Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-10-08


presenting a palm leaf fan. mot bu
what I'm always glad to see you, Mis-
Pease, but seems's If you'd "a been NOR
comfortable If you'd waited until afte
sundown."
There amt much doubt about that,
admitted Mrs. Pease, whose breatl
came with startling audibleness "Ii
'tain't too much trouble, I'd like q
glass Of water, Mis- Frost My throat's
terribly dry, wadin through all tina;
dust"
The alert little woman darted through
the straw carpeted entry way as rapid
ly as though the thermometer had been
more creditably employed than in graft
flying a ceaselessly aspiring ambition,
and was back again as promptly.
Drink this tea instead" urged she,
producing a blue willow pattern cup
and saucer from which delightful odor
arose. Waters dangerous when you re
so het up"
THAT'S real kind Of you Mis- Frost, "
said Mrs. Pease gratefully. There
amt nothin l like better'n cup of tea
when git overheatcd, but, of course,
wasn't goin to speak Of it"
81 relish it more'n anything myself
such days" said Mrs, Frost, watching
the red patches grow paler on her visit
or's forehead and cheeks. "This piaz-
zy's real comfortable when the sun gifts
round behind the house."
"Ory often wishes we had one on our
house," said Mrs Pease contemplative-
ly. "It's tho fust thing we shall have
if VIC ever git forehanded, but l believe
in lettin well enough alone.
"Ory's notions are little high," an.
swered Mira Frost, with certain mean
ing, scanning Ora's mothers face mar.
rowly to discern any indications of re-
sentiment at her freedom. you've had
hard time to git your place clear, an
l never favored gittin into the mire
when you can keep out. Why didn't
Dry come round with your"
"Steve Judkins carried her to the
beach this AFTERNOON with his new
horse" replied Mrs. Pease, trembling
at the opportune inquiry that enabled
her to state the news she had come go
far to tell without absolutely forcing
it into the conversation. ITS a reg'lar
beauty. S'pose you amt seen it YETI"
LA, yesl Indeed have"
Mrs. Frost spoke the truth, for Steve
Judkins had driven by that very after
noon with his new possession On his way
to get Ora, but with the perspicacity
peculiar to certain minds she OWNED
Mrs Pease's uneasiness at the indef-
niteness Of her reply and determined
not to lessen it by any explanatory re-
mark
"He always said Dry should have the
fust ride" added Mrs. Pease, uncon-
scious how much anxiety was being
manifested in her forid face.
II amt sayin she didn't"
Mrs Pease did not lack in penetra.
tion and could see that Mrs. Frost was
endeavoring to annoy her. She was an.
CRY, and, Strengthening herself, made a
bold and unconsidered stroke.
" 'Twould be funny if she hadn't"
said she, coloring with the ,;iort she
was making. II s'pose some Gay twill
be hern."
The rockers on the chair occupied by
Mrs Frost made wide scratch On the
painted boards Of the piazza as she gave
an involuntary lurch forward Two lit
tie spots Of red famed in her sallow
cheek, and her eyes snapped visibly.
"Do tell Well, hadn't s'posed it
was so serious. Then Ory's really
caught him at last"
Mrs. Pease was conscious of q tu1nul.
tuous beating of all her pulses as she
stared her questioner in the face To
hear the inference drawn from her pre-
declaration voiced in such
plain and unmistakable terms almost
paralyzed her.
II amt at liberty to say anything
more yet, she stammered confusedly.
IAN you mustn't mention it to soul
outside till give you leave"
''That's queer. | should think ycu'd
want it SPREAD said Mrs. Frost, lift
ing her thin eyebrows "Steve's the
catch of the place. If twas my Char
lotte, wouldn't let the grass grow un-
der my feet before I'd circ late it pretty |
freely"
"Ory's queer about them things.
She'd be awful mad if she knew I'd
told, !" returned Mrs. Pease, whose brain
seemed to be spinning around cratic
ally
II shall tell Charlotte anyway, in.
sisted Mrs Frost. "Steve Judkins took |
quite shine to her one while, an he's |
invited her to ride with his new horse |
some clay. If he al Dry are goin to git |
married, be amt no business to be tax
in other gals to ride, an she shant 60.
She'll have to have a good reason,
though, or there won't be any stoppin |
her.
Mrs. Pease's resources seemed on the |
point of deserting her. Diplomacy was
as foreign to her as the telling Of IN
truths. Her pale blue eyes We're full |
of perplexity that mystifed Mrs. |
Frost, though the latter had not ven
tured to doubt the truth of her visitors
statement, disagreeable as 1t was to her.
THERE'S partic' lar reason why | |
can't say any more Just now," feebly |
reiterated Mrs. Pease. Promise me
faithful you won't tell what | said to |