The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-06-15
Darrell Of THE
BLESSED ISLES
By IRVING B ACHELLER,
Author of Holden" "Dri l." Etc.
COPYRIGHT 1905 LorHRoP COMPANY

mince, steaming volcanoes Of new bis
cult and great heap Of apple fritz
tiers lay in setting of blue china.
They stood moment by the stove
the two sisters-both trembling in this
unusual publicity. Miss Letitia had
her hand upon the teapot.
Our tea Is ready" said she present
ly, advancing to the table. She spoke
in low, gentle tone.
'This Is grandg' said he, sitting down
with them. II tell you Wen have fun
before 1 leave here"
They looked up at him and then at
each other, Letitia laughing silently,
SAMANTHA suspicious. For many years
fun had been a thing far from their
thought.
'Play checkers% he inquired.
"Afraid we couldn't" said Miss Le-
titia, answering for both.
"Old SledgeT'
She shook her head, smiling.
81 don't wish to lead you into rec',-
lessness," the teacher remarked, "but
I'm sure you wouldn't mind being
happy"
Miss SAMANTHA had startled look.
'In-in a-proper way" he added.
Lets be joyful Perhaps we could
play I spy"
"Yv' they both exclaimed, laughing
silently.
"Never ate chicken pie like that" he
added in all sincerity. IF I were
poet I'd indite an ode written after
eating some Of the excellent chicken
pie of the Misses Tower I'm going to
have some like 1t on my farm"
In reaching to help himself he touch
ed the teapot, withdrawing his hand
quickly.
Burn ye?" said Miss SAMANTHA.
"Yes, but like it," said he, bit en-
barrassed. 81 often go and-put my
hand on a hot teapot IL I'm having too
much fun"
They looked up at him, puzzled.
Ever slide down hill?" he inquired,
looking from one to the other after a
bit of silence.
ooh, not since we were little" said
Miss Letitia, holding her biscuit dain-
tily after taking a bite none too big for
bird to manage.
"Good fun," said he. "Whisk you
back to childhood in a jiffy.N Folks
ought to slide down hill more'n they
do 1t isn't good idea to be always
climbing"
"'Fraid we couldn't stan It," said
Miss SAMANTHA tentatively. Under all
her man fear and suspicion lay fur
tive recklessness.
"Y, nor the other whispered, laugh
ing silently.
The pervading silence of that house
came flooding in between sentences.
For moment Trove could hear only
the gurgle of pouring tea and the faint
rattle of china softly handled. When
he felt as if the silence were drown
ing him he began again:
life is nothing but a school. I'm n
teacher, and deal in rules. If you
want to kill misery load your gun
with pleasure"
"Do you know of anything for in
digestion said Miss SAMANTHA, charg.
ing her sickly voice with a firmness
calculated to discourage any undue
familiarity.
"Just the thing-a sure curew' said
he emphatically.
"Come highY she inquired.
"No; it's cheap and plenty"
"Where do you sendT'
"Oh,' said he, you will have to go
after it!'
"What is it called"
"Fun," said the teacher quickly, land
the place to find it is out Of doors. 1t
grows everywhere on my farm. I'd
rather have pair Of skates than all
the medicine this side Of China"
She set down her teacup and looked
up at him. She was beginning to think
him fairly safe and well behaved
man, although she would have been
more comfortable If he had been shut
in a cage.
"If I had n pair o. skates" said she
family, with look of inquiry at her
sister, II dunno but I'd try EN-"
Miss Letitia began to laugh silently.
I'D begin with overshoes," said the
teacher. "a pair of overshoes and q
walk on the crust every morning be-
fore breakfast; increase the dose grad
ually."
The two old maids were now more
at ease with their guest. His kindly
manner and plentiful good spirits had
begun to warm and cheer them. Miss
S'mantha even cherished secret re-
solve to slide If the chance came.
After tea Sidney Trove, against their
protest began to help with the dishes.
Miss SAMANTHA prudently managed to
keep the stove between him and her.
A fire and candles were burning In the
parlor. He asked permission, however,
to stay where he could talk with them
Tunk Hosely, the man of all work.
came In for his supper. He was an odd
asharacter. Some, with finger on their
foreheads, confided the opinion that he
was "a little off" All agreed he was
no fool, In a tone that left 1t open to
argument. He had q small figure and
q big squint. His perpetual squint and
bristly, short beard were great injus-
tice to him. They gave him look Sc