The record-union., 1898-01-17
ORRlN TERRIERS MISTAKE.

"Been to see Gracia ?" said Lem Kin
caid. Orrin Ferrier had come out OF
the Hyatts' yard, and he was slick
ed up" considerably.
Yes; been over little while" Orrin
admitted
Pooh. What's the use? She'll for
get all about you when she goes back
to Stamford" said Lem. Lem had a
fondness for making people uncomfort-
able
Maybe she will. But Mrs. Hyatt
wanted me to get acquainted with her,
and she's splendid girl. and I'm glad
did, said Orrin, squaring his shoulders.
Bet she makes fun of you behind
your back?" said Lem.
Bet she don't. She's too polite"
What did you talk about?" Lem in
quired. with kind of sull1y curiosity.
20, / don't know. She's making a
sofa pillow for some friend Of hers In
Stamford. The cover of it's made out
of silk handkerchiefs fixed around
somehow. It's mighty pretty
why didn't you give her your blue
checked silk muffier?" said Lem. 1t
was random remark, but when Orrin
began to whistle Lem turned and scru-
Hinizod him Orrin's stock of best
clothes was limited, and when he was
dressed up he wore certain things in
Sariably. And Lem missed something
from his familiar makeup.
"Hello!" said he, with a shrewdness
that was startling. 'tOrrin Terrier, you
have given it to heri''
What if I did," said Orrin stoutly.
I've worn it till I'm sick of it; and it s
been washed once and"
20, yes! OF course! To be sure. Only
nice silk muller you've ever had. Fore
I'D make ninny of myself for any
girl" said Lem, and he went on MAX
ing ironical remarks till he had ex-
hausted his breath and the subject.
Going to the fair?' he queried, as
Orrin turned in at his gate.
Yes. Going Friday said Orrin.
Ben Crane and Guy Walters and l
are going Friday, going on the train.
Come on and go with u.s. can't you?
Eh?" Lem urged.
Can't" said Orrin.
why can't you?''
WELL" said Orrin, "the Hyatts
haven't any horse, you know, and faith
er said 1 might take our team Friday
and drive them and Gracia Gaylord
over there
Lem gave a whoop, and Orrin made
rapid time into the house, pursued by
LENS derisive shouts.
He was chopping wood in the back
yard, next morning, when Lem ap-
peared.
Say" he began abruptly. 'I told
you she'd make fun of you behind your
back; now, didn't I?''
"Who?" said Orrin.
"Pshaw! You know who. That
Gracla Gaylord. What do you s'pose
she's dCne with your silk 1nuff1er?'
Orrn chopped in silence
well, SIR" said Lem. IT went over
10 the Travers last night with the milk.
and she was over there, and she and
May Traver were having a pile of fun
liking up scarecrow. They were do
ing 1t for lark, but they said it was
TO keep the birds away from the pump
klns, ard they did go and put it out
IN the cornfield, for / saw it there this
morning.
It's terrible looking thing" said
Lem. They made a jack-lantern and
stuck 1t on pole, for a head, and they
mad 1t dressed up in some fearful old
ouds. Gracia Gaylord, she'd brought
over some of 'em, and-well, what do
you think she'd tied around his neck ?''
Orrin chopped away.
Your silk muff1er. Yes. sir. your
NICE, blue silk muffier you'd given her.
mere tbs, tied round that old pumpkin
scarecrow's neck. If you don't believe
1t you can go and look over in Traver's
cornfield and see. I should think you'd
be mad. l call it dirty meant" said
Lem; and he departed as suddenly as
he had come
Believe it? Course I don't," Orrin
Shouted after him.
But when he went to the Postoffice
an hour later he went out of his way
40 pass Traver's cornfield. There in
plain view stood the scarecrow. a ludi-
crous creation with a grinning yellow
mead. And on its neck-yes-round its
meek something soft and deIicately blue
futtered in the breeze.
Poor OrTin! He felt his face grow
SLOWLY red and hot And a great wave
of amaZement and Indignation swelled
within him.
He knew he would not have given
sSfhat muller to anybody but Gr-acia
Gaylord. And she had seemed to be
delighted with it; she had said 1t would
7oe beautiful for her sofa pillow. And
bahen-she had gone and tied it on a
Scarecrow.
Orrin could hardly believe it. She
was so kind and pleasant aiwaysi Or
he had thought she was. Probably it
was all so what Lem Kincaid had said.
probably she had made fun of him be-
hind his back. to the Hyatts and May
Nraver and everybody else. There was
plenty to make fun of, the boy thought,
with tingling Notwithstanding bash
fulness, and his communicating
CLOTHES, and his country ways
Hot thoughts surged through his mind
And in the very midst of them he saw
Gracta Gaylord coming down the street
Toward him. He had time to do some
thinking before he reached her. He
made up his mind what he ought TO do,
what he owed it to himself to do; and
he did it f. He lifted his hat to her with
freezing politeness.
Good morning. he said. I'm very
sorry. but I've had to change my plans
for tomorrow, Miss Gaylord" 1t was
the first time he had called her any
thing but Gracia. II shan't be able
10 drive to the fair, after all. Will
you tell Mr.. and Mrs Hyatt that I'm
sorry I've got to disappoint them?"
I'm sorry, too" said Gracia Gay