Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1910-03-23

aA8rzaaa.us,-- ~
Some things were mine, however,
and l would hold them: The halcyon
breakfast, the queer hat, the pebble in
her small shoe, the gold bag with the
broken chain-the bag! Why, it was
in my pocket at that moment.
l got up painfully and found my
coat. Yes, there was the purse, bull
ging with an opulent suggestion of
wealth inside. l went back to bed
again, somewhat dizzy, between effort
and the touch of the trinket, so lately
hers l held it up by its broken chain
and gloated over it. By careful atten-
tion to orders, l ought to be out in a
day or so. Them could return it to
her. / really ought to do that; it was
valuable, and wouldn't care to trust
Richmond, and see her once-there
was no disloyalty to Rich in that.
| had no intention of opening the
little bag. put it under my pillow
which was my reason for refusing to
have the linen slips changed, to Mrs.
Klopton's dismay. And sometimes dur
ing the morning, while lay under a
virgin field of white, ornamented with
strange flowers, my cigarettes hidden
beyond discovery, and Science and
Health on a table by my elbow, as if
by the merest accident, l slip my hand
under my pillow and touch it rev.
erently.
Mcknight came in about II. heard
his car at the curb, followed almost
Immediately by his slam at the front
door, and his usual clamor on the
stairs. He had a bottle under his
arm, rightly surmising that had been
forbidden stimulant, and a large box
of cigarettes in his pocket, suspecting
my deprivation.
WELL" he said cheerfully. "How
did you sleep after keeping me up half
the night?"
slipped my hand around; the purse
was well covered.
Have it now, or wait till get the
cork out?" he ratified on.
II don't want anything" protested.
"I wish you wouldn't be so darned
cheerful, Richey." He stopped whit
Ting to stare at me.
81 am saddest when I sing!'" he
quoted unctuously. tits pure reac-
ton, Lollie. Yesterday the sky was
low; l Was digging for my best friend.
To-day-he lies before me, his peevish
self. Yesterday 1 thought the notes
were burned; to-day look forward
to good cross-country chase, and
with luck we will draw" His voice
changed suddenly "Yesterday-she
was in Seal Harbor. To-day-she is
here"
Here in Washington? 1 asked, as
naturally as 1 could
eyes. Going to stay week or two"
ooh, had a little hen and she had a
wooden leg
And nearly every morning she used
to lay an egg"
""Will you stop that racket, Rich!
It's the real thing this time, 1 sup
poser"
shes the best little chicken that
we have on the farm
And another little drink won't do us
ally
he finished, twisting out the cork
screw. Then he came over and sat
down on the bed.
Well" he said judicially, 'since
you drag it from me, 1 think perhaps
it is. You-you're such a confirmed
woman-hater that 1 hardly knew how
you would take it."
Nothing of the Sort" denied testi-
ly Because a man reaches the age
of 80 without making maudlin love to
every"
I've taken to long country rides"
he went on refiectively, without listen
ing to me, land yesterday I ran over
a sheep; nearly went into the ditch.
But there's Providence that watches
over fools and lovers, and just now l
know darned we'll that I'm one, and
have a sneaking idea I'm both"
''You are both," said with disgust.
eff you can be rational for one mo-
ment, 1 wish you would tell me why
that man Sullivan called me over the
telephone yesterday morning"