The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-09-10

and her eyes were bright In the IRE
light Puss must have thought the
two made a 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, l
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 cure, you know"
ooh, | know 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, land
| 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, We
hemently
mo, indeed dis niger don. need
nc. lantern TO chickens, Miss Dicksie.'
"But get a 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
jes' go Sc down wifi dat young
gen'm'n! Jes' femme lone, eff yo
please, Dis amt de frs time
killed chickens, Miss Dicksie, an
made biscuits. Jes' clair out an Sc
down! Place FIR young ladies is in de
parlor! OF Puss can cook supper
FIR one man yet-ef she has to-"
ooh, 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 than her mistress, lost her
head when she got TO the chicken-yard,
and with sufficiently bad results When
Dicksie ran out a few moments after
ward for a 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 favorite up by the legs and
suppressed a cry. There could be no
mistake. She cast a burning look on
Puss. 1t would do no good to storm
now. Dicksie only wrung her hands
and returned to McCloud.
He rose in the happiest mood. He
could not see what a torment Dicksie
was in, and took the water without
asking himself why it 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 a white cap and apron, APP
peared to announce supper, passed
like a dream. When Dicksie rose to
lead the way to the dining room, Nc
Cloud walked on air; the high color
about her eyes intoxicated him. Not
till half the fried chicken, with many
compliments from McCloud, had disap-
peared, and the plate had gone out for
the second dozen biscuits did he notice
Dicksie's abstraction.
I'm sure you need worry no longer
about the water" he observed, reas.
suringly. 81 think the worst of the
danger is past"
Dicksie looked at the tablecloth
with wide-open eyes. 81 feel sure that
it is. | am no longer worrying about
that"
ITS nothing | can do or leave I'M
done, is it?" asked McCloud, laughing
a little as he implied in his tone that
she must be worrying about some
thing.
Dicksie made gesture of alarm.
"Oh, no, no; nothing!"
It's a pretty good plan not to
worry about anything"
do you think sou
why, we all thought so last night.
Heayens," McCloud drew back in his
chair. Il never offered you a piece of
chicken What have | been think
ing off"
"Oh, l wouldn't eat it anyway"
cried Dicksie.
You wouldn't? 1t is delicious. Do
have a plate and a wing at least"
Really, could not bear to think of
it," she said, pathetically.
He spoke lower. Something is
troubling you. l have no right to a
confidence, know" he added, taking
a biscuit.
Her eyes fell to the floor. 1T is
nothing. Pray, don't mind me. May
fill your cup?" she asked. looking
up. Il am afraid | 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. l never worry over what can't