The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1909-05-28

MISS rage, ne SAID, you DO not
understand. l must insist that you
hear our reasons for this proceeding"
1T is not necessary" she says, cold
as Ice. II have heard enough"
The minister plucked up spunk to
speak. But she snapped him up short
as pie crust. Then | tried it-and got
my medicine. -
mir. Sparrow" says she, let them
do their worst. The children shall
come to my school. AS for you, |
mean to" Then she turns to me.
Does Mr.. Van Brunt know of this? ?"
she asks. Course couldn't say nothing
but / believed he didn't.
Thank g~oodness!" she says. And
Just then who should walk In but Van
himself.
"Hello!" says he, surprised. "Eu-
reka told me you were at the village.
Martin. SO LycurguA rnwed me across
One Of the children said you were
here. What is this, a surprise party?
And Agnes, too! Am l too late for the
refreshments?"
He smiled, but nobody else did.
Edward" says the Page girl, will
you do a great favor for me-"
Yours to command, of course" he
answers, puzzled.
will you find a boarding place for
Mr.. Sparrow"
who? Eureka's father? Why,
certainly. What's the trouble? Is It
time for the Sparrows to nest again?
He can come over to the Island with
US. There's plenty of room. Hey,
Martini"
Never mind your friend, please"
says Miss Page. IF he comes will
you protect him and treat him kindly?
Thank you. Then that is settled. Gen
tlemen, l believe there is no necessity
for your further inconveniencing your.
selves. Your several bills will be
paid"
1 looked at the doctor and he looked
at Poundberry. The minister and
Brown and Scudder looked at each
other. Maybe it seems queer that WI
didn't speak up and make her hear
our side-the right side. 1t does
seem strange now, I'm free to say, but,
as for me, l couldn't have faced her
then no more than the boy with the
jam round his mouth could face
his ma.
Hartley was the only plucky n
He says, swallowing once, as il he
was gulping down his pride, Miss
Page" a y he, you are treating me
most unfair. To Judge without a hear
ing is not"
She held up her hand. There was d
kid glove on it, and even then l
noticed how well that glove fitted.
"Mr. Pratt" she says to me, Il want
to ask you one question. Who is re-
sponsible for this? Whose idea
was it,"
| hemmed and hawed. The other
fellers might not have mean to do it,
but somehow their eyes all swung
round to Hartley.
much. There is a proverb, | believe,
concerning what is bred in the bone.
Thank heaven, to me there are some
things in this world which outweigh
my personal convenience and-money.
You needn't answer, Mr.. Pratt. He
pays your salary, I believe"
My, but she said it bitter and scorn-
full. Hartley was white afore, but now
he was like chalk. He bowed to her,
stuck his chin into the air and
marched out of that house as proud
and chilly as a walking icicle. The
rest of us, all but Van and Agnes,
trailed along astern, like a parcel of
kicked dogs.
Washy sung out to us as we went:
Good day, gentlemen" he says; Il
hope you'll come and see me some
times while I'm over to Horsefoot.
forgive you free and clear. l haven't
no doubt you meant for the best"
The doctor and the rest was brave
enough when we was out of Agnes
Pages sight and hearing. They was
talking big about what they'd do to
Sparrow when they had a chance. But
| noticed none Of 'em said much to
Hartley. He marched ahead. stiff and
white and glum. Peter Browns last
word to me was this:
rTdtt, says ne, IL you See d uOie
in the sand anywheres tween here
and the beach, mark my name around
it, will you? The way l feel TO- I'd
like to crawl into it and pull it after
me, One about the size OF a ten-cen,
piece would do, and even then | guess
there'd be room and to spare for the
rest of this gang"
When l got down to the slHitf Van
comes running to catch up. He caugh,
me by the arm and hauled me to one
side.
Skipper" says he, what the devil's
the matter?"
/ told him In as few words as
could. He roared. That's all right
he says. 'Ill Ak that"
He went over to his chum ant
slapped him ON the back.
"Brace up, old man." he says; ats
a mistake, and a mighty good joke or
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