The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-04-21

extended a tiny moccasined foot. cor
perhaps send Mary DOWN." she went
on sarcastically well. YOU know.
you hypocrite, IDS Thursday. and ev-
cry self-respectiug maids AFTERNOON
out. What did YOU mean to insinuate
by that little bark? I'd like OF know.
Ask the elevator boy? Oh, yes, and
have him tell everybody in this apart
ment house, and especially Err. Oh,
you miserable little bit of satanic
majesty" She danced about in fury
as sudden thought gripped her.
Its nearly time for Ernest mean
MIR. Woods to be coming home now.
T and what will he think when he sees
all my?"-
A shrill peal OF the bell transfixed
her. What shall 7 do? Ii can't he
mother or Mary-it's too early Oh.
merciful me, LIS somebody bringing
NY. Heaven grant it's a womani"
she prayed as she crept to the door
From that moment of her life Susie
Ferris became imbued with her physi-
cal power, for, as she afterward de-
clared. the eyes of her spirit pene-
trated that closed solid door, afford
ing her perfect vision of tall young
man, rather red in the face, hat awry,
arms piled with boots and slippers.
throat swelled, but the tone was icy.
You are very kind, Mr.. Woods
Please put the-the-them down."
With an air of solemnity he stepped
into the room.
Where shall l deposit the-the-
them? he asked, deferentially enough,
but, though he lowered his head, she
caught fleeing glimpse of the edge
of a smile.
'B-r-r-r-r-r!" the dOorbell rasped
shrilly, insistently.
Uncertainty they glanced at each
other like guilty cOnspirators, and the
young man promptly gathered a grain
| of comfort from the helpless appeal
of those very blue eyes.
by Jove, Susie" he broke out with
/ bOyish impetuousness, I'm sure it's
! a policeman"
Policeman" she voiced the word
and suddenly lost her frozen dignity
She had all the woman's horror of
the clutch of the law. What can he
want? You 60" she begged.
Let's both CO." he suggested; r.
"B-r-r-r-r!" the impatient bell call
ed. and burly policeman forced his
| bulk through the door.
The young man gave an almost the
| atrical start of surprise. Your" he
| breathed
so, my man, you thought you could
hide here" clustered a deep, gutteral
voice, but it's no go. You just come
along with me, or'-With a fierce
scowl, which did not, however OBJ
scure the sly twinkle i'm his eyes, he
raised his baton threateningly
What have l done, Mr.. Policeman p"
| inquired the young man with surpris-
| ing meekness.
q guess you'll find out soon enough
at headquarters" staggered the other
You'll have to tell good and plenty
whose the swag is. and you'll find
out you can't knock an officer down
and take to your heels for nothing"
I'm sure" came the meek apology.
as Ernest placed each shoe with un-
studied tenderness on the center Ia
bic, Il didn't intend TO hurt you. I
Just ran 10 get ahead of you i'm picking
up her-these"-
That don't go so easy" the big
man answered. with what seemed to
Susie unbearable brutality. Don't
be a-puttin' those down; pick 'em up
and come along"
Suddenly the girl realized that she
was the leading lady in the play. With
eyes that flashed. despite the tears
which sprans into them. she faced the
| officer
Those boots are mine. sir. and he
wasn't stealing them"
The policeman broke into a loud
laugh as he caught the young mans
expressive glance.
It's awfully kind Of you. Miss. 10
try and help fellow out OF his scrape.
but II don't so down with an old one
like me. Too bad Won couldn't have
picked greener policeman"
'Fcure a mean man." she cried
while anger dried 9nd FURNISHED her
/ eyes. These are my boots. every one
of them, and I'll prove it,"
Without any ceremony she dropped
the Angura, WHO stalked. back arched
to the doorway and then majestically
disappeared. The girl. with the fine
unconsciousness of the unconvention-
al scene. slipped her little, silk-cover-
ed feet out of the mOccasins and fitted
on one slipper after another. eXclaim-
ing in unrestrained triumph. There
and there, and there, Now are Won
satisfied?' she demanded, suddenly
flashing a look OF whitening scorn u,
the officers direction.
'Er, er, no. stammered the big man
whose attention for the moment SEEM
ed distracted by the second brand
new bill which had found its way into
his hand since his chance meeting that
afternoon with Ernest. THAT is. Miss
of course, | believe they're yours. Not
many ladies in this town could wear
such small ones" He bent his huge
body into what was intended for
gallant bow. But this fellow hasn't
an honest eye. See-he don't look me
stralght IN the face. He'll have to
go to jail"
Don't you touch him, you stupid,"
Indignation almost choked her. but
she continued bravely: Hes no thief
on don't you understand? Those are
my boots, and they fell out of my
window, and he picked them I'D be
cause-because"- She looked ND
into the young mans face for encour-
agement and found something that
thrilled her heart with JOY and EN-
boldened her to finish, because every
thing that is mine belongs to him"