The Tomahawk., 1903-08-27
Miss Hutton
By
MAUD Il. MAYNE

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II ATHIE 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
l wouldn't mind minute!" the indig-
nant, girlish voice rang out.
Then two doors banged violently,
and Miss Hutton stood within her own
apartment, scowl upon her forehead
to fatty contradict the dry smile that
moved her lips.
She said not 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 it's final judgment with relent-
less vigor; then it stopped suddenly,
and the examination papers dropped
in a heap to the floor.
"I believe those art students down
stairs absolutely hate mel" she said.
"I'm sure Katherine looked it as
passed her just now. If I've friend
in this house 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 March gale!"
She was looking out, as she spoke,
at the little whirling eddies of dust.
the gate that creaked on it's 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 this!" she ex-
claimed. And cross enough was her
"Come in," when a knock upon her
door gave her a sudden start.
It 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
"Well, you ought to be!" said Miss
Hutton, severely.
Katherine's eyes flashed. "And so
ought you!". she retorted. II was rude
in tie hall, but you were more rude
at the table; and you hurt Anita's
feelings dreadful1y. You ought to
know how sensitive she is about her
nose!"
"Who said anything about her
nose?" demanded Miss Hutton.
who else has a broken one?"
blazed the girl. @'For shame to COM
ment upon another's misfortune!
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 deal
worse than Anita's nose!"
"And think you've forgotten your
penitence and turned"
Turned fury! Yes, I 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. I don't believe
you ever said 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 I 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
bustling up with "B1ess me, Miss
Kathie, what's it all about?'
"Oh, Mr. Shepard" walled the girl
1--WE gone and done it now! I've said
every impudent thing I could to Miss
Hutton and made her mad as wet
hen, and myself still madder."
"Tut-tut, Miss Kathie. never
knew you vexed in my life. I would
call you 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 I tell you I'd rather have
smallpox in the house than that sour
old gooseberry!"
Mr.. Shepard shook his head, shocked
and trif1e bewildeTed. My dear
Iadyip he cried mot smallpox! Not
n rooeeharTvf 7 uoIT1Gnst saw thati"
"I said worse things than that right