The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1908-02-29

shrilled her strong. high-keyed voics.
There was an answering clam0r, -
down the hillside rushed her pets.
Zone, two. three. four. Ave." count
ed the mistress. "Six. seven, eight
over and over, with limitless patience,
she counted the moving mass. The 70
suit was displeasing.
They're not all here" she an
nounced. II can tell! l knowed In
. minute. Oh. I'm hard to fool!
Where's the white Rose-comb. and
wheer's my chico red English?
They're not here. What / want to
know. where are they!"
Lyonette shrugged her shoulders
imperceptibly. "On their nests. like
ly." she answered: II can't say when !
noticed them last" -
Cant you!" the damo shrieked In
. sudden accession Of wrath. "Oh.
can't you! So 1t goes-all rob and
abuse me. You'd all murder me II
you dared. See how my best fowls
are picked out and sold! Yes, sold,
Lyonette! amt afeared to say what
bieve to be gospel"
Lyonette paled. DO you mean,
aunt" she began slowly.
Patsy snatched the words from her
lips. Il mean we be set O thieves
and liars-the Watkins tribe! l mean
I'm set on and picked over by ye!
I'll lock my chickens up next time.
and and take the key. Little. Little,
Littles-what use are the call? Ye're
sold for goodies and things, that's
what ye bel"
There was a dazed look on Lyon
cites face. She walked half way to
the gate, then came back, her eyes
blazing.
81 haven't sold your chickens. Mrs.
Watkins" she said. I'm going home.
Will you come see do not pack up
anything belonging to you. With my
things?"
You'll bear watching!" Patsy spoke
with nervous venom. She had gone
1 farther than she intended-but what
could stop her career? Go home!"
She shook her fist close to the girls
face. Go home! Tell your hypo-
critic father thank him for nothin'.
don't want ye. nor any O. the name.
As I've lived, SO kin l die-alone."
That was a week ago. In anger
Lyonette went, but the anger was all
gone now-sweet pity had taken its
place.
She's half crazy, Lynn" her IA
Their said, stroking the liberated curls.
1--WE come to believe she's never been
jes' right since her little baby died
a score o. years ago. 1t was the only
one she ever had. and she worshiped
1t. She always had thought Jabe's
people wanted the baby from her-I
don't know why. She hated Babes
mother; when the little one drapped
OF she wouldn't have her at the
buryin. She couldn't let soul touch
1t, putting 1t in the CONN, and turnin'
the screws herself She's crazy. Lynn,
that's what she is. We hadn't ought
er let you gone: II anybody could .
succeeded, seems like 'twould been
you. darlin'."
"Half-crasy. and unhappy" the soft
little voice mourned. did do right,
daddy, to come home? You know
didn't steal her hens!"
Like as not We went out and picked
few diamonds" he retorted. Eyes.
I'm glad We come. Let the old lady
jaw the owls awhile. I'll send her
some -four next time go to mill"
He had gone to mill now. and she
was alone. thinking pityingly Of Patsy.
OF her strange. dreary life. Of the
hard work her knotted fingers had
done well. Of the little dead baby the
fierce mother had loved nercely. How
all light had faded, leaving her in
shadow. And then she thought Of
her as she stood in the cottage door.
SO eager. 80 surprised-so sad. Zone
is almost done SEEM at So" she SEEM
ed to hear her say.
Dreamily her glance wandered to
the blue, blue sky of June. She was
taking mental account Of the hundred
joys which come to her without vol
untary effort. How good was the
great Giver-unthanked. misrepre-
scented, denied. but always giving!
She started with q cry as shadow
fell at her feet, and a pleasant voice
said: Good morning! Is there any
one needing spectacles, miss? l am
a specialist, will test eyes free Of"
| "Yes!" she said hurriedly, q sob In
her voice, almost laying hold Of the
mans sleeve in her eagerness. "Im
SO glad you came back! Do you re-
member the old lady below there, who
wanted your glasses SO badly and had
no money!"
YES" quickly. Yes, I do. Well?"
"I'll buy the hve-dollar pair for her.
Write me a receipt, then go at once.
Will you be sure to give her that
pair?
Il will be very sure" He drew out
his notebook. Your name. please"
She gave the money, counted and