The Ordway new era., 1911-03-10

shake up the stove and unlock the
back door. until | put out the lamp
at night But night or day want to
hear anything you might have to say"
Il know you do. Miss Selma Lue
and ! wanted to come, but"
Looks like they's special sort
Of string tied 'twixt you and me. and
my hungering for you must have
drawed YOU this morning. | was jest
a-tclling Mr.. Alan-why where did he
go all Of a sudden? And Bennie and
Ethel Maud and Luella after him. I'll
be bound. II Blossom and Jim here
could walk they would be hanging on
him somewheres." Miss Selma Lue
was intent on a shifting OF young
Inns swaddling bands and failed to
catch the expression on the fair face
bent over Blossoms yellow head.
which was anything but acquiescent.
is Blossom then SO tickle a person
that she only stays with me because
she hasn't the locomotive powers to
run away? Why. Miss Selma Lue.
think Of the affection lavished
on her"
Law. child. was just a.runnins
on: but | guess Blossom Is like the
rest OF women folks. a-follering the
smiling eye Of man as far and as
long as he'll let her. What ails Ethel
Maud now"
From around the barn appeared the
three deserters. Bennie and Luella in
the lead with Ethel Maud trailing
sobbing behind ''Taint nothing the
matter with her" announced Bennie
with scorn. She's Jest bawling cause
Mr.. Alan couldn't take us up the river
with him. He says he ain't coming
home till night. Miss Seliny Lue. and
don't want no dinner or nothing"
81 believe he's mad cause we didn't
name the puppy for boo-hoo-"
walled Ethel Maud. whose intuitions
we're most truly feminine.
He amt tall! Didn't you tell him
that Miss Cynthie was a-going to
name the one we're going to give her
fer him? 1t was Jest because you
hung on his leg and cried SO: l heard
him say something about 'bothering
girls So shut UP and let's take tho
puppy down and see II Mr.. Leeks
thinks it's time to cut his tail OF
yet"
"Oh-ho-ho. Miss Seliny Lue. don't
let him cut on his tail. please! What
would the poor little dead tail do
without the puppy! oh-oh-oh--"
Now. Ethel Maud. don't cry. honey.
Bennie shan't cut OF the puppy's tail
until the time comes. and then you'll
have to stand It like we all stand at
Hictions what has to come. Don't
you want to carry Jim across the
street to his mother' VIII you be
right careful with him?' Ethel Maud.
instantly pacihed. reached out and
clutched the bundle offered her with
an inarticulate. care5sing murmur:
Miss Cynthia Easped with remon.
STRANGE.
Don't worry. child: Ethel Maud
nurses every baby on the Blum regu.
lar, and I seen Mis- Peters let her tote
Jim down to Spout Spring only yester.
day. We BLUM folks has to trust the
babies to the good Lord a heap OF
the time. though ! must say some Of
the mothers seem to leave EN- on
His hands more'n is fair"
The children trooped down the
street. and with little sigh OF ab.
solute contentment the blossom
dropped her head on Miss Cynthia's
arm and closed her long. frinEed lids
over her wondering baby eyes.
Miss Selma Iue tenderly regarded
the picture the girl and the rosy baby
made In the open doorway. and said
as she moved n step nearer. Honey.
what's been a.botherinE you! Would
It help to tell me? 10 your ma
worser"
.TO RE CONTINUED