The Huttig news., 1909-04-24
AN ADEQUATE co NDIM E NIT
By F. HARRIS DEANS.

 about?' demanded a voice.
 l looked up quickly, and there at the open window saw Miss Archibb. Am l looking solemn?'
 Like an owl What have you come for?"
 Nothing like making your visitors feel at home! l believe came over to see you
 "Ohi" she appeared a trifie discom- posed at the directness of the reply. And now you have seen me?" 'l shall look at you" This I pro ceeded to do
 Miss Archibb seated herself on the window -sill-she has an admirable fig ure-and looked down at me. Tt would Ee ripping on the water" I remarked.
 Would 1t? And yet you're here" T came to tell you"
 How self-sacrifioing of you. "H'm," l said Will you come?" Can't"
 Do you mean won't? Why not ?Y She gave backward jerk of her head.
 They're all in there"
 What of that ?"
 "Oh, all right" She got down with a smile. We shall be a pleasant party
 "Party," said I.
 "Yes. Both aunts. pncle and the mater They'll all come with the dear child"
 Tn that case said, hastily, q prefer you at a distance girl by herself is worth a dozen together. But why go through the next room?' I suggested, with sudden in- spiration
 How =. Get out of the win dow?"
 I nodded. It was some ten feet from the ground
 'i should break my neck" Nonsense
 Its easy to say that--it's not your neck. Besides, suppose somebody saw me-"
 T refused to be put off with such supposition.
 You're afraid
 MT Harding.'
 You're afraid"
 Without another word, she clam bered up on the sill. ."Shall I jump?"
 "Merciful heavens, no,s The possi- bility of receiving pretty girl into ones arms would draw such an ejaeu. lation from anybody.
 Then hew?"
 A moments reflection gave me the opportunity of noticing tub of ever l greens nearby At the expense of some exertion I dragged the thing un der the window. Standing on 1t wa. some three feet nearer.
 "Kneel on the sill. and come down backwards, I instructed Don't kick me in the face. All right, I've got you T With a stified shriek she let go her hold of the window sill and clunG round my neck
 Don't strangle me You see, it was quite easy"
 Yes she said. '. Put me down now, please. MT. Harding. . Mir
  I was. as said, somewhat insecure ly balanced on the edge of the tub An incautious step backward, and Miss Archibb, the evergreens and myself found ourselves on the ground. By a complicated movement of which l was too confused to notice the de tails, Miss Archibb swished herself into a sitting position and looked at me and laughed The edge of the tub was very hard, but nevertheless I joined in.
 You see!" l said. responsibility You might have known l should have put you down if il had been safe.' T felt safer down, she remarked, rising to her feet
 That evergreen looks pretty sick" l said, surveying it ruefully.
 Well, you'd look sick. too, if you'd been sat on"
 T don't feel sick" treasured her; ''of course don't know how I look" Did I really?" She laughed and blushed. Well, suppose l did You deserved it. anyhow
 And occasionally one gets ones de- serts.'
 We brushed the dust off each other, and set off for the river.
 By the way" i said. what's all this gathering of the clans? Been getting into a scrape?" "Scrape!" she cried indignantly, 'I should think not. I've been a very good girl"
 "You."
 You're very rude. You Leednt look so surprised, anyhow" How did you manage it?'
 "To be good girl? We'll. l did what 1 was told, and smiled when I was spoken to, and said Please, and Thank you.
 And Yes and No. like a good lit tie dolly
 q haven't said Yes and No yet. she corrected. That's what the fam fly conclave is about" I whistled-not loudly. So that's the idea Who are they?"