Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-07-13
I nervous; that was the fault Of tn

George. Let his walk home with thai
silly Sadie Grfggs if he enjoyed such
company, and he seemed to. Size walked
deeorously beside her sister and brother.
in-law, who were discussing anew the
little shortcut through the alters.
1t is all right, JEAN. said he, 80.
you to be kind to Mary Ann, but dont
like her conspicuous way of supplying
you with herbs, and as for that patti
through the alders, shall have it closed
with good strong fence before the
ground freezes. We have no use for il
ourselves, and if Mary Ann or the Other
paupers wish to visit US, let them come
around by the road"
Now, Jack, what harm does it do?'
said his wife in her gentle way. 1T is
full mile farther by the road and poor
McDougall is too rheumatic to take any
extra steps, and her visits to us and my
little gifts to her are the only solace she
has"
You make nuisance of her." SAID
Viola, who was feeling hard and bitter
against the whole world in spite of heI
naturally sunny disposition. You Cant
on, Ito hear her tell folks you are just
like sister to her, and see her rush uE
to you, when you chance to meet in pub
lie, and greet you with all the familiarity
of an intimate friend. And that short
cut through the alders," here her voice
grew hard with misery as she thought
OF George, who had once kept it well
worn with his frequent calls, but now
never designed to use it, that shortcut
is a nuisance, as Jack says, and
wouldn't keep it open for the benefit OF
tramps and paupers any longer"
why, Viola!" said Jean in surprise
what ails you to-day? You know il
would break poor McDougall's heart tc
close that path, and you have always
been so kind to her, too
But they had now reached the house
and Viola rushed to her room without
pausing to reply.
The next day she threaded her way
through the winding alder-bordered
patch in search of wild asters, she said;
but if so, she forgot to gather any, and
was sitting disconsolately on a log by
the old spring, when Mary Ann, in pur.
suit of gold thread, ran upon her. But
for once she had no smile or merry small
talk for the poor old creature who, after
vain attempt at conversation, went or
her way dfconsolately.
That girl amt WE'LL mumbled the
old woman, as she sank down to rest near
the gate which opened on the highway
She won't take pennyroyal nor catnir
nor nothin' but she don look right, and
she don't act right, and she's as cross az
a bear-poor creeter!" And the old crone
shook her head forebodingly.
Now, who is that comin'?" she asked
herself, as she heard heavy step ap-
preaching from the highway. She craned
her neck and strained her dim eyes in the
direction of the sound
George Wayne!" she chuckled. her
face lighting up with sudden inspira-
ton.
Then she did a strange thing She
quickly jerked off one of her rubbers and
hid in beneath her shawl, then began
to moan and complain.
why, Auntie, what's the trouble?"
asked George, leaning on the gate and
gazing down upon her quizzically.
"Oh," she whined, holding out her
foot for his inspection, they
was bran new only last month, and
now ones gone. l dasn't go home with
out it, and l dasn't go back for it and wet
my foot
''You are in bad fix, surely, Auntie,'
said he, loosely, but why can't l find
the missing rubber for you? 1t can't be
far off,"
"Oh, no." said she eagerly. eff you
take the path through the alders and
turn to the left till you reach the spring,
it will be all right, I'm sure, for didn't
go a step beyond there, and thank you
kindly, sir
After making sure he was out of sight
she replaced her rubber and settled back
upon her knoll with self
satisfied smile. He'll find her, and |
never lied once" she chuckled shaking
with silent mirth
She waited patiently a half hour or
more, when she heard the low happy
voices of the young couple approaching,
but before they reached her they turned
back toward the house. She could see
through the tangled alders that his arm
was about Viola's waist and she heard
him murmur, 81 shall always love this
little shortcut for your dear sake" Then
they disappeared, totally forgetting the
old woman whose little scheme had re-
stored their -Housekeeper.
KISSES OF VARIOUS KINDS.
Philosophical French Writer Analyses