Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-07-30

UPON BANANA PEEL.
gravitatlon had launched her suddenly
upon the angular form Of Mr.. Gill as
he stopped over to pick up the nickel
she had dropped.
A natural anxiety for the cream
cakes caused a rather heavier settle
ment than usual, and Mr.. Gill suffered
accordingly. But as he was very polite
he accepted apologies protestingly and
after being brushed off with broom
took two more cream cakes from his
stock, sat upon the piazza with Mary
Ann and ate them sociably, though
gaspingly, for his respiration was bad
ly affected for several minutes.
This was a long past incident now
and acquaintance had rlpened to affec-
ton. Jefferson's life was lonely, he
had a snug sum in the bank and lately
his mind dwelt largely upon Mary
Ann.
"Going to be q circus" he announced
one warm afternoon, Saturday. Want
| to go?"
The hand holding out the glass OF
milk she had brought him unclasped in
excitement. "Do II" cried the object
| of his attentions. "Oh, murder! What
did drop that for? Let me get the
| mop"
AS she hurried In from the porch
| Jefferson gazed mournfully at his shoe
| and the white stream trickllng over
the floor. I'm half afraid to take
| her." he muttered. "Shes sure to have
| something happen. Never did see her
| like for dropping things and falling
down. It's her way, though" he added
| CALAMITY, "and she'll get over 1t.
| Growed too fast; that's ALL"
The appearance Of Mary Ann with
| mop, towel, n fresh offering from the
dairy and a joyful smile dispelled his
annoyance. She gave couple of Wig
orous wipes with the mop, then fell
| upon her knees and scrubbed the
anointed shoe with great energy.
ITS too badl I'm awful sorry, Jeff.
| Leaked in on your stocking, didn't It?
| OF course I'll go to the show. Amt 1
the clumslest thing? Pa says I'll be
the death OF somebody yet! I'll wear
| my new hat"
| Come come" cried Jefferson, break
| ing In on her disjointed ordinations,
| don't bother with that old shoe. Sit
| up here by me, and III tell you" His
| nand rested lightly on the curly head.
Don't" he said gently. Il hate to see
You doing that"
| The girl looked up quickly, then
down. and rubbed harder than before.
| That rapid glance in the blue eyes
made Mr.. Gill's heart hutter wildly.
| He saw blush stealing down the bent
| white neck. His hand stole to her
| white wrist and clasped 1t firmly.
| "No, Mary Ann" he whispered, II
can't bear for you TO be cleaning my
| shoes"
81 don't mind" whispered the girl.
| But she rose obediently and suddenly
| turned from him. "rhey call me
| Mary Ann the Unlucky,'" he heard
| her murmur. "Mebbe"- She pulled
her hand away, brushed by him Into
the house, and he saw her eyes were
| full OF tears.
| Jefferson rose agltatedly. This was
very unlike Mary Ann. BE ready at
2 o'clock Saturday" he called after
her.
"All right, JEFF" came back n smoth-
cred reply, and Mr.. Gill departed In
some bewllderment.
81 must have grabbed her too hard"
he mused anXiously. Lord knows {
| didn't mean to nurt her. pshawi /
was just going TO say something"
Jefferson felt pride in Mary Ann. He
had stcered her Tor she HIM success
fully through the crowd. She had en-
! joyed herself hugely and been sparing