, 1905-12-06


nights stir your stumps right along and
don't tell her that it's time she was in.
| know how to work this cure, and I
don't want YOU to Spite It"
I've lived longer'n you have, and l
never knew the moonlight to euro any
body yet" he said In sulky tones.
Then | may learn you something
new. Just do as | tell you and I'll have
something more to explain blmeby."
That evening the moon rose az big as
a barrel and as bright ms n new silver
dollar, and the old folks went to bed
at 8 O'Clock and left their t~wenty-year-
old daughter swinging in the hammock
In the moonlight In plain view of any
body passing along the highway.
When Uncle Rcube retired. his wife
was sitting by the open window facing
the rosd. An hour later. when some
noise awoke him.. she was still sitting
there.
MA Fenshnw. have you gone crazyP"
he asked rs re sat UP in bed.
SIS $-sllt' she replied.
is il n one trying to get into the
smokehouse?"
NO; of course not. Didn't you hear
him whistling? He saw Molly In her
hammock as plain us day, but his pride
wouldn't let him stop. He even pre-
tended not to look this way. He'll
come to it. though"
What on earth are you Cabling
about?'
Nothing. I'm coming right to bed.
I've been sitting up to let my tired feet
cool off,"
Uncle Reube was too sleepy to ask
further questions. On the following
night, however, when he awoke again
and found Aunt Hilda carefully crawl
ing out of bed, he became % curious
10 remain silent longer.
Nov, then," he began, wide awake
with interest, 'if you don't tell me all
about it I'll boiler right outl There is
some mystery going on here. and I'm
going to know what it Is"
We'll. you are such an old hen huzzy
that l s'pose I've got to tell you. Did
you know that Molly and Joe Williams
had quarreled?'
MOO. Why, they are engaged"
That's nothing to do with it. Me
and you never quarreled till after we
vas engaged. Yes, they quarreled
about one of them Taylor gals. She
went in to cut Molly out"
"Shoo! Come to think of 1t, Joe
hasn't been here IN a week"
ooh, you've just remembered that,
have you? No, he hain't been here, and
Molly hasn't sent him any word either.
Cba', cfo ,1Ipn ~ For bar riOIfo
"Waal?"
"Waal. a woman don't want to carry
her rights too far. She's out there in
the hammock to give Joe Williams n
chance to see and speak to her if he
wants to. If he does want to. she'll
call him Mr. Williams and be very dig
niied until she knows he's real sorry"
"Shoo! What critters women arel SO
that's your moonlight cure?'
Yes, that's it, but you needn't tell
the whole neighborhood. Joe has been
past the house these last two nights,
and I'm looking for tomorrer night to
effect Il cure. If he wasn't conscience
stricken and yearning to make up he
wouldn't be sneaking around as he is.
Now, go to sleep"
Uncle Reuben had forgotten all about
love and romance, but when the third
night came he couldn't sleep. Aunt
Hilda tried to bundle him off to bed,
but he stuck by the window.
Il want to see his thing out as much
as you do, and / won't bulge one inch"
he declared ~obstinately.
He didn't, but there was room for
two to watch. They went upstairs
promptly at 8 o'clock, and at half past
10 Joe Williams whistle was heard
down the road.
ITS what they calls a crisis, hain't
it2" whispered Uncle Reube.
You keep still and never mind about
c~risises. He's whistling The Old Folks
at Home because he knows it's Molly's
favorite. Now | can see him. Now
he's walking past, but he Is looking
this way for all he's worth. Now he's
gone on"
And your moonlight cure has failed!"
"Shet up! Now he's coming back.
Now he's at the gate. Now he's cough
ing. Now he's pushed the gate open
and is walking right in. Now-now"-
Nov what?"
There isn't any more nows to it, but
If you don't get up in the morning to
find Molly singing about the house like
she used to then o can giggle around
and say there's nothing In the moon
light cure and that a mother ifty-fve
wears old don't know enough to take