Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-01-23
DECIDED BY CHANCE.

had lust ~uesccndcu beniuu tne lrinIe OF
elm trees on Meadow Hill. and the
parchpd summer world was free to
breathe at last. Wayne billiard, finish
ing his sketch Of the fern shaded poolin
the glen. dropped his pencil and inflated
his lungs with the fragrant oxygen.
Mrs. Nix. cleaning trout for the NOR
rows breakfast. in the kitchen. sighed a
sigh Of infinite relief. zone more days
gomez said she; and Kitty and lilly.
sdmming cream in the cool cellar, made
haste with their work so as to finish
without the light Of a candle. and as
they worked they talked and laughed
lightly. as girls win do.
Who were Kitty and lilly? Why,
they were Mrs. Mix's ''hired helpn-the
rosy daughters of i~mpecunious neigh
bors. who were more thaa glad to exc
out their slender allowance Of pocket
money by assisting the harassed land
lady in busy times." Kitty was a ra-
diant blonde. with hair just warmed
with red, eyes Of mischievous gray. and
a complexion that would have been per-
feet were it not for the sprinl,ling Of
freckles across the bridge Of the saucy
nose. Tillv. on the contrary. vas pale
and dark. with big. solemn eyes full Of
ietty lights. and q small head set with
imperial grace on her slim shoulders;
and their voices sounded like the indis-
tinct twitter of orioles as they talked
and skinned great leathery sheets Of
cream and strained the nights milk"
into broad, shining pans.
Il think he's splendidr' said Kitty.
$50 do r. said lilly, enthusiastically.
Il mean to have himl" said Kitty,
waving her Skinner above a fresh pan.
Il like thatl' ironically observed lilly.
Eve always pinel to be an artists
bride" said Kitty.
eyes" interrupted lilly, land ! have
made up my mind TO y city life. This
country vegetation don't suit mel |
must marry a city man!'
Kitty covered up the stone cream jar
with a little clinlz.
"Well. how are we going to settle this
natter said she, with a laugh. I'VE
both want WAYNE Hilardi We're botl
determined TO have him"
DRAW lots" suggested lilly. Moth
ing like chance for determining q question
like this. Oh! | say. Kitty, this pai
leaks. Give mo n of the now ones.
do like a new milk pant makes on.
think of sheets Of silver"
mo, we won't do that-it's too hack
neyed." said Kitty. "Tll tell you wha
wen do. Tilly. Mr.. billiard neve
comes into the house without goinl
straight into the milk room for a drinl
OF new milk. Mrs. Mix always leaves
little brown pitcher there for him. Well
Wen leave two pitchers, one white 70
you, the other blue fer me. The on,
that he selects shall decide the question
If it's blue-then he's minel If it's whit
Il c%heerfully give him up to your
Girls. | should think you'd b
ashamed of yourselvesr
lilly gave a great start; Kitty coloreI
until the freckles looked like a feet 0
tiny brown boats on a sea of scarlet
Mrs. Mix was at the head of the stair:
glaring down at them like IN indignau
tabby cat.
1--WE we didn't mean anything,
feebly uttered Kitty.
"We were only making fun" mu.
INJURED TiIly.
''It amt the sort o. fun they used
make when l was u girl, )" said Mrs. Mi,
1--WE were talking about the milk
a~pologized Kitty. with excusable equiv,
cation.
'Tain't worth while to fb. said Mr.
Mix. II was standin' jest by the win
der. and / herd every word you salt
Here's the platter o fish. Put it in
cool place, not too near the milk"
Kitty Farrar and lilly Grey locke
guilty at each other, and INDUCED in
surreptitious litter when the door close
sharply.
do You suppose she did hear it all
said lilly breathlessly.
ut isn't a hanging matter if she did
declared Kitty. ''Quick-get the pitc.
ersi Take them in the back way.
hear him coming now"
"Oh, if it's come to your knowing b
very step
''Do hold your tongue. Tilly!-
On the whitley secured milk roo
shelf stood the two little pitchers. one
old "howing blue" the other q squat
white ware specimen. with a cryst
clear tumbler beside them. In Kitty
haste she had forgotten to fill but on
and as the two dimpled faces peep
from the twilight darkness at the hei
OF the cellar stairs they could see Way
billiard come direct TO the little mi
room and take up the white pitcher.
''Theref' whispered Tiny. spasmo
ically squeezing Kitty's reamd little arr
But the white pitcher was empty.
set it down with IA smothered exclam
ton Of impotence. and Selling the 10
ing blue poured outs glass Of cool. toai
ing milk aud drank it. Then he walk
ont again.
''Therer retorted Kitty. HE to
my pitcher utter all
'sBut be took mine first.
Don't be shabby. lilly. If ever an
thing was rejected your pitcher W.
He is mine"
Nonsense. Kit By all the rules
love and wan he belongs 70 me-
81 mean 70 have hiln, anyhow.
I'm see about TINT, said lilly re
lutely.
-Hush- cried Kitty. What's th
Some one ggglng. It's Tom"
..No. it isn't. Tom has been sent
U...T r.~.. La1F n 1.~nm Iuf