The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-02-04
SILLY
BY M. L. AvorY
Copyright, 1909, by the
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Her name was Priscilla, but through
nbbreviaHon and corruption it became
"Silla" and finally degenerated into
"Silly." $50 easy do even names GO to
the dogs, you know" she explained to
Dick.
There were some people In The vii
lage who did not hesitate to say that
Silly herself would $50 to the dogs"
some day, she had such "shiftless
ways" She preferred to wear plain
clothes rather than spend time indoors
on neediework. She could not be
counted on for the sewing circle nor
dragged to the debating society. More
over, she was not as fond OF going to
church and Sunday school as she
might have been.
at Ats me. Dickr' she cried, her
face, pink and white as their petals,
framed in bough of apple blossoms.
Her eyes were as blue as forgetme-
nots. and her hair was like the golden
tassels of the corn. THE name fits.
l haven't any sense, you know"
THAT'S one of your attractions"
drawled Dick. when woman hasn't
any sense. it's really drawing card
in these days. She's a novelty, you
know. Women are so aW fully wise
and clever that they put fellow to
the blush.'
They were sitting on the green grass
within fragrant bower of pearl and
rose. Something like dewdrops gath
cred In the girls forgetmenot eyes.
whats the matter, sweetheart2''
"Dick, It's the name and the fitness
Of the name. 1t seems so absurd to
care about It. But l do. When was
little, 1t seems to me they might have
cared enough about me to let me keep
the sweet name my mother gave me.
suppose they thought 1t was waste
Of time on me to say Priscilla IL l
had been their own child, they'd never
have called me Silly. And to think It'll
stick to me all my life!'
'.If 1t were your last name, now"
said Dick, ~ could change II for you"
Don't be sillyf
you're that when you laugh at my
loyemaking. It's poor, but honest"
"Dick, do you think, like all the rest,
that sensible talk Is wasted on me2 Do
you. Dick7 Oh, what would l not give
to be a wise, clever woman with a dig
nified name! Nobody in the world will
ever take me seriously as long as am
called Sillyw
.I'll take you seriously IL you'll let
me: take you and never let you 60"
"Dick, would you be willing-you, a
varsity man-to have wife called
sillyi You wouldn't! can see 1t In
your eyes. Oh, to do something very
wise and learnedl I'd die happyp'
For heavens sake" cried Dick in
alarm. don't do anything wise and
learnedw
"She never has serious thought
that girl" her aunt remarked. "If her
name don't flt her to Tp'
She was coming up the walk, her
arms full of apple blossoms, her hat
dangling at her side, singing one Of the
ragtime tunes with which she scandal
lied the town.
"She do seem to be light headed" OBJ
served her uncle. Samuel Morris. but.
then, she's good hearted thing"
She could not remember her parents.
They had died when she was 30 little.
She seemed to be sort OF accident In
her uncle and aunt's family, rather
by Gods grace they must put up with.
They lived III an old, old house on the
outskirts Of quaint, rambling old vii
lage. II was set about with orchards
where many birds loved to nest. Silly,
when she might have been embroider-
ing herself petticoat, making crazy
quilt or doing some other sensible
thing, preferred to stay out in the Or
chards with the birds.
Mr.. Samuel Morris dreamed that
burglar was pressing a pillow down
over his face. He tried to cry out, but
could not. He heard great banging
at the door and voice calling:
"Uncle. unclew
Somebody Is killing poor Silly" he
thought, but he could not move.
Then some one was pulling him out
Of bed There were smoke and CLEAN
of shooting flames. Something wet was
slapped over his face. He was being
dragged over the floor and down the
steps by one who painted hard. A voice
Silly screaming:
"Help me save uncle! Somebody go
back for aunt! l couldn't find herp
"No usew voices cried back. Come
out quick! The house is about to fall
inp
"I'll save her or I'll die tryingl Take
uncler'
They told him afterward, the few
neighbors who had seen the fire after
1t was well under way and had come to
help II they could, that as she went
back the steps fell down behind her.
She had jerked the wet blanket from
around him and thrown 1t about her
self.
How she found her aunt in that
smoke filled house, with the roar and
singing OF the flames in her ears, the
fash of fire in her eyes, she never
could tell. But find her she did. lying
insensible on the floor. She jerked the
sheets from bed, tore them into
strips, tied these together and bound
one end around her aunt's waist, think
fnQ aB abe did SO:
"Ah, how can I lift her and lower
her from the window without killing
herr
But she did 1t, this wise, strong young
Silly, who looked to those below like a
goddess of the flames. Younger anc
more daring help had come. A ladder
reaching part way up was against the
uncertain walls. Dick was climbing it.
lie received her burden as she lowered
II and passed 1t ON to those below. Then
he held out his arms.
Come, beloved" he said. Come
quicklyp
She had fastened one end Of the rope
about her waist, the other about the