The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1901-07-05
Unc' C6uckS and
-. tie Witches.
Dy E. E. Garnet.

DuC cFCA IIASu PSoPAS AAAoSO A~oAf
each other Mae insisted. "Let us
ask Mrs. Brelle to suggest some
thing"
The pretty widow was in ham
mock, with Barnes in chatting dis
lance on the piazza steps, and she
did not welcome interruption.
"Will your" called Joe, upon her 81
lence.
"Will what ?" pouting.
"Help us to help Unc' Shucks?"
"And who," only half hiding q
yawn, lis he?"
HE is old and poor and blind, ex'
planned Mae, making her climax with
q most sweet compassion.
'And black" added practical LOUISE
"'as the ace of spades"
The pretty widow looked bewitch'
lngly reproachful. mo country poor
louse?" 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
a fleck of moonlight bending to the
ripples 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
and nodded.
"oh. if he's pet" said Mrs. Brelle
sulkily, "we'd best take up collec'
tion-that is the shortest way out OF
= such annoyances."
49,, .sHe's in the turn of the road, 60
ing out to the golf Inks" Louise put
in. re1ectively; she was housekeeper
and found provisions an easier meth
of charity than cash. when we 60
by for the big game next Tuesday we
might give him donation party.
There was murmur of applause
to which Mrs. Brelle added soft
hand clapping. The act displayed
both hands and rings, and she smiled
with pleasure over them.
very well, she dSScllCcu, 81 oSAou'
": "l'll send barrel of -four"
Mac threw a era teful kiss from her
finger tips, but the widow was look.
ing to Barnes and missed it.
Good nights were beginning. Get
ting from her hammock, the pretty
widow gave little start of alarm
such shrill, weird call had rung out
xvv1~~
"Screech OWL" announced Joe. And
Barnes added, in appropriately sepul-
chral tones, the old saw: "When a
screech owl calls, witches answer"
81 hope he isn't calling his witches,'
said Mae, ito Unc' Shucks' Donation y
"They're worse than Witches y
laughed Joe, "who have that business
in hand. Just don't let them forget
tobacco, and Unc' Shuclks' luck is Sc
cure,".
.I-he has tobacco"
$50 like Mae" said Louise, ITO take
tobacco first.'
"Well, a pipe" Joe protested, grave
", "puts heart into man."
land next in value" suggested
Barnes, shall we sprinkle him with
little silver?"
Don't tell me any MORE" cried
Mac; I'm too happy"
The pretty widow was coming mp
the steps and noted the girls face,
and how Barnes sought the light OF
it. She followed to Macs door.
"Can 1 come in, dear, for min
ute?"
Mae drew up a cozy chair and wait
ed absently beside it. Her eyes were
still radiant, a dreamy look in them
hanpy and shy. The tone of Barnes
voice fingered with her and the look
that said good night" Hard to strike
such face frightened and white, but
the pretty widow smiled and com
passed it.
"You must forgive me, love, for
limiting that your impulsive ways are
liable to be misinterpreted.'
"I beg pardon" growing attentive
with a start. ''What did you say"
"Mr. Barnes is man of the world
gently, "accus toned to filtration as
to his wine at dinner. He"
"Wait!" with unexpected dignity
81 do not care to hear you speak OF
Mr.. Barnes. But of me-you were
saying something of me?"
well" rising with an angry flush
"you are refusing Kindness. One
would think that you mean-the way
you look"
"The way look?"
INV dear child" over a shoulder as
she went to the door, ''you look up at
him rs if you were kneeling before
shrinc.''
In those next days Barnes could
not guess what the trouble was-hoW