Mexico Missouri message., 1909-05-27
CHAPTER XIV.
The White Plaque.

The fat was all in the FIRE. Hart.
1ey's great scheme that he thought
was going to help Eureka, and that
cal'lated would be one more big boost
for him in the Page girls eyes. had
gone TO pot TO sec the kettle bile. In
stead Of getting rid Of Papa Sparrow.
Il had fetched that old hypocrite
right over to eat and sleep and groan
under our very noses. And. instead
of helping Martins love business. II
had knocked the keel right out of II
and left him stranded with a bigger
reputation than ever for cold.blooded.
mercenary money-grabbing. Sweet
mess, want Il?
| snum. I did hate to tell Eureka!
And yet Of course she was bound to
find II out for herself. when she went
home that night, thinks /: IN catch
Il tomorrow morning" And. sure
enough. next morning she was laying
for me.
She come out TO the garden. where
was trying to fool myself into
hoping that six inches OF green string.
with leaf or two hung along II. might
bear O cucumber some day. and down
she sets In the heap OF dry seaweed
by the pig pen.
Nov, then" says abe, sharp, ~
want to know all about IT,"
obi" says |. looking innocent at
the cucumber string: II amt give up
hope. by no manner of means. II the
loan don't blow on. and I'm able to
lug water enough, wen have as much
as one jar OF twoinch pickles OF this
plantation BY the time the HeavenlIcs
are ready TO quit"
"Humph!" she sniffs. You ought to
pickle that understanding OF yours.
ats too fresh and green TO keep long.
out in this sun. Now you look me In
the eye and tell me all about It,"
About what?" asks. not looking at
her. however.
About the doings at our house yes.
terday. Why is pa coming over here
TO live? And what makes Mr.. Hartley
so blue and cross? And how como that
Agnes Page TO be mixed up in our at
fairs? Out with II. It's my family
business. and want to know"
SO had TO tell her. She was pretty
mad. and mighty sarcastic.
II thought So" she snaps. Didn't
you know no better than that? Didn't
you know that a girl who's as far gone
with charity as Miss Page is would
DC sure to go and see pa and want TO
do for him? I've found ont that she's
been giving him money for medicine
and things for over n week. Why, a
sentimental city woman is pas best
holt: he can tic 'em In bow knots
round his finger. l s'pOse you thought
you could fetch Hartley and his girl
together all by yourself Well. you've
done a good Job. Now I've got TO be.
gin Il all over again"
1T Amt no use now" I says. "Shs's
down on him for good"
Rubbish Don't talk so foolish. TN
be my turn next. and my plans
won't 30 haekslde frontwards. like a
crab. And I've got TO iix pa, too. I've
been working out q notion about him
for two og three days. I guess it's
time to be starting II a-going."
She wouldn't tell me what the no.
tion was. Twas her turn to have
secrets. She seemed pleased to have
Editha and the children go over to the
Fresh Air school. because there they
could be studying their lessons with
somebody 10 look after 'em. She liked
the idea Of Lycurgus hiring out 10
Nate Scudder, too. though she did say
ttat she guessed he wouldn't wear out
D pants pockets carting his wages
olnd.
axt day she stayed at home and
l,' M the house, and that night she
|| )Rashy come 70 the island 20 stay
Ne time. They had rooms ia the
part OF the house. three flights
tnd Scudder sold the Twins bed.
and truck enough 70 more than
No for losing tho rent OF the
ROW house Van put the wax
M nnd Marccllus' picture and the
y Eai~'a presents" np n the