The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-08-27
Miss Hutton
By
MAUD II. MAYNE
. ATHIE was patting Anita's plump
n hand reassuringly, as Miss Hut

II TATHIE was patting Anita's plump
n hand reassuringly, as Miss Hut
ton hurried by them in the hall.
She's just spiteful old maid, and
| wouldn't mind a minute!" the indig-
nant, girlish voice rang out.
Then two doors banged violently,
and Miss Hutton stood within her own
apartment, a scowl upon her forehead
to fatty contradict the dry smile that
moved her lips.
She said not a word, but going to
her desk, removed huge pile of pa
pers and sat down determinedly to
mark them. For half an hour her
pencil checked tirelessly, scratching
down its final judgment with relent-
less vigor; then It stopped suddenly,
and the examination papers dropped
in heap to the floor.
81 believe those art students down
stairs absolutely hate mel" she said
I'm sure Katherine looked 1t as
passed her just now. II I've a friend
in this house I don't know it-or any,
where else, for that matter. Just let
woman grow old and ugly and half
sick, and friends fly faster than trash
in March gale!"
She was looking out, as she spoke,
at the little whirling eddies Of dust
the gate that creaked on its rusty
hinges. the swinging and swaying Of
the bare brown trees. "It makes me
cross as two sticks when the wind
bangs things about like this!" she ex-
claimed. And cross enough was her
Come in," when a knock upon her
door gave her a sudden start
II was determined young face that
looked in upon her then. with brown
eyes steady. though the round chin
quivered-
Miss Hutton" said Katherine, 1--WE
come to apologize for my rude speech
in the hall. I'm very much ashamed
of myself for letting my temper go
| like that"
We'll, you ought to bel" said Miss
Hutton, severely.
Katherines eyes flashed. And so
ought you!" she retorted. I was rude
in the hall, but you were more rude
at the table; and you hurt Anita 8
| feelings dreadfully. You ought to
know how sensitive she is about her
nose!"
who said anything about her
nose?" demanded Miss Hutton.
"Who else has broken one?"
blazed the girl. "Tor shame to COM
ment upon another's misfortune!
Anita's not to blame because her nose
was broken. And I'll tell you what I
think. Miss Hutton. think your
disposition needs making over deal
worse than Anita's nose!"
"And think you've forgotten your
penitence and turned"
| Turned fury! Yes. have, and
now that you've paved the way III
tell you what l think of you and re-
lieve my mind. think you are the
most selfish. snappish, disagreeable
woman I ever knew. don't believe
you ever said a kind thing in your
life. If there's an ugly trait In any
body you'll discover and develop it!
You can make me so furious in five
minutes that feel like a perfect saw
age! I hate you! And everybody
hates you! And can't imagine what
people like you were born fort"
Kathie was storming downstairs in
a passion of tears, when a good
natured little old gentleman, remov-
ing his coat in the lower hall, came
bustling up with a BLESS me, Miss
Kathie, what's it all about?"
"Oh, Mr.. Shepard" walled the girl
every impudent thing I could to Miss
Hutton and made her mad as wet
hen. and myself still nader"
"Tut-tut, Miss Kathie. never
knew you vexed in my life I would
call you a thorough little lady. That
is what Mrs Shepard has always
called you"
Il used to be-" sobbed the girl
and she laughed Historically as she
went on; did you hear her tell Mrs
Barnes that her dear little Johnnie
was so fat he was deformed? And
she called our good Mr.. Lamb a cant.
ing hyprocrite. and only to-day al
lunch made a malicious speech about
the Lord breaking some folks noses
instead OF their high spirits. because
Anita happened TO laugh in her pres.
ence. tell you I'd rather have
smallpox in the house than that soul
old gooseberry!"
Mr.. Shepard shook his head, shocked
and a trife bewildered. my dear
lady!" he cried. mot smallpox! Not
q gooseberry! wouldn't say that!"
IL said worse things than that right