The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-07-04


IN general" Sue complained, lugubri-
ously.
"But even tired people must help
cach other" Mae insisted. Let us
ask Mrs, Brelle to suggest some
thing"
The pretty widow was in ham
mock, with Barnes in chatting dis
tance on the piazza steps, and she
did not welcome interruption.
"Will you?" called Joe, upon her 81
lence.
"Will I what?" pouting.
"Help us to help Unc' Shucks?"
sand who" only half hiding a
yawn, sis hep"
ale is old and poor and blind" eX-
planned Mae, making her climax with
most sweet compassion.
"And black" added practical Louise,
'as the ace of spades"
The pretty widow looked bewitch-
ingly reproachful. mo country poor
house?" she murmured.
A rather chilled silence fell upon
the piazza group. Macs sensitive face
flushed. Barnes went up the steps to
her side.
eve cannot spare old Shucks to go
there,"he said, and enviously watched
L fieck of moonlight bending to the
cipples of her hair.
"Thank you''-shy, sweet eyes
raised for an instant to his-"and will
you help?"
He wanted to tell her that he would
beg, dig, burn-do any outlandish
dangerous deed she willed; but the
words halted. He only got bit red
md nodded.
"Oh, if he's pet" said Mrs. Brelle,
5ulkily, wed best take up collec-
ion-that is the shortest way out of
such annoyances."
''He's in the, turn of the road, 60
ng out to the golf Inks" Louise put
n, refectively: she was housekeeper
md found provisions an easier meth
If charity than cash. when we go
~ for the big game next Tuesday we
night give him a donation party"
There was murmur of applause,
o which Mrs. Brelle added soft
land-clapping. The act displayed
10Th hands and rings, and she smiled
With pleasure over them.
''Very WELL" she assented, gracious
v; 'I'll send barrel of -four"
Mae threw grateful kiss from her
niger tips, but the widow was look
ng to Barnes and missed it.
Good nights were beginning. Get
ing from her hammock, the pretty
widow gave a little start of alarm
,uch a shrill, weird call had rung out
If the grove: "Who-who!"
''Screech owl" announced Joe. And
3arnes added, in appropriately sepul-
,hral tones the old saw: ''When a
:creech owl calls, witches answer"
"I hope he isn't calling his witches"
aid Mae, "to Unc' Shucks' donation"
'"They're worse than witches"
aughed Joe, "who have that business
n hand. Just don't let them forget
obacco, and Unc' Shucks' luck is Sc
ure."
she has tobacco"
$50 like Mae" said Louise, "to take
'obacco first"
swell, pipe" Joe protested, grave
y, puts heart into man.
"And next in value" suggested
}arnes, "shall we sprinkle him with
little silver?'
Don't tell me any more" cried
dae; "I'm too happy"
The pretty widow was coming up
he steps and noted the girls face,
md how Barnes sought the light of
t.. She followed to Macs door.
"Can ! come in, dear, for min
he?"
Mae drew up a cozy chair and wait
ID absently beside it. Her eyes were
till radiant, a dreamy look in them,
lappy and shy. The tone of Barnes
oce fingered with her and the look
hat said good night" Hard to strike
uch a face frightened and white, but
ne pretty widow smiled and com
aS@ed it.
"You must forgive me, love, for
hitting that your impulsive ways are
iabls TO be misinterpreted.'
81 beg pardon" growing attentive
With a start. "What did you say?"
"Mr. Barnes is a man of the world"
emily, accustomed to a Irritation as
~ wine at dinner He"
"wait" with unexpected dignity
i do sot care to hear you speak OF
,ir hrnes. But of me-you were
aging something of me?"
Wen" rising with an angry flush
you ere refusing kindness. One
Joula think that you mean--the way
on lsSa."
The way / look?"
AMY dear child" over shoulder as
he went to the door, you look up al
aim as if you were kneeling before 6
shrine
In those next days Barnes could
aot guess what the trouble was--hov