Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-03-25
DECIDED BY CHANCE.

last. Wayne Hillard, finishing his sketch
Of the fern shaded pool in the glen, drop
ped his pencil and Inflated bis lungs with
the fragrant oxygen. Mrs. Mix, cleaning
trout for the mocrow'S breakfast, in the
kitchen, sighed a sigh of Infinite relief.
One more days gOnen said she, and
Kitty and lilly, skimming cream IN the
cool cellar made haste with their work so
as to finish without the lighl of a candle,
and as they worked they talked and laugh
ed lightly, as girls will do.
Who were Kitty and Tiliy? Why,
they were Mrs. Mix's hired help'-tIe
rosy daug hters OF lmpecunious neiphbors.
who were more than glad to exc out their
slender allowance of pocket money by AS,
slstlng the harasSed landlady in busy
times. Kitty was radiant blonde, with
her hair just warmed with red, eyes of
mischievous gray and complexion that
would have been perfect were it not for a
sprlnkl1ng OF freCkies across the bridge Of
the saucy nose lilly, On the contrary, was
pale and dark, with big, solemn eyes full
Of Ietty lights, aud a small head set with
imperial grace on her slim shoulders, and
their voices sounded like the indistinct
twitter of orioles as they talked and
skinned great lea hery sheets OF cream
and strained the nights milk into broad
shining pans;
Il think he's splendid, said Kitty.
50 90 l, said lilly, enthusiastically.
Il mean to have him., said Kitty, way
ing her skinner above q fresh pan.
Il like that, ironically observed lilly.
''Pve ALWAYS pined to be an artist s
BRIDE" said Kitty.
Yes, >" said lilly, land I've made up
my mind to a city life his country veg
citation don't suit me. | must marry a
city man.
Kitty covered up the stone cream jar
with little ciink.
Well, bow are we going to settle this
matterb' said one, with laugh. eve
both want Wayne Hillard. We're both
determined to have him. "
DRAW lots, " suggested lilly. Nothing
like chance for determining a question
like this. Oh! say, Kitty, this pan leaks.
Give me one Of the new ones. ] do like a
new milk pant makes one think OF
sheets Of silver"
mo, we won't DO that-it's too hack.
neyed, . said Kitty. "i'll tell you what
we'll do, lilly. Mr.. HilIard never comes
into the house without going straight into
the milk room for a dlink of new milk.
Mrs. Nix always leaves little brown
pitcher there for him. Well, We'll have
two pitchers, one white for you, the other
blue for me. The one that he selects shall
decide the question. II it's wbite-I
cheerfu!ly give him up to you"
Girls, should think you'd be asham-
ed of yourselves!'
lilly gave great start; Kitty c0Iored
until the freckles looked like feet OF
tiny brown boats on a sea of scarlet. Mrs.
Mix was at the head Of the stairs, gIaring
down at them like An indignant tabby
cat.
We've didn't mean anything" fee
bly, uttered Kitty.
1--WE were only making fun" murmur-
ed lilly.
1T amt the sort Of fun the used to make
when | was a girl" said Mrs. Mix.
1--WE were taking about the milk, -
apologized Kitty, with excusabIe equiv
ocation.
"Tain't worth while to fb,' said Mrs.
Mix. Il was standing irs ::5y the window
and heerd every word you said. Here 5
the platter of fish. Put it in cool place,
not too near the milk
Kitty Farrar and lilly Grey looked
guilty at each other, and INDUCED in a
surrepGitious litter when the door closed
sharply.
DO you suppose she did hear it all +
said lilly, breathlessly.
ct isn't a hanging matter if she did. y
declared Kitty. Quick, get the pitch
ers! Take them IN the backway, [ hear
him coming now"
"Ob, if it's come to your knowing his
very step"
DO hold yOur tongue, Tilly!"
On the whjtely secured milk-room shelf
stood IKE two little pitchers, one Of old
flowing blue, - the other squattv white
ware specimen, with crystal clear tur1-
bier beside them. In Kitty's haste she
had forgotten to fill but one, and as the
two dim pied faces peeped from TWILIGHT
darkness at the head OF the cellar stairs
they could see Wayne billiard come direct
to the little mild room and take up the
White pitcher.
There whispered lilly, spasmodicaI-
ly squeezing Kitty round little arm.
But the white pitcher was empty. He
set it down with smothered exclamation
of impatieuce, and seizing the flowing blue
poured out a glass Of foaming milk and
drank 1t. Then he walked out again.
"There!' reuorteo Kitty. He took ny
pitcher after all. "
But et02k mine first"
Don't be shabby, lilly. If ever any
thing as rejected your pitcher was. He
is mine.
Nonsense, Kit! By all the rules of love
and war he belongs to me.
Il mean to have him anyhow -
- II see about that, said lilly reso-
lutely.
Hush cried Kistie. whats that ?
Some one giggling. It's Tom"
No. it isn't, Tom has beer sent up 70
Spots ODD farm for & half a deem Gucks
for Sundays dinner It's your guilty
conscience Kit. that's all -
IN tell We, mist,r, said Tim. If
you'll promise never to let on VINO 1t
was and If you'll gimme that ere intad
hshin pole O yourn as " don't use 10
more.
Il don't think I care much about your
news, Tom. said Mr. HilIard. who was
just settling himself Tor a morning sketch
ing by The river banks
oh, but y, u viii when you hear i, y
said Tom. Mother said, sid she, 'sirl~.