Gilpin observer., 1909-08-12

and her eyes were bright in the fire.
light. Puss must have thought the
two made handsome couple, for she
fingered, as she started for the kitch-
en-, to look back.
"Puss," exclaimed her mistress, FRY
a chicken right away! A big one.
Puss! Mr.. McCloud is very hungry,
know. And be quick, do! Oh, how is
the river Mr.. McCloud?"
Behaving like a lamb. 1t hasn't
fallen much, but the pressure seems
to be off the bank. If you know what
that means?"
you must be a magician! Things
changed the minute you camel"
"The last doctor usually gets credit
for the cu~a. YOU know"
"Oh, l .iq1w all about that. Don't
you want to freshen up? Should you
mind coming right to my room? Mari
on Is in hers" explained Dicksie, "and
I am never sure of Cousin Lance's-
he has so many boots"
When she had disposed of McCloud
she flew to the kitchen. Puss was
starting after a chicken. Take a
lantern. Puss!" whispered Dicksie, ve-
hemently.
mo, indeed; dis niger don need
no lantern TO chickens, Miss Dicksie"
But get good one. Puss, and make
haste. do! Mr.. McCloud must be
starved! Where is the baking pow
der? I'll get the biscuits started"
Puss turned fiercely. Now look-a
heak, yo' can't make biscuits. Yo'
| jes' go Sc down wifi dat young
gen'm'n! Jes' lemme lone, eff yo'
| please. Dis amt de frs time l
killed chickens, Miss Dicksie, an
made biscuits. Jes' clair out an Sc
down! Place 'r young ladies' is in de
parlor! or Puss can cook supper
| fr one man yet-ef she has to-"
"Oh, yes. Puss, certainly, know, of
course: only. get nice chicken," and
with the parting admonition Dicksie,
smoothing her hair wildly, fastened
back to the living room.
But the harm was done. Puss, more
excited thar her mistress, lost her
head when she got to the chicken-yard,
and with sufiic emily bad results When
Dicksie ran QUE few moments after
ward for glass of water for Nc
| Cloud, Puss was calmly wiping her
hands. and in the sink lay the CULVER
ing form Of young Caesar Dicksie
caught her favor.te up by the legs and
suppressed cry. There could be no
| mistake. She cast a burning look on
Puss. 1t would co no good to storm
now. Dicksie only wrung her hands
and returned to McCloud.
He rose in the happiest mood. He
could not see wha. a torment Dicksie
was in. and took the water without
asking himself why I trembled in her
hand. Her restrained manner did not
worry him, for he felt that his fight at
the river was won, and the prospect
OF fried chicken composed him. Even
the long hour before Puss, calm and
inviting in white cao and apron, ap-
peared to announce fupper, passed
like a dream. When L'cksie rose to
lead the way to the dinii room, Nc
Cloud walked on air; the high color
about her eyes intoxicated i'm. Not
till half the fried chicken, y many
compliments from McCloud. h.. disap-
peared. and the plate had gone for
the second dozen biscuits did he no o
Dickse's abstraction.
I'm sure you need worry no l--c.i
about the water" he observed, -e"s
suringly. Il think the worst of N
danger is past"
Dicksie looked at the tableclot
with wide-open eyes. 81 feel sure tha
1t is. l am no longer worrying abou
that"
IT'S nothing | can do or leave un.
a s, a.
n little as he implied in his tone that
she must be worrying about some
thing.
Dicksie made a gesture of alarm.
"Oh, no, no; nothing!"
ITS pretty good plan not to
worry about anything"
do you think so?''
why, We all thought so last night.
Heavens!" McCloud drew back in his
chair. Il never offered you n piece of
chicken! What have / been think
ing of"
"Oh, | wouldn't eat It anyway"
cried Dicksie
you wouldn't? It is delicious. Do
have a plate and wing at least"
Really, could not bear to think of
It," she said, pathetically.
He spoke lower. Something is
troubling you. have no right to
confidence, l know" he added. taking
a biscuit.
Her eyes fell to the floor. 1T is
nothing Pray. don't mind me. May
l fill your cup?" she asked, looking
up. 81 am afraid l worry too much
over what has happened and can't be
helped. Do you never do that?"
McCloud. laughing wretchedly, tore
Caesars last leg from his body. mo,
indeed. never worry over what cant
he helped"