The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-27
WILL YOU-WON'T YOU?"

WILL YOU-WON'T YOU?"
1t Friday afternoon. Anita went back to
the little country schoolhouse after her exercise
book, and overheard them plotting When she
came out it to take way home that was en-
tirely different from the by which she had re-
turned.
"She's going to tell on u.s."
That's sol I'll fix her!" and Gabe Saunders,
the bully of the school, went after the little girl.
"Hello, thereP' he called. Anita turned "Where
you going?"
"Home."
That isn't the way"
"Im going by the mill road"
cts farther
81 don't mind that
''Well, tell you to go home by the pike"
what if I say won't do it?"
'Then we'll lock you in the schoolhouse, and
you sha'nt get home tonight"
Anita looked at him and saw the evil in his face.
She remembered certain stories of his hateful
deeds. "All right" she said. CPL go home by
the pike; but don't see what difference it makes
to you"
you'd better go that way' Then, as the little
girl turned into another road, he went back to
his comrades.
Anita walked till beyond their sight She was
thinking the matter and over in her mind,
wondering what she would better do. "I must
warn herr she said "Poor Mrs. Daveridgep
But a wide stretch of woodland lay between
her and the widows little home. Anita's heart
beat fast she turned into this woodland Would
she be able to find her way? She had crossed it
but once before with party of chest-nutters. But
this afternoon was cloudy and the shadows
deep before her At different points she came
upon the path Across it lay fallen trees, broken
branches and a swift little brook Every noise
sent SILVER through her, and the voice of
scrcech owl in high tree set her to running.
At last just as her heart was beating its fastest
the shadows grew less dense, there came an open
ing in the trees, and the small garden-spot of Mrs
Daveridge appeared Anita climbed over the
fence if wild Indian after her, flew
across the melon vines and around the strawberry
bed, and in at the kitchen door.
''Why, child alive! Where did you drop from?
You're pale as a ghost"
'I came to tell you that Gabe Saunders is go
ing to steal your honey tonight They'll be here
at midnight And they'll bring quilts to wrap
round the hives, SOS not to get stung. And I
knew how you'd 1otted on that honey to take you
through the year. And I knew I must let you
knowp Then Anita burst into tears
"You blessed lamb There there, don't cry!
And t. think that I going to take the honey
out Of the hives tomorrow Lem Sawyer was
going to carry it to town for me- where the new
hotel man will pay big price for it. Gabe Satin
ders! Well he's a bad TN! Always into some
mischief But he'll be headed off this time
thanks to you deariel Here, let me give you
glass Of milk and nice slice of bread and butter
with white clover honey on it. There, therel But
why did you come through the woods, child?"
"They wouldn't let go round by the mill
Gabe must have guessed 7 would tell you. He
made go by the pike; but when 7 was out Of
his sight cut across. And, Oh how lonesome it
wasp
Mrs Daveridge caught the child in her arms.
"You brave little thing Harkl There's wagonl
Mavbe It's Lem and his wife THEY'LL let you
rid" home with them. you poor dear!
Mrs. Daverdge ran out, while Anita was busy
with the bread and butter and nice white clover