The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-08-09

lSutN, lne iuSI StNle OF tulI TOOm was
as bad as the first.
She was trying to balance the big
hat on its candlestlck again. as the
final touch. when her husband, who
had been standing unobseryed in the
doorway, spoke: might poor, be
logged mortal inquire the meaning of
these awful orgies? | shall tell Rhoda!
Want some help? | could break the
crockery, you know. and paw up the
rugs, and-er-things."
mo, it's just as Rhoda left it,
think. Isn't 1t dlsgraceful;" she added.
Mr.. Cox looked about. Pretty bad"
he agreed. Does she always leave it
like this?"
Nearly always. The instinct Of order
doesn't seem to be in her. As child
she never picked up her toys, and she
never learned TO put anything in its
place. When had this room fitted up
for her this spring l thought that per
haps she would improve. have some
pride about It. She dld-for weekr'
Mr. Cox reflected. Il seem to re-
member that you never really gave her
n chance to pick np her own play
things" he said And when she
leaves her room in this state you al
ways fix it mp for her"
Nearly always" Mrs Cox repeated.
wearily. II did tonight And then it
suddenly occurred to me that might
be just the trouble-that I'd been
preaching order TO her all her life, and
-and-"
And practcing it for her. too" he
supplied. Exactly Might as well
swing her Indian clubs for her. and
preach her muscles strong! You just
give your bump Of order a much
needed rest for a while. and let Rhoda's
have chance. My. but its warm.
Come down on the porch and cool off
Joe's asleep in the hammock. Hard
work, fishing"
The night was sultry. opprcssive;
suffering humanity gasped and fanned.
But relief was coming. There was a
long prelude Of fitful wind and mutter-
ing thunder. and then, TO crashing
the rain came
Mr.. Cox shook the hammock. ',Toe,
Get up. It's 10 o'clock. You won't
get to bed in time TO get up to go
fishing"
Joe struggled to his feet.
mo fishing II this storm goes and
everything all up" he
yawned. "Rhoda got an umbrella?~
I'm take her one If this doesn't let
up his father said. "You needn't
you 20 to bed"
1t did not let up. and at II O'Clock
MI Cox sailed forth to the party,
laden with raiucoats, overshoes and
You're going to have company he
announced, cheerfully, on his return.
"Margery InneSs is coming to stay all
night with Rhoda. She and her brother
drove over for the party. and Of course
they can't go back in this storm; so
John is going home with David, and
Marcie is coming here"
Mrs. Cox had started mp the stairs.
Her husband made dash and planted
himself on the step above her.
over my dead body-' he threa tened.
you are not going to change that
room"
But. Howard. I mustr' she pleaded.
THE guest room isn't aired. and |
simply can't let Margery Inness see
Rhoda's room ms il looks now BIT
don't know Mrs. Inness. ana her rppu.
tation as q housokeeper is something
appalling"
1T Is that" Mr.. Cox agreed. "rrhat
reputation is twenty four miles square.
If It's an inch. They do say" he added.
darkly "tlmt she makes Inncss fold up
his newspapers and lay them on the
tablc-think of that And I've heard
that"
Howard" his wife rebuked. laugh
ing
Well, let's Just leave that room as it
it," he coaXed. why, don't you see
The very weather is playing your
game sending Margery here. She has
never stayed with Rhoda before, has
shef Well Rhoda will be terribly
ashamed, and she'll reform and be n
model Of orderllness foreyermore. This
is the tide In the affairs Of men-you
mustn't let II pass"
He had been gradually backing up-
stairs, adrotly blocking Mrs. Cox in
her attempts to pass him. AZ the door
OF Rhoda's dlmly lighted room he
stopped.
That's really the worst-looking room
| ever saw" he said, ioyfully. with the
air OF a connOlsseur. "Mrs. Inness vii
wash Marsery's eyes out with soap ant
water; and of 0se she'll never le
her play wifi. .. ! again. shouldn't
in her place"
But, Howard" Mrs, Cox began.
"Unhand me, woman" he tbundered
lmprisoning her with sweep Of hi
arm. You are NOT going in. As hor
rible example this room is n wonder
ana | shall keep you from spelling /
II II takes all night. VIII you com,
away peaceably, or shall carry you
MADAME"
"Oh, I'll come" she surrendered
laughing.
She was still awake when the girl
came home. she heard them tellinl
the boys their merry good nights o
the steps; she heard them chatterln
over their wraps In the hall; and sh
heard them feeling their way slowl
up the stairs in the dark.
you've never seen my room, hav
you?" Rhoda's clear. happy vote
rcacbed her "Ifs the very nratffes