it, DEAR she
said, taking the book. You couldn't
help it, and will have new one to-
morrow"
"Oh, don't get another one!" plead
ed Lucy. Il never can take it."
And then, completely overcome by
a sense of the wrong her mother had
done and of its injustice to hprself, she
abruptly left the room, sobbing con-
yulsively.
Kitty. not little bewildered, was on
the point Of following her.
I'D ruther you wouldn't say moth
in more to her tonight interposed
Mrs. Ross. shell git over it quicker
by herself"
Very well. will 60 home" said
Kitty. as she moved toward the door.
Don't be mad!'' whimpered Mrs.
Ross. '.You don't know Lucy like l
do. It always makes her cry worser
to talk to her. Come back agin to-
mora! She'll be all right by then"
Kitty passed out, without deigning a
reply.
Mrs. Ross had always been proud OF
Kitty's friendship for Lucy, and, al
though infinitely below the Olwirts in
social standing, she had often OBJ
truded herself as visitor in their
home on the strength of her daugh-
ter's preferment.
This evening she had tried, as was
her wont, to make the best possible
appearance before Kitty. But she dis
covered, when too late. that she had,
to use her own expression, ..oycrdone
the thing"
Amt you a pretty thing!' she ex-
claimed, going into the bedroom
where Lucy sat, picture of the deep
est detection. "kitty's gone home
mad; an it's your fault fer ieavin' her
the way you did"
Il couldn't help it, mother.' Lucy
answered. sorrowfully. II couldn't
stay and see her so. deceived. and
couldn't tell on my own mother"
You'd better never tell. either!'
was tho threatening rejoinder. Il
didn't do no harm, anyhow. If I'd
a-told her one O. the children split