The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-12

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MAUD r. MAYNE

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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, girIish 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 tirelessIy, scratching
own its final judgment with relent-
vigor; then it stopped suddenly,
be examination papers dropped
"a 10 to the floor.
II be ye those art students down.
stairs ads ltely hate met" she said
''I'm sure therine looked it as /
passed her jus now If I've friend
in this house Mt know it-or any
where else, for o. matter. Just let
q woman grow old glla ugly and half
sick, and friends fly faster than trash
In a March gale!"
She was looking out, as she spoke,
at the little whirling eddies Of dust.
the gate that crealIed 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 ez-
claimed. And cross enough was her
Come in," when a knock upon her
door gave her 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, ''I've
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 bel" said Miss
Hutton, severely.
Katherine's eyes flashed. "And SO
ought you'll" she retoFted. 81 was rude
in the hall. but you were more rude
at the table; and you hurt Anits's
feelings dreadfully. You ought tc
know how sensitive she IS about hel
mose!"
''Who said anything about hel
mose?" 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 nos,
V1T1 an -.
think, Miss Hutton. / think you
disposition needs making over a dea
worse than Anita's nose!"
.'And / think you've forgotten you
penitence and turned"
Turned fury! Yes, I have, ant
now that you've paved the way III
tell you what / think Of you and re
1ieye my mind. think you are tht
most selfish, snappish, disagreeabl
woman l ever knew. / don't believt
you ever said a kind thing in you
life II there's an ugly trait in any
body youth discover and develop it
You can make me so furious in fiv,
minutes that feel like a perfect say
age! bate you'll And everybod!
hates you' And can't imagine wha
people like you were born for!"
Kathie was storming downstairs il
a passion Of tears, when a good
natured little old gentleman, remov
ing his coat in the lower hall, cam
busting up with a ''Bless me, Mis-
Kathie, what's II all about?"
"Oh, Mr.. Shepard" walled the girl
"sI've gone and done it now! I've SAT-
every impudent thing could to Mis-
Hutton and made her mad as a we
hen, and myself still madder."
"'Tut-tut, Miss Kathie. T. neve
knew you vexed in my life. Woul
call you a thorough little lady. Tha
is what Mrs. Shepard has alWay
called you.R
"I-I used to be" sobbed the cir
and she laughed Historically as sh
went on: "Did you hear her tell Mr..