Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-12-03
Miss Hutton
MAUD r. MAYNE

u ATHlE was patting Anita's plump
IN hand reassuringly. as Miss Hut
ton hurried by them in the hall
,"She's just a 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 a huge pile of pa
pers and sat down determinedly TO
mark them. For half an hour her
pencil checked ttrelessly, scratching
down its final judgment with relent-
less vigori then It stopped suddenly.
and the examination papers dropped
in a heap TO the floor.
81 believe those art students down
stairs absolutely hate mel she said
I'm sure Katherine looked It 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
a woman grow old and ugly and half
sick, and friends fly faster than trash
in a March galel"
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. 1T makes me
cross as two sticks when the wind
bangs things about like thisl" she ex-
claimed And cross enough was her
Come in" when a knock upon her
door gave her a sudden start
II was a determined young face that
looked in upon her then. with brown
eyes steady, though the round chin
quivered
Miss Hutton" said Katherine. eve
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
Katherine's eyes flashed. And so
ought youl" she retorted. Il was rude
In the hall. but you were more rude
at the table; and you hurt Anita's
feelings dreadfuliy. You ought to
know how sensitive she is about her
uosel"
who said anything about her
nose?" demanded Miss Hutton
who else has a broken one?"
blazed the girl For shame 10 com
ment upon another's misfortunel
Anita's not TO blame because her nose
was broken. And I'll tell you what
think. Miss Hutton. ! think your
disposition needs making over a deal
worse than Anita's nosei"
"And think you've forgotten your
penitence and turned"
Turned fury Yes. have. and
now that you've paved the way I'll
tell you what I think OF you and re-
lieve my mind l think. you are the
most selfish, snappish, disagreeable
woman I ever knew | don't believe
you ever said~a kind thing In your
life II there's an ugly trait In any
body you'll discover and develop Il!
You can make me so furious in five
minutes that feel like perfect saw
agel I hate youi And everybody
hates youl And | can't imagine what
people like You were born fort"
Kathie was storming downstairs in
a passion Of tears, when good
natured little old gentleman. remov-
ing his coat in the lower hall. came
busting up with a Bless me. Miss
Kathie, what's 1t all aboat?"
"oh. Mr.. Shepard." walled the girl
i've gone and done Il now! I've said !
every impudent thing could to Miss
Hutton and made her mad as a wet |
hen. and myself still madden"
"'Tut-tut, Miss Kathie never |
knew you vexed in my life. 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 can't
ing hyprocrite. and only to-day at
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 sour
old gooseberryi"
Mr.. Shepard shook his head. shocked
and a triie bewildered. Ny dear
isdyi" he cried. Not smallpox! Not
4 gooseberryi wouldn't say that"
u safd urorsa things than that right