Mexico Missouri message., 1910-09-29
In a Summer House
BY MABEL CLAIRE SMITH
Copyright, 1910. BY Associated Literary Press

I've Just got to get a glimpse OF
that girl this very day, fair or not
fair" she murmured, defantly. 'If
I can get to Woodlawn before they
do, I'll hide in the old summer-house
and peek all please without anybody
being the wiser"
She took a short cut through a field
and another through an orchard.
"Gracious!" she painted, some min
utes later, as, tired and flushed from
her unwonted speed, she neared the
unoccupied frame house set among
stately old shade trees. TITS a
spooky, lonely place! I'll wager this
lawn hasn't been moved since the
owner went away, three years ago.
Everything looks seedy and mildewy
to me. It's just the sort OF house
| Burton likes, though" she added, as
she hurried through the high, tangled
grass to a rustic summer-house half
way between the house and the en-
trance gates. HE always did want
to get as near nature as possible"
The summer house was overgrown
with vines and its interior was far
from inviting; but there was rustic
seat just inside the door, and Mrs.
Trevelyn was very tired. With care
fully clutched skirts and fearful eyes
she entered the retreat and seated
herself ON the mossy bench.
The day was unusually warm. for
that time Of year and Mrs. Trevelyn
was not accustomed to 30 much ex-
ercise. Consequently, before she had
been seated In the cool place five
minutes, her eyes closed and she
slumbered peacefully.
Fifteen minutes later she came to
herself with terrified start. Some
thing sinuous and horrible was glid-
ing away from her across the floor
| of the old summer house and there
was a queer numb feeling in the fin
gers of her left hand. With gasp
of terror she raised her hand and
stared at two round pricks on the tip
of her forefnger. With a muf1ed
cry, Mrs. Trevelyn sprang to her feet
and dashed from the summer house
! just as two people came up the walk
from the gates.
ooh, thank goodness for some
body to help mel" gasped Mrs.
Trevelyn, thinking of nothing save
her extremity. do something for
me, won't you, please?" she walled,
appealingly holding out the wounded
finger to the wide-eyed newcomers.
i've been bitten by snake--oh, an
awful thing! l know I'm going to
die-my finger feels so queer! Do
something for me"
"Ye gods and little fishes!" gulped
Burton, helplessly patting her back,
"Grace, poor girl. how'd you do itf
You're sure 1t was a shaker"
Let me see the bite, please" said
quiet, low-toned voice from the
trinity clad young woman at Burton's g
back. She stepped quickly forward
and took Mrs. Trevelyn's shaking fin
gers. "Ah, yes, 1 see the two tiny
punctures quite plainly she OBJ
served, after brief scrutiny Of the
injured finger. Her brows drew to
gether as though something puzzled
her and she looked uncertainty to
ward the summer house. as the
snake still in theref" she asked, ex.
pectantly.
"Oh, 1 suppose sol" shuddered Mrs.
Trevelyn, feeling cold and i'll do
you think it's a deadly bite? VIII
die? Ooh, for goodness sake tell
me how long have to live!"
The girls lips twitched nervously,
but her voice was gravely reassuring
as she made response. MANY years,
/ trust" Sc said, gently. Then,
turning to the equally concerned Bur.
ton, she asked him to enter the sum-
mer house and see II the snake was
still in there.
Burton grabbed stick and went
boldly within the retreat. After q
few moments of brisk rummaging he
returned bearing on the point Of the
rod shimmering length of yellow
ribbon with two pins sticking in one
end ''This is the only snake I can
find!" he declared, with much grav-
ity. From appearances, I should
take 1t to be summer house serpent
OF nonpoisonous kind"
Grace stared at the ribbon while
the blood slowly returned to her
cheeks and fingers. Gracious me!
so It was just my belt!" she twittered
joyfully. well, I might have died
Of fright If somebody hadn't thought
to find the thing. Burton, dear. aren't
you going to Introduce my rescuer? p
And Burton, with twinkling eyes,
cheerfully complied.