The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-07-08

up furious Irritation with Mr.. Benning-
ton although his presence bored her al
most to the point of insanity, as George
might know if he took the slightest in
terest in her happiness, but he did not.
Now, when they met, he called her
Miss Files. Miss Files! when they
had pulled hair over their peppermint
drops at four, fought like little savages
over croquet at ten, and been the frank
est and jolliest of chums from that date
to the opening of the present season.
She didn't call him Mr. Wayne. She
would not be such fool There was no
occasion to call him anything A frosty
bow was sufficient to express her present
attitude toward him
But in another week he was going
west. Way out to Oregon! His cousin
told her so. She didn't care. of course,
but there was something very depress-
ing about the weather, and she wished
people wouldn't inquire so solicltously'
about her health and persist in telling
her how pale and thin she was growing.
1t was all imagination on their part. She
felt perfectly we'll only languid and
NERVOUS, ludl was Tue lduiN VI IAS
weather
After the sermon she fingered to avoid
George. Let his walk home with that
silly Sadie Griggs if he enjoyed such
company, and he seemed to. She walked
decorously beside her sister and brother
inlaw, who were discussing anew the
little shortcut through the alders.
ic oil riph said
you to be kind to Mary Ann, but don't
like her conspicuous way of supplying
you with herbs, and as for that pain
through the alders, shall have it closed
with a good strong fence before the
ground freezes. We have no use for 1t
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 a nuisance Of her" said
Viola, who was feeling hard and bitter
against the whole world in spite of her
naturally sunny disposition. You can't
imagine how it mortifies me" she went
on, 'to hear her tell folks you are just
like sister to her, and see her rush up
to you, when you chance to meet IN pup
lie, and greet you with all the familiarity
of an ultimate 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 we'll
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, Violai" said Jean in surprise,
what ails you to-day? You know 1t
would break poor McDougall's heart to
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
pausug 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 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
a vain attempt at conversation, went on
her way disconsolately.
THAT girl amt WELL" mumbled the
old woman, as she sank down to rest near
the gate which opened on the highway.
"She won't take pennyrOyal nor catnlp
nor nothin', but she don't look right, and
she don't act right, and she's as cross as
a bear-poor creeter!" And the old crone
shook her head forebOdingly.
Now, who is that comm? 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 a sudden insplra-
tion.
Then she did 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
rubberless foot for his inspection, they
was bran new only last month, and
now ones gone. l dasn't go home with
out it. and dasn't go back for it and wet
my foot.
s.Xo,, a ro In q had FIX surely Auntia >