The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-15
Our Daily Short Story

ly" Miss Gatty said. actually stamp ing her foot. Keep your money-keep the poor chickens. too-maybe they will pay some part of your domases
 Thank you. But I'm not in the poultry line-neither restaurants" the man said, flinging the dead hens at her feet, A fleck of blood flew upon Miss Gatty's' faded frock. Noting 1t. the man said awkwardly: Please excuse me! I've been acting the brute. But those berries were my pride
 You had a right to-do as you did" Miss Gatty panted. "Only-please So away! Go quick"
 She spoke stopping over the hens. The man looked at her-close enough to see two tears plash down on the corpses. He ran incontinently from the sight. but not altogether cravenly. Inside five minutes he was back. with a basket of fine. dewy. scarlet berries. Miss Gatty had vanished. So had the'slain He walked around to the back door, searching for her without finding. Being a determined person he stepped boldly insideA Miss Gatty sat in the prim dining room, her head buried Tn her arms beside the old mahogany table She was sobbing-hard dry sobs. The intruder half turned as though to run away again. but thought better Of It, stepped forward and sat down the basket in front of her, with resound- ing thump. As she sprang up startled he said in an embarrassed voice. Maybe you don't know who am-my names Lalor-"
 But I did know 1t. You should not be here." Miss Gatty panted. your
 Thank you-but I haven't got wife-not yet" MT Lalor-said with grin You must be thinking Of my sister-in-law. Fanny keeps house for me. but she hates the place and wants to leave. l think I'll let her-and see if I can't have peace-and neighbors. bors? I do. So I've brought these pointing to the berries. Wont you give me some radishes to take home for my luncheon"
 ITO be sure! I'll be so glad Miss Gatty cried. springing up. quite for getful of tears stains and darting toward her dear garden. She meant to go alone, but MT. Andrew Labor was right behind her. Long before the radishes were chosen they had buried all grievances past, present and to come. Before he left she had told him all about Susanna-Susanna, wha was the youngest, but had so much wiser head on her shoulders. All uncon sciously she had told him many other things-things that set him meditattng and smiling all the way home. Once or twice, too, he blushed and gnawed angrily at his mustache muttering: Lord, to think that I offered her money! Took her for quarrelsome old maid! It's going to take time to live that down-but I'll do 1t as sure as I'm six foot two!'
 Susanna stayed on. for whole week quarterly meeting had turned out to be the beginning of a revival, but MISS Gatty did not mind in the least.
 you must not worry thinking I am lonely." she wrote: T am quite too busy. keeping the hens as they should he kent. And really. I am finding out that we have very good neighbors."
 Susanna puzzled over that last sen tence. at least until she came home to find Mir. Labor established in the privilege of keeping ward over the for agings of the white leghons. Her eyes twinkled comprehension as he shook hands on presentation. He caught the twinkle and answered it boldly with: "Please, may I have your sister Helen T knew 1t would do no good to ask before you came home.
 "Why-yes, I think you may, su- sanna said the twinkle deepening. "But do you think it Is quite fair-thls way of playing beggar my neighbor?
 You're really responsible-your hens have taught me to take what l want regardless of bounds" he fulng back at her Susanna laughed outright. and answered honestly: If they reaily oio 1t. I'm mighty glad"