The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-05-22
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LOVE IN
A MIST
By Martha McCulloch. Williams
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright. 1902, by the


ture, the very mode and pattern of in
nocent wickedncss. Clothed all in fad
ed calico and Tapping sun hat, her new
pink lawn lay deity hidden in the
depths of her berry basket, with her
bronze ties and clicked silk stockings
nestled snugly underneath. She was
going surreptitiously to a barn dance,
albeit her grandmother thought dane
ing among the deadly sins. She knew
she would get wigging afterward.
Still, she did not mean to let the knowl-
edge in any way dim the splendor Of
the day.
The Radley house lay just beyond
the berry field. Once she reached it
she was safe. Mrs. Radley had indeed
melted her going, offering to take her
in the carryall along with her own
girls. Mrs. Radley was so plump and
yielding and obstinate even Grand
mother Wills could not quarrel with
her. She was as motherly as she was
plump. Now, for two years she had
been persuading her son John to marry
Augusta, $50 as to let the poor thing
have little fun and the chance to feel
that her soul was her own" John and
Augusta had laughed Jointly over his
mothers matchmaking. They were the
best friends in the world, but had quite
other views for themselves.
Here's a hat, Gussie. l knew you
never could smuggle out that fine chip
fiat you have not worn twice this sum
mer," Mrs. Radley said, setting pic
turesque rough straw turban upon the
runaway's head as the last hook on the
pink lawn snapped into place. "My,
but you do look prettyw she went on.
Then over her shoulder to John, Shell
outshine everybody, won't she, Jack"
Except one" John answered. Rose
Lee III be there, you know. That re-
minds me. She's to fetch her city couS-
in. There's chance for you, Gus!
Rose says he has more money than he
well knows how to spend"
81 wonder if he has changed" Gus
said, laughing, cor if he is the same
little whining beast he was that sum-
mer nine years ago"
"Why, where did you ever see him?'
John demanded in open eyed wonder.
Again Gussie laughed His grand
mother and mine were cronies at the
springs" she said. Don't you re
member our going to the mountains?
Those two old ladies thought l was
born to take care of Jody. How l
should have hated him if l had not
been so sorry for anything compelled
to suffer that name! He was so sick
ly and spoiled and just plain hateful
along with it. Ugh! I'm sorry he's
coming. He quite scorned dancing
with me-said l was clumsy-but l al
ways believed it was spite. l beat him
SO far when it came to climbing trees
or even throwing rocks
"And you never told me a word of all
this" John said a little reproachfully
Gussie twcaked his ear, answering
softly: "Of course not. You have been
in love with Rose since you wore trou
sers. wouldn't say things about
your dear cousin that was to be, Jody
Fits"
Six double sets were already dane
ing under the big bush arbor when thu
Radlcys drove up. High above thu
dancers a string band played for dca1
life, while the leader of it called tn,
der the trees other people sat. usual,
young people, iittingly paired and 81
rapt one in the other they had eyes 70
little else besides.
A slight young fellow, with a singh
glass dangling from his buttonhol,
leaned against Il near tree trunk, look
ing discontntedly about. He darte
at Gussie and caught both her hand
saying: How dare you be late? Yo
must have known | was pining 70
another real good fight
you cried Enough" and promise
to keep the peace ever after the las
time Gusse protested. Besides,
do not fight enemies any more"
Pm ahead Of YOU" Fits said, draw
ing her hand through his arm. II nc
merely keep the peace with my en-,
mics; love them dearly-one of thel
at least"
"Your pretty speeches must be sadl
in need of air." Gussie said, with Il Ii
tie sidelong look at John. 1t amaze
her to see him frown and turn ava.
gnawing his mustache. Fits caugl
the look and smiled a little. but pres
ed toward the arbor saying as the
reached the edge of it:
'You are going to dance with m
Now, can you longer doubt my dew
tion?"
ooh, I don't know. You were a
ways devoted to yourself" Gussie sal
smiling wickedly.
Fits pretended to frown. 81 see "
are not properly impressed with Il
change in me-" he said. "Understan
have escaped from the Jody STAG
Instead, behold Joe Fits, very mu
at your service. Do you know l can
down here just to find you?"
mo, and l don't think l shall ev
aud - C1SSio ratOrtoi hooti