People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-06-02

that the frock of Indian muslin, albeit
homemade, fitted Miss Sally's figure
perfectly-from the azure bows on her
shoulders to the ribbon around her
waist-and that the hem Of its billowy
skirt showed a foot which everybody
knew was the smallest foot south of
Mason and Dixon's line. But it was
something more intangible that this
which kept CORTLAND breathless and
silent.
I'm not Miss Miranda Dows," said
the vision, with frankness that was
half childlike and half practical, as she
extended little hand, but can talk
'fahm' with yo' about as well as aunty,
and reckon from what Maj. Reed says
heah," holding up the letter between
her fingers, las long as yo' get per-
simums yo' don't mind what kind O.
pole yo' knock 'em down with"
The voice that carried this speech
was so fresh, so clear and sweet that |
am afraid CORTLAND thought little of
its oddity or its dialectical transgres-
sions. But it brought him his own
tongue quite Internationally and quiet
ly. 81 don't know what was in that
note, Miss Bows, but can hardly be-
lieve that Maj. Reed ever put my pres
ent good fortune quite in that way"
Miss Sally laughed Then with a
charming eXaggeration she waved her
little hand toward the sofa: There!
Yo' naturally wanted little room for
that, connie, but now that yo've got it
off-and mighty pooty it was, togo
can sit down" And with that she sank
down at one end of the sofa, prettily
arranged a white billow of skirt so as
to leave ample room for CORTLAND, and,
locking her fingers over her knees,
looked demurely expectant.
But let me hope that l am not dis
turbing you unseasonably," said Court
land, catching sight of the fateful little
slipper beneath her skirt and remem-
bering the window. "Iwas so preoccu-
pied in thinking Of your aunt as the
business manager Of these estates that
| quite forgot that she might have a
lady's hours for receiving"
1--WE haven't got any company hours, II
said Miss Sally, ''and we haven't just
now any servants for company man.
ners, for we're shorthanded in the fields
and barns. When yo' came was nail.
ing up the laths for the vines outside
because we couldn't spare carpenters
from the factory. But" she added
with faint accession of mischief in hel
voice, ''yo' came to talk about the FARM
"Yes," said Courtland rising, "but
not to interrupt the work on it. vii
you let me help you nail up the laths or
the wall? Ihave had some experience
that way-and we can talk as we work
Do oblige me-"
The young girl looked at him brightly
well, now, there's nothing NEAR
about that. Yo' mean it for sure?"
Perfectly. l shall feel so much les,
as if l was enjoying your company
uuder false pretenses."
"Yo' just wait here, then"
She jumped from the sofa, ran out o
the room, and returned presently, tyinl
the strings of long striped ccttol
blouse - evidently a habilimenS o
Sophy's-behind her back as she re
turned. 1t was gathered under he
oval chin by tape also tied behind her
, while her fair hair was tucked unde
! the usual red bandana handkerchief o
the negro housemaid. 1t is scarcel
: necessary to add that the effect was be
: witching.
: But" said Miss Sally, eying he
: guests smartly-ftting frock coat, "yo'l
spoil yo'r pooty clothes, sure! Take Of
! yo' coat-don't mind me-and work i
} yo'r shirt sleeves"
i CORTLAND obediently flung aside hi
e coat and followed his active hostes
: ! through the French window to the ula'