The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-17

rosebuds and crimson clove-p inks, and
escaping down the sloping shed-roof.
skipped away under the starlight, re-
straining their gay voices and sweet
laughter until two or three dew
drenched meadows should have inter
posed between themselves and the old
| peaked roof farmhouse under the but
tonball trees.
But watching their swift footsteps
wss a pair of cleaning green-gray eyes,
on which they had not calculated, and
| Aunt 'Stasia drew back her night-capped
head from the pantry window, with a
subdued thuckle.
They think they've fooled me. |
s'pose," muttered she; ''but they hain't.
They've got out all right, but they
won't get back quito so easy, l guess.
And one things dumb sartin-not cent
of the city boarders money do they get.
Sly, deceitful minxes. I do wonder how
they ever managed to lay hands on
them rose-colored gownds without me
KNOWN of it'
So there was one silver lining to the
cloud. Aunt 'Stasia never once suspect
|
to these two young conspirators.
''Ill teach 'em a lesson said she to
herself, as she lighted the candle, got
out her knitting, and prepared to await
| the course of events.
| Eleven o'clock struck. Twelve, and
still Aunt 'Stasia sat there, resolved to
die sooner than yield to the drowsiness
that weighted-down her eyelids. At
length she started up at the sound of
footsteps on the rude plank bridge that
| spanned the trout brook at the foot of
| the lane.
There they comet said she, spring
ing to her feet and bundling shawl
around her head"
Her eyes could scarcely pierce the
starry dark of the summer night, but
there were figures coming up the lane,
and she could family distinguish the
sound of muffied voices.
Creeping down to the shadow of the
| old smoke-house, Aunt 'Stasia there
awaited her prey, and bounced out upon
them as they advanced.
'Oh. we've come, have YEP" she
screamed. You lazy, good-for-nothin'
tricky things. But I'll teach you les
| son We never larned before. in there,
| quick"
Opening the smOke-house door with
one hand, she used the other as a pro-
peling force to push the amazed new
corners into the dismal, old place, turn
ing the rusty key in it's wards with a
jerk, and then whirled around to con-
front their escort, tall young man.
who, having fingered to close the lane
gate,was just msking his way up through
a forest of tall weeds.
LAS for you, Calvin Harding" said
she, clear off these premises. quicker'n
a flash, or I'll onloose the bulldog,
Amt you ashamed of yourself; teachin
two gals to disobey their maternal
gardens? Eli? Amt you?"
"Madam-'
Don't madam me-" cried the ex
cited woman, ''or I'll call Bose and sea-
him on t'ye! Get off this place, | saw.
''Will you listen to me, my good WON
an? Or are you stark, raving mad?"
At this moment Uncle Jonathan made
his appearance, carrying a lantern.
Whats the matter, Anastasia?' he
bawled. us it chicken-thieves OF
tramps? I've got the old musket here:
shall | fire."
And from the path under the apple
trees two pink figures emerged, hurry
ing along like moving rosebuds, with
stalwart young man on either side
Calvin Harding and Cissy Allen.
oldest brother Andrew
''Oh, Aunt 'Stasia. Oh, Mrs. Barton
they cried. What has happened?"
Aunt 'Stasia stared around at the
scene. now irradiated by the flicker OF
the lantern.
Didn't just shut you two girls into
the smoke-house?' she stammered
And if it wasn't you, who was it?''
Just then the rusted lock of the i'm.
provised prison-house gave way beneath
the repeated jerks of the tall young
man; the door flew open, and out rushed
two screaming women.
"Take us away, Herbertr they
screamed. THE woman is mad. Dom,
let her come near us!''
"Who be you?" demanded Uncle iona.
than, holding his lantern high in the
air.
"My name is Corliss," stifly ex.
planned the stranger. 81 was bringing
my wife and sister here to board with
one Mrs. Barton, at Buttonball farm.
and we took carriage at Button depot
to drive across country. But one of the
horses fell lame and the driver refused
70 r. hnr
and we must have lost our way. for,
"You haven't lost it.' screamed Aunt
'Stasia. This is Buttonball farm, and
I'm Mrs. Barton. It's all mistake, nv
pouncin' out at you like wildcat Ny
two nieces-"
Excuse me- said the city gentleman
If decline to discuss this matter fur
Their. After the nervous shock which
these ladies have received they will
scarcely desire to dwell under youl
roof Perhaps these gentlemen" turn
ing to Allen and Harding, .'can tell M,
OF some place where they can be re
ceived, short of second journey to But
ton depot?n
Harding took off his hat. my moth
er will be happy to take you in, l dare
say" said he. "And it is not very ia,
OFF. Allow me to show you the way"
Aunt 'Stasia stood watching the re-
treating party until they were out of
sight; then she turned savagely to her
nieceS:
Mrs. Harding's got away my city
boarders," she snarled, land it's all
your fault. Come into the house. YOU
young minxes- and I'll let you know
what l think of you
Prue drew herself up, while Cherry
chung timidly to her arm