Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-11-18

Another stile," said I, cheerfully.
Dear me, that's the fourthr' said
Chloe, resignedly. II do wish they'd
make gates between the fields" .ss.a
"A stiles more picturesque" said I.
Every possibly" said Miss Bohun,
indifrerenty. "Its certainly not as
convenient" $3.50 " 4 9
"Ah," said I, smiling, there's one
thing, at any rate, in which men are
superior. They can negotiate st1le."
"Indeedr' said Chloe, loftily. II
should have thought the feat was not
impossible for woman" pursed up
my lips. "Any woman can get over
Stiles" she said, warmly, seeing my
skepticism. ...- .-. ~,..-e.
"Oh, I've no doubt" said I. politely.
ITS nonsense your saying that
when I can see you don't believe it."
said Miss Bohun. You're simply
pleased to be sarcastic all along"
I shrugged my shoulders. She march
ed coldly and confidently toward the
stile. It took off high ground, which,
1 suppose, accounted for the absence
Of step. But there were two cross
bars to assist the climber. I thought
Chloe's face fell as she noted it.
Let me give you hand" said.
'Nonsensel' she replied. 81 don't
want any assistance. It's quite easy"
She put the hand which was not en-
numbered by the sunshade on the top
bar and placed one neat foot on the
lowest, Then she hesitated. -.
Perhaps I'd better take the sun,
shade" suggested.
She did not answer at once; then, 'if
you wish it." she replied, nonchalant-
ly, though it's Of no consequence"
I took the sunshade and waited.
Chloe's two feet were now on the
lowest bar. She peered over. The
stile let down beyond in a big drop
into kind Of hollow or ditch.
"Ohr' said she. II DIDN'T" I
was still waiting. @
''I wish you'd go on and not stare IN
that atrocious way" said she, with
asper1ty.
1 begged pardon, vaulted the sdle
with one hand and strolled on. Pres
emily looked back. Miss Bohun was
seated astride the top bar, clinging
with both hands to it. Her face was
deeply flushed.
do go onv' she called out, vehe-
mently. I went on leisurely. But,
somehow, I could not make up my
mind to walk br1skly. She did not
join me, so flung myself on the grass
and pulled out cigarette. Then I
heard my name called in a distressful
voice. 1 stood up and looked around
Miss Bohun was astride the top bar
and she was pinker than ever.
please come-don't be so unkindp'
she cried with tears in her voice. I
hurried back like the wind.
"Oh, just give me your handv pant
ed Chloe, nervously lifting one from
the bar. II can't-it's such a long
drop. l can't get n.y.
"Wait a Bit" said I, considering.
you're half way over now. You've
only got to lift that foot off the bar
IT shall go over. know shall go
over" she said, pathetically.
"No, you WON'T" said I. ut only
requires confidence. Imagine you're
on horse and"
"But / don't ride horse this way"
said Chloe, miserably.
NO." said I, "but men do; and wom-
en- are just as good AS"
Its cruel of you-it's beastly, when
I'm in such perilv" sobbed Bohun. She
clutched wildly for me with the trem-
bling hand she had disengaged. I
seized it and her.
"Now just lift that foot" enjoined.
Chloe's weight lay limp on my shoul-
der.
ST can't get it free. It's stuck" she
said pit1fully. I moved closer, still
with my burden on my shoulder, and
Ioosed the dainty foot. "Now," I said.
She lifted it gingerly. Don't mind
your ankles" I said
"Oh, but am" Her foot went
back. "Shut your eyes, please" she
entreated. I shut my eyes. The next
instant the weight on me was doubled
and two arms went stranglingly about