The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-05-13

to have the chill OF her life when she
found that the front door was shut
hard and fast against her--held tight
with its spring lock, and her latch.key
on the mantel, just as Dick had told
her She comprehended the situation
in breath. was frightened, almost col
lapsed II availed her nothing to Kick
and push and sputter out her passion.
the wood and the night kept grim and
silent She tried the other doors, but
Mr. Twindle had treated them with an
exaspcrating surencss.
Everything having failed her, she
felt forlorn enough for hearty spell
of crying. There were neighbors, II
was true, but she was stranger and
proud and wouldn't go to them and
make herself ridiculous with her story.
No She would try 10 keep warm I'M
III Dick came, which oughtn't to be
long SO she trotted to and fro in the
lee of the house tnnialiZed by what
she saw through the windows, and re-
calling. in comical contrast, the poor
Peri who had stood dscOnsUatc' at
the gate OF Eden, and wondered how
that angel would get along with the
Twindle job on this arctic night. This
thinking OF Paradise and its perfumes,
especially the latter, reminded her OF
the smell OF the heated varnish on the
registers OF the airing she had given
the house that afternoon. and how,
afterwards all the windows but one
had been closed and locked. the eXccr-
ton being left up fingers width for
ventilation She gave a little cry Of
JOY over this chance of escape from
the weather and from discovery By
Dick. That window was on the other
side Of the house, perhaps twenty
feet back from the sidewalk, Her
spirits took tumble when che found
the sill was five feet from the GROUND.
measuring It by her own height Of
five feet two. A stepping block was
necessary 1t was found. in he shane
of an empty nail keg. on top OF pile
Of carpenters rubbish In the bacE
yard. Hardly had she mounted when
its head fell in. One leg was trapped.
With stoical endurance she CNtricatc"d
il. smartinE with nail.poiut etchings.
Most men wonld have sworn in some
language; IL she could, she didn't, but.
instead, used her good leg Ike a goi
stick to spin the keg away with
mighty kick. What next was ia he
done? for there was no srnrc time
Nothing. unless a shivcry old wheel
barrow the plastercrs had been too
proud to take away and mean enough
to leave could be used. II was. from
the start, an obstinate dercliCt. wildly
| careening, and viciously trying to
travel on It's sides. It's broken wheel
giving II pig.like contrnricty.
Warmed by this opposition. Mrs. Twin.
die pugnaciOusly flung aside her shaw,
and after many pun and grunt fought
the barrow to where she wanted +
The couple OF tip-outs that followed did
not discourage her. Once balanced.
she found the window both unlocked
Inwcightcd. She raised the sash until
It stuck in the runway high enough
for her to crawl under. after which.
getting a good grip on the inside ca.
| sing she sprang upward towards tnr
opening; ut the same instant the bar
row. as peryerse as ever. Hoped over.
Her shoulders struck against and
loosened the sash. which dropped into
the small Of her back. holding her ms
II in wise, half in half out. OF the
house--a tropical heat around her
head, an arctic breeze flirting her
draperies and numbinc her walking.
sticks. There the little woman stuck.
struggling n good deal and crying just
n little-being fearful, all the time.
that some individual other than Dick
might discover her prcdicament, pos.
sibiity that made her frantic.
And why doesn't Dick Gomez" she
continually asked herself why
should he be an hour on Commute
errand? | cant keep up this kicking
much longer" she thought, when the
minutes seemed TO have grown into
hours, but II | stop III freeze; and
II freeze, he'll have to thaw me out
In water. as II were = frozen fish.
uhu 'iiAA ~ I'ph bt hitN ioi bDuNs
Then she fought the harder and Just
as vainly. not so much to get into the
house as to keep her consciousness.
STILL Dick did not come. nor any one
else, and so, at last, exhausted and
despairing. she tainted.
When, not more than n minute later,
Mrs. Twindle knew herself again II
was to feel strong arms Juggling at her
outdoor extremities and a certainty
In her mind that either the window
frame must go. or that she. not being
OF india rubber. would part In the
middle. She heard and knew with Joy
the voice of the toiler at her feet.
"Dick!" she called, family. I'm
awfully glad it's you and not some.
body else. But. dear, please work from
inside the house! It'll be easier and
I'll live longer"
Barring the leg decorations,
tired feeling" In her back, a hollow in
her stomach, and head that ached
clear down to her shoulder blades
mere trifles." she persistently In.