The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-12-13
DICK.
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL.

HI ~ "h~h " pcHcu LoNdEu tie lllOEu-
ing sun. There was a dwarf pear
tree close TO the window, so close
that, when the wind blew e.er so
little, the branches scraped against
the panes.
The sash was up now, there was
no wind, and a robin sat on her nest
in IA fork OF the branches; she sat
sarenely and hliuked hereyes sleepily.
This was her second sitting for the
season, and perhaps she was weary
of it.
4 woman lay on the bed that stood
against the wall She had been sta
ring intently at the bird, and at the
twinkling. glossy leaves OF the pear
tree. Presently she reached forth
her hand, and took up "a stick that
was on the stand at her bed head
Then she leaned farther from her
couch and raped smartlv on a door.
Instantly the sound of murmuring
talk ceased; a light. quick foOtstep
came across the floor of the next
room: the door was opened and a
girl came III. She was flushed. and
her eyes sparkled; but the flush and
the sparkle died out as she walked
forward.
Did you knock, Aunt .Jane?"
"Tes. of course. | knocked
might lay here and die: and YOU
never come a near me if / didn't
pound. It's a mighty lucky thing
for me that I've got strength left Il
pound "
The woman kept the cane i'm hel
hand, grasped so tightly that bel
knuokles were prominent white
knobs.
Did you want anything" asked
the girl.
Want anything? Yes. | want a lot
of things. That's Il foolish question
to ask But do believe YOU grow
foolisher every day"
The girl stood silent She had M
air of listening, not to her aunt, but
for something she might hear in the
kitchen.
What in time makes you SC
dumb, Jennie LAMBERT" This ques
tion was put SO sharply that the cir
almost jumped.
Il didn't know | was dumb, Aunt
Jane
90, you amt dumb when YOU II
out there with that Teller heard
you cacklin' as if you'd never stop
And me layin' here till I'm put in my
grave. Who was that TELLER. Jennie
| Lambert? I've been strainin' every
nerve to make out his voice, but he
mumbles so it might : we'll be bum
blebPe. | hate men with bass voice,
way down in their boots Who was
it?"
The color flew up into the girl.
face again.
1t was Dick Sheldon. in a low
tone
80. | thought twas him, or els'
twas John Parker If you had thu
wit of hen with her head cut of
you'd have John Parker here instead
of Dick Sheldon. [ s'pose when h
was mumblin' that way he was
maxim love, want he?
No answer.
Wa mt he?'
Yes, ma am. with quivering lips
Aunt Jane threw her head on he
pillow and laughed Jennie tremble,
as she heard the laugh. Then sh
Strengthened herself and waited 70
what her aunt might say next. Wha
she did say was this:
'Iknow what Dick sheldon after.
No response from the girl. A man
step was now heard walking acros
the kitchen floor; the step paused
and the gay whistle of a bar OF Roy
wife penetrated shrilly into the bed
room. The robin in the pear tire
opened her eyes wider and ruftiel
a feather: then settled down again
Il tell you. | know what Die
Sheldon : after.
What"
| The question burst from the girl a
i she had tried Intellectually to kee
it back.
Il shouldn't think you d want I
find out. you hadn't been a foe
you'd known yourself. Money
Money. That what.