Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1893-08-17
WHAT MRS. JOHNNIE DID

Whatever you do. don't take the
l2:lO, " Tom had said. when at breakfast
Mrs. Johnnie declared her intention of
running up to town Its slow and
awtully dusty and there's generally n
rowdy crowd aboard Wait for the 2,OS
express"
But no sooner had Tom taken his de-
parture than Mrs johnnie decided to do
nothing of the sort She was bustling
little body. forever on the 60, and when
once an idea crept into that clever little
head OF hers, she was inclined to carry
II through to finish in her own particu.
lar way
Consequently Mrs johnnie did take
the l2:lO local. and within five minutes
time she was wishing devoutly that she
mad followed TOMS advice. for II was
hot and It was dusty and they were
crawling along at snail's pace, and
there were some rough looking custom
ers on board. and = well. oh dear
After all Tom did know what he was
talking about occasionally
AT the far end OF the car a Young
woman was sitting She looked so
young that one might almost have called
her child, in spite of the fact that her
pretty brown hair was twisted up on
the top of her head in vain imitation
OF the latest fashion And the ito Mrs
Johnnie) most atrocious fact that her
cheeks were covered with rouge.
Mrs Johnnie gathered her belongings
together and set out to take possession
of the seat Just in front of the young
girl, saying soto voce to herself mean
while
Its really the most ridiculous sight
ever saw The child must be crazy. II
It were only an old woman of my age
MRS johnnie was rather fond of calling
herself an old woman. although she only
owned to being twenty-eightl-if il were
only an old woman Of my age now, there
might be some excuse But for a child
like that, with the complexion of a
peach why why-it's perfectly prepos.
terousl
Mrs. Johnnie settled herself comfort
ably in the seat, and then, half turning
she scrntnized the young girl at her
leisure, She could do so without rude
ness, for the girl was gazing out Of the
window, and her thoughts seemed to be
far away IFS sweet little face
thought Mrs Johnnie. and don't care
II 1t is painted it's innocent and trust
full Her dress fits her abominably, but
she has glorious pair of eyes She's a
positive anomaly I'm going to intro
duce myself
The girl turned her head just at that
moment, and as their eyes met 10th Of
them smiled, and each perceived for the
first time that the other wore the little
silver Maltese cross of the Kings Daugh.
ters. They needed no introduction after
that. Mrs. Johnnie moved into the seat
with her. and they were soon the best OF
friends, 1t did not take Mrs. johnnie
very long TO gain the particulars OF her
story She had never been TO the city
before, she said, indeed, except for some
little excursion now and then she mad
never left her home which was in lit
tie village on the coast OF Long island
She was so glad to have some one TO
talk to, for Of course she was feeling a
bit lonely. Then she told Mrs Johnnie
that her name was Daisy Daisy Hope
and that she was an orphan with lust
one sister Her name was Sophie, and
she was married now They had always
been the very best of friends-she and
Dan Hackett came along
Nowadays, she added with sigh. Sophie
ved eyes for no one but Dan
4 shant mind it 80 much now
bus :! suddenly Frightening up
ne sdaed, - Colin going to be mar
led too. pie.ur iohn,.
Married. exclaimed M -. -
0 astonishment. You don't ~ "a
ell me sol When is 1t coming
what's his uaney
Yes, we're going to be married orn
and me This isn't veip
much OF trousseau. is itr she added
With an expressive gesture toward her
I'D fashioned carpetbag and two paper
,arcels But Jack said that wouldn't
natter he could fix nae up when !
,ame to town He told me in his letter
lot to bring anything along my coun.
nv dresses would never do for New
York, he said. SO I've left them all at
home there, hanging up in my closet
III except my new pink one | got at
Easter. It's so pretty couldn't bear TO |
cave that behind | guess II will do
Tor the mornings, now and then
But wasn't 1t awfully good Of Jack
though? He sent me this dress 70 wear
On the way up, and this diamond
to huge brooch that sparkled
Al her throat, but which Mrs. Johnnie's
eyes pronounced to be very bad paste
And there was boz Of complexion
sAlye he sent Inc too. I've put some OF
II on Just to please him, but can't say
that | like il very much II itches so
and feels hUrrid Do all ladies paint In
New York;
At another time Mrs Johnnie would
have burst ont laughing. but just at
present matters were taking too serious a
turn. Mrs Johnnie was beginning 70
wonder very much
But when are you TO be married. my
dearY she asked hastily You haven't
answered my question yet And what
does Sophie say, For OF course. you've
told her all about II
The girl hung her head. and Mra
Johnnie could see her blushes even In
spite OF the rogue
"You ses. it's this way Jack hates a
fuss and all that He said for Us TO get
married frs, and then let Sophie know
That was the hardest thing | had 10 do
leaving her without word Of goodby.
But Jack knows best ! suppose Only