Putnam patriot., 1909-10-15

hlnd the morning giories.
 Miss Susie strained her eyes for q backward wave of Pete Iaring,s hand when he reached the corner of the last hefd hat his head was turned toward the river. whose yellow current was gradually rising 10 the level of the steep banks Once CT twice he glanced back at the low hrowed house lying 50 near the hank and felt some degree of relief in the recollection that his own comfortable dwelling was perched sn a knoll above highest water mark and must necessarily be a place of refuge for his less fortunate neighbors.
 Six months previous Miss Susie had come from her eastern home to live with her widowed brother. but scarce- ly three months had passed before he had suecumhed to an attack of hea II disease and thus had left Mss Susie mistress of the hundred acre farm and the well meaning but sluggish Swan son and his capable wife. Selma Comely, dark eyed Miss Susan had not lacked for advice and vigorous assist anee tn managing the farm. for she found kindly neighbors all about her. and Pete Loring had been her chief adviser in caring for the crops that had been planted by the energetic brother. but Pete had spoiled all things by desiring Miss Susie to change her quarters and become the mistress of the Loring home. and his quiet per siStanNo hoA a4 h- able little woman to the point of an. tagonism
 He might know l couldn't make up my mind all of sudden after being single for forty-fve years" she mur- mured as she watched him ride out of sight She thought of the miles of whispering grain fields that divided her farm from Pete Loring's place. and her face grew somewhat anxious
 In the northern counties rain had fallen abundantly. but in Painted Rock the crops were slowly crisping fin the merciless heat. and now this swelling tributary of the Missouri, fed by the eopious rains at It's source. threatened complete annihi.atien of the harvest
 With little sigh and a sense of guilt Miss Susie responded to Selma's call 10 dinner AS she ate of the toothsome viands and tasted the de licieus berry pie she thought of the hungry little Lorines' dining on mush and milk. They were loyable ehil- dren. helpful. obedient little things, and it was too bad that they were motheriess; there was only the busy. kindly father and the drinking. igno- rant old Indian woman. Mahona. to care for them.
 Take one of these pies and a pail ful of the dinner over to Mir Loring's. Swanson" she said. going around to the kitchen door after dinner. and 1t was with some relief that she watch ed the slouehing figure of the Swede riding down the road. a large basket swinging from one hand
 
 It was long after midnight when Miss Susie aweke to the drip of rain on the roof and the soft rush of wa ter outside her window. There WAS a sickenine motion to her bed. and she was conscious that the furniture in the room was creaking and stirring 
 She called Swanson desperately There was no response. hut she thought she heard faint cry from It came from above.
 ''The rooff' she said dazedly He is up there. Why. the house is afleat'" The floor slaated perllously as she slipped to the edge of the bed and tried to stand upon her feet. Some how she managed to strike a match and light a candle by her side The room was in the utmost disorder. The lighter furniture had gravitated to the outer wall and he heavy pieces rock ed to and fro dizziiy with every motion of the rocking house Ornaments and bits of china strewed the floor, and her clothes were huadled among them.
 She dressed herself hurriediy. cheos ing the warmest wraps she could find. She half walked. half slid to the win dow and held her candle to the pane. 1t was dense blackness outside. but she saw the wavering reflection of her candle flame and knew that the water was ali about the house.
 With chattering teeth she extin, guished her candle and felt her way into the entry and toward the ladder which led to the scurtle in the roof. This scuttle jed to what Franklin had called his observatory" small plat form built on the apex of the roof and which now offered the only refuge to the frightened little woman. She could hear the water swashing about the lower rooms as she clung to the lad der. and as she neared the top gust of cool air and the sweep of rain Tn her face told her that the scuttle was open and that her farm hand and his wife had doubtless sought refuge there.
 As her head appeared above the opening and she emerged into the inky darkness the voice of the Swede came ioyfuiiy. Tank Gott.'
 Why didn't you call me?' she asked grossly. balancing her plump form pre- cariously on the edge of the opening and placing her feet on the top rung of the ladder below. She could make out the dim outline of the figure of the