The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-10-14
PLACING
THE BLAME

The logs blazed and cracked with
all the luxurious disregard of expense
which logs in the fireplace of a wealthy
country club should have. Outdoors a
mist turned the prospect gray. Be.
fore the fire Redlands sat with a pile
Of new magazines. He had decided
that the links were too wet to negoti.
ate.
Presently in floated Mrs. Kreeble.
1t was not at all the sort Of day for a
woman to be at a golf club and Red.
lands frowned. He observed also
that Mrs. Kreeble looked more ami.
mated than usual. This caused him
some alarm. Redlands loves quiet and
comfort and he was very comfortable
lust then.
"Oh," said Mrs. Kreeble as she
charged down the room at him. I'm
so glad you are here! was just
hoping to find some one! Come and
help me to pick violets!"
"Violets!" echoed Redlands, in great
scorn, attempting to hide his fear that
she would indeed make him do 1t. I'm
his rain? You'll catch an awful cold!"
II have on thick Shoes" said his
:ormentor. sweetly. "And, look-my
husbands raincoat!!"
you know" further objected Red
iands, desperately, Il am subject to
tonsilitis. I had a terrible attack Of
It once"
You are the picture of health" said
Mrs. kreeble. "Of course, If you don't
care to"
I'm dying to co." said Redlands.
hastily, getting to his feet with a last
'ook at the cracking fire.
He got an umbrella and they started.
half a mile from the clubhouse a black
cloud of wind and rain swooped down
IN them. When the darkness lifted,
Mrs. Kreeble's umbrella was wrong
vide out and her hair was coming
Town.
Lets 60 back" she moaned.
Redlands took a mean advantage,
'Never!" he said, firmly. 1.-THE only
:edeemfng feature of a foolish under.
:aking is really accomplishing what
Vou have set out to do. We came to
,fck violets, and violets l intend to
,ick!"
"Then," said Mrs. Kreebles, as she
Jaw a summer house looming up
through the driving rain, you go pick
hem while I do up my hair! Over in
hose woods the grass is so long and
vet. and I shouldn't dare go there,
lnyhow!"
Redlands went. Being about as wet
o his knees as 1t was possible for hui
nan being to be, he did not much
sare. When he got to the woods he
ound nothing but mud. He returned
o Mrs. Kreeble and reported: There
ire no violets."
WELL" said Mr.. Kreeble, jauntily.
Ter hair now being pinned up. 1T does
lot SO much matter. See that per-
iectly lovely apple tree over there in
nll bloom! I'd love to have some of
he blossoms! Can't you manage
%"
The upshot of it was that Redlauds
;limbed the small apple tree. All that
,ortion of Redlands which the umbrel.
a had kept tolerably dry now re-
'eived a shower bath from tue trem.
'ling branches. Also Mrs. Kreeble
rom below vociferously objected to
his shaking of all the blossoms. She
wondered irritably why he had neglect.
I'd to bring his knife. Finally she he.
'eived with an injured air the
branches he threw down to her. That
t was a %thornapple tree and Red.
ands had met most of the collection
IN his way up and down did not inter.
.st her at all.
1t occurred to Mrs. Kreeble then
hat marshy places were the best for
%1iolets, SO they hunted for a marsh.
Everything in the pouring rain looked
Ike a marsh, but the coveted violets
lid not appear. Finally, on the steep
ranks of a little creek. some blue
Blossoms showed. BY lying down on
he green and reaching far out. Red.
ands managed to collect quite a hand.
ul.
"Oh, thank you!" cried Mrs. Kreeble
Is she took them all. "Of course.
!hese are not many, but they'll do!
Now, let's go back!"
eyes," said the dripping, shivering,
l%isgruntled Redlands. "by all means.
cts go back!"
AS they stepped on to the clubhouse
1orch. wet, b%edraggled. pools of water
lowing from their garments, Kreeble
iimself appeared. He surveyed them
,ternly.
Even If a woman hasn't a scrap ar
'ense," he remarked icily, zone would
naturally think a man might have 8
title. II you both don't have pneumo.
1ia-"
II believe l am rather DAMP" ad.
nitted Mrs. Kreeble. "We'd better %
md have tea. John, take US to tea
40, this little outing will not have its
finishing touch If Mr.. Redlands doesn't
ret stuck for the tea also! Take us to
lea, Mr.. Redlands!"