The Tupelo journal., 1909-09-10

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
l 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, W
hemently.
mo, indeed; dis niger don need
no 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 iercely. Now look-a
heah, yo' can't make biscuits! Yo'
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, l know, of
course; only, get a 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 c~hicken-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
! Cad returned to McCloud.
I. 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
Of fried chicken composed him. Even
the long hour before Puss, calm and
inviting in a white cap and apron, ap-
peared to supper, passed
like a dream. When Dicksie rose to
lead the way to the dining room, Nc
| C1n1Id ua1kn6 IN air. tho hi0h oaIov
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 w%ide-open eyes. 81 feel sure that
it is. l am no longer worrying about
that"
Its nothing l a do or leave un-
done, is it," asked McCloud, laughing
a little as he implied in his tone that
she must be worrying about some
thing.
Dicksie made a gesture of alarm.
ooh, no, no; nothing!"
tits a pretty good plan not to
worry about anything"
do you think so?"
"Why, we all thought so last night.
Heavens!" McCloud drew back in his
chair. 81 never offered you a piece of
| chickent What have l been think
ing of"
ooh, I 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. I have no right to a
confidence, l know" he added, taking
a biscuit
Her eyes fell to the floor. 1T is
nothing. Pray, don't mind me. May
l fill your cup?" she asked, looking
| up. 81 am afraid / worry toe much
over what has happened and can't be
| helped. Do you never do that?"
McCloud, laughing w~retchedly, tore
| Caesars last leg from his body. mo,
indeed. | never worry over what can't
he helped"
They left the dining room. Marion
came down. But they had hardly
seated themselves before the living
room fire when a messenger arrived
with word that McCloud was wanted
at the river. His chagrin at being
dragged away vas so apparent that
Marion and Dicksie sympathized with
him and laughed at him. 81 never
worry about what can't be helped
Dicksie murmured.
He looked at Marion. That's a shot
at me. You don't want to go down
do your" he asked, ironically, looking
from one to the other.
"Why of course, I'll go down." re
sponded Dicksie, promptly. Marion
caught cold last night, / guess, so Vol
will excuse her, / know. I will be back
In an hour, Marion, and you can toas'
your cold while I'm gone"
"But you mustn't go alone!" pro
tested McCloud.
Dicksie lifted her chin the least bit
Il shall be going with you, shall not
And il the messenger has gone bach
I shall have to guide you. You nevel
could find your way alone"
"But | can go" i~nterposed Marion
Il Afefn~