Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-11-08
"ME N MAZE"
Tho Two Found a Resting Place
Together at Last.

Az "ohAua "o' hottih6 ehS hoOi ~
that her figure might just gil tn,
opening, and as she had a very thin
figure the door had IN inhospitablc ap
pearance. Before she gave any an
swer she crancd her head forward ant
examined space for few yards about
the man.
II don't see no dcrg," she remarked
70, you can't see him. he's out to the
corner OF the house. settin' down.
told him to Sc down n wait for me.
Having said this, the man adjusted
his crutches SO that he might rest on
them more comfortably while be
waited. lie was used TO waiting.
lie was watching the woman's face.
She had pressed her thin lips together
while she was considering, and when
Mrs Darte's lips were pressed to.
gether 1t was as II she had only sort
of q cut in her face through which
she might take her food.
II don't expect were called upon to
support no dorgs," sho said, at last;
"thc town don't provide nothin' for
dorgs, anyway. besides here she
paused, but added, almost immediate.
ly-"our cats drctful 'fraid Of dorgs.
She BRUSHES all up horrid. She'd like
ly 'snot run away, N | d. know what
we should do. She's q reg'lar ratter,
m the rats we hev here arc Jest be-
you'd words. don't see why the town
don't do sumthin' bout EN-. tell
Abraln II he tended to things S he'd
say sumthin' bout them rats to town
meetin'. | tell him | wish the select
men could see our hog pail most any
time when it's settin' out there by the
pen. It's Jest sight with them rats
tails in ring right round the top OF
it, m they with their heads down in
the swill."
This seemed irrelevant, but the man
did not interrupt. His faded old blue
eyes wero fixed on the woman's face.
Somehow those eyes nude her uneasy.
She wished they were not SO mild aud
80 gentle.
When she stopped speaking he said
that ho knew "some folks didn't like
dorgs; they were afraid they'd run
mad in tho summer cause twas hot,
n In the winter cause twas cold.
But amt fraid to risk that" be con.
cluded,
There was silence for moment dur.
ing which q Baltimore oriole in the
cherry tree close by tluted ont his song
and then flew of, making a swift line
OF brilliant color as he went. The old
man turned and gazed after the fly
Ing beauty. lie smiled slightly as he
gazed.
Them birds are lot Of company for
me this time Of year" he said. n
guess they've built up in tho top
branch-though mostly they like el-
luns for their nests"
Az he still continued 10 stand there
Mrs. Darte could not quite make up
her mind to shut the door on him,
Presently he turned toward her again.
This :, the almshonse where |
b'lonr," l., began, hes;tatingly. "lm
towned here, anyway, N I've bout
made up my mindl can't take care Of
myself no more. I'm gittin' OLD"
Mrs. Darte just now heard Kissing
sound That told her the dried apple
stcwing on the kitchen stove was boil
Ing over, She felt sure that the half
wlttcd paupcr inmate that she had
left TO watch would spill the urple
when she tried to move the l.ettle
BACK,
But here was oil Lemmy Little, who
didn't seem 10 know enough 10 90
away. OF course they eoulln't luke
his dog 1T was ridiculous, Just like
him to think they could And her
mother had always said that good
sized dog cost as much to keep us q
pig. She told herself that she hadn't
any right to use the towns money to
provide for q useless animal like that.
Il don't see how can, no way" she
said,
II tell you what" exclaimed Mr..
Little, frightening, You j,st come
outn see Maize, a praps you'll change
your mind. He's such u good Teller
You cant help liliin' him, nobody
can't"
u guess I've seen him was the re-
sponse, the speaker showing no enthu-
siasm at the prospect Of making &C.
quaintance with Muje. I've seen him
goin' along with you"
"Bat you IN ust come out'-the old
eyes were still brightly speak to
him. Hes the best fclleryou ever seen
Why here the stubbly, weak chin
quiyered slightly-"I amt bon 'thout
him day nor night for ten year, N ton
year ago this spring he was @ pup.
They was goin' ter drown him. saved
his life. got him way from them
t,yo o,,poac ~ HOW toolf off tha roma