The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-02-22

49, 80 go 1870 -
down the hillside rushed her pets.
"One, two, three, four. I'VE" count.
ed the mistress. six, seven, eight
owe and over, with limitless patience.
she counted the moving mass. The re-
suit was dlspleasing.
They're not all here" she an
nounced. 7 can tell l knowed in
a 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 I want to
know, where are they?"
Lyonette shrugged her shoulders
impereeptibly. "On their nests, like
~" she answered; Il can't say when I
noticed them last"
Cant you!" the dame shrieked In
a sudden accession Of wrath. ooh,
can't you! SO it goes-all rob and
abuse me. You'd all murder me If
you dared, See how my best fowls
are picked u and sold! Yes, sold,
Lyonettel l amt afeared to say what
b'lieye to be gospel"
Lyonette paled. do you mean,
aunt" she began slowly.
Patsy snatched the words from her
lips. Il mean We be a set O. thieves
and liars-the Watkins tribe! I mean
I'm set on and picked over by vel
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 We bel"
There was a dazed look on Lyon
cites face. She walked half way to
the gate, then came back, her eyes
blazing.
Il haven't sold your chickens. Mrs.
Watkins" she said. I'm going home.
VIII you come see l do not pack up
anything belonging to you, with my
things%
You'll bear w%atching!" Patsy spoke
with nervous venom. She had gone
farther than she ~intended-but what
could stop her career? Go home!"
She shook her fist close to the girls
face. Gu homei Tell your hypo-
critic father l thank him for nothin'.
| don't van ye, nor any O. the name.
AS I've lived, so kin I 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 eurls.
I've come to believe she's never been
jes' right since her little baby died.
a score O. years ago. 1t was the only
me she ever had, and she worshiped
it. She always had a thought Jabe's
people wanted the baby from her-I
don't know why. She hated Babes
mother; when the little one drapped
off she wouldn't have her at the
buryin'. She couldn't let a soul touch
it, putting it in the coffin, and turnin
the screws herself. She's crazy, Lynn
that's what she is. We hadn't ought
: er let you gone; If anybody could {
succeeded, seems like 'twould a beer
, you, darlin'."
, "Half-crazy, and unhappy" the sof
: little voice mourned. did l do right
daddy, to come home? You know
didn't steal her hens!"
Like as not We went out and picke(
a few diamonds" he retorted. Eyes
I'm glad We come. Let the old lad!
l jaw the owls awhile. I'll send hel
some flour 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 tht
hard work her knotted fingers hat
done well, of the little dead baby thu
fierce mother had loved ~iercely. How
all light had faded, leaving her il
shadow. And then she thought o
her as she stood in the cottage door
so eager. so surprised-so sad. "On,
Is almost done seem at 80" she seem
E ed to hear her say.
= Dreamily her glance wandered +
J the blue, blue sky of June. She wa
! taking mental account Of the hundreI
!, Joys which come to her without vol
: untary effort How good was tn
: great Giver-unthanked, misrepre
sented, denied, but always giving!
: She started with a cry as a shadoy
fell at her feet, and a pleasant voic
said: Good morning! Is there any
one needing spectacles, miss? | al
g a specialist, will test eyes free Of
T 'Yes!" she said hurriedly, a sob 1
< her voice, almost laying hold of tn
e mans sleeve in her eagerness, III
so glad you came back! DO you re
d member the old lady below there, VIII
wanted your glasses SO badly and ha
no money!"
|, YES" quickly. eyes, l do. Well?
eIll buy the ~hve-dollar pair for he
u Write me a receipt, then go at once
It viii you be sure to give her tina
pgir2?@
Il will be very sure" He drew on
his notebook. Your name, please,
y She gave the money, counted an
e gave 1t to him. There, go right ava
d --time Is precious. She is almos
done seeing-don't You remember
In the gloaming a dropping igur
hobbled up the walk, stopping in fror
y Of Lyonette, who was watering he