The Huttig news., 1910-12-17
From Lucille s Diary


 Carol is several years older than am we were schoolmates. We have been intimate friends for so long that felt it would be perfectly good form and good fun, too, to surprise her by ap- bearing unannounced al her home.
 When l arrived Carol did not look as pleased as l had expected T was just packing Toms and my suit cases for a short trip east" she said as she welcomed me in a rather perfunctory manner. We had in tended going tomorrow"
 Well, my dear Carol" I replied, you mustn't think of permitting my shall enjoy few days of absolute quiet in this deliciously peaceful home. if you will only let me stay Of course 1 could go back to town at once, but as l have declined several invitations on the score of absence from home. 1t would be awkward to return now"
 You must certainly stay" urged Carol, with increased warmth. I'm so glad you have love for the coun- try. Lucille. People who do not ap- preciate simple pleasures miss great deal"
 Yes. I think so, too" I interposed hastily. for Carol tires me when she gets started on her hobbies of country life.
 T noticed as I drove in that you haven't done much to your garden yet" l went on, to show her that l was observing. Your roses, lilies and other perennials aren't even uncov- cred"
 No. because I can't help feeling that this wonderfully advancing spring is too good to be true, so l have been little slow about taking the cover. ings off my precious plants,' an swered Carol.
 T should think they would suffo cate in this warm weather" 1 told her.
 oh, there's no danger of that, and there is danger from the frost getting them yet if we are in too much of d hurry. shall certainly wait until May. You haven't had as much ex- perience in gardening as I have"
 Carols superior manner was irri. tating, but l did not argue the matter further with her, as I think all use less discussion quite i'll bred. But the second day after she and Tom had gone l found the house so dull that went out into the garden and 1t oe- cured to me that 1 should like to see for myself how those covered plants looked.
 lifted little straw off the peony bed, and when l beheld the tiny red stock bravely pushing upward l felt it would be cruel not to help them into the air and sunshine, so l raked off every bit of the straw and leaves under which they were buried. It seemed a shame not to release the roses, too, so called Thora. the maid. out to help me.
 Mrs. Moline, she say she not want the bushes uncovered yet" Thora ob- jected.
 But Mrs. Nodine didn't know how very fast the leaves are growing. Thora," l explained. She will be glad to find this work done when she comes home"
 Thora went to work at the roses so ungraciously that l should have preferred doing it myself, had 1 not been afraid of tearing my hands on tho thornS The tavti,ro of my hand dc is so delicate that l never dare let them come in contact with anything that is the least bit harsh.
 There, not do any more," said Thora, grossly, as she unwound the last rose stalk.
 Very well,'' I replied, with dignity You may go into the house and re- sume your usual duties"
 "I think go in the house and pack my clothes" she said, rudely. '.I not stay here any longer with you"
 fancied this was merely an idle threat, so l was very much surprised the next morning when. against all my remonstrances, Thora left imme diately after breakfast She did not even Wdau tue ulSUcS, WHICH l IQlnk was very inconsiderate of her. It must have annoyed Carol very much when she found them in that condition. Of course it was impossible for me | to stay alone in the house, so 1 tele | phoned for a carriage to take me tc | the station. l left the key in the care of the nearest neighbor and drove away, really glad to go for the weath CT had taken sudden cold turn In the night and snow was falling.
 A few days after my return home was inexpressibly shocked and hurt | to receive a most inconsiderate let ter from Carol. who actually appeared to believe 1t was my fault that win l ter had so unexpectedly descended upon her garden. She wrote that il was heartbreaking to see her poor 1 frozen lilies, peonies and roses. She did not seem to remember all the trou ble 1 had taken to try to help her ir garden work How could I expect to know that slice of January was to be projected into April? I She also seemed to reproach me fol the loss of her maid. I am sure l did