The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-02-07

L n lueu EcluIu6u W tuS SShOoi-
- room, where, with lighted
bracket lamp beside her on the desk,
she labored until o'clock. Then she
put on her coat and hat. extinguished
the light, locked the door and started
on her lonely walk home.
Miss Dawes was not afraid of the
dark. She had been her own escort for
a good many years. She walked brisk
ly on, heard the laughter and loud
voices in the barber shop die away
behind her, passed the schoolhouse
pond, now bleak and chill with the
raw November wind blowing across it,
and began to climb the slope of Whit
takers hill And here the wind, rush
ing in unimpeded over the flooded salt
meadows from the tumbled bay out
side, wound her skirts about her and
made climbing difficult and breath
taking.
She was perhaps halfway up the
long slope when she heard in the in
tervals. between the gusts footsteps
behind her A moment later mans
voice began singing annie Rooney"
a melody then past its prime in the
cities, but popuarized in Bayport by
some departed batch of summer board
ers.
She did not recognize the voice, and
she did not particularly approve Of
singing in the streets. especially such
loud singing. So she decided not to
wait longer and was turning to con-
tinue her climb when the person be-
hind stopped his vocalizing and called.
"Hiw he shouted. Hello. ahead
therev'
The follower broke into run and
was soon by her side. He was stran-
ger to her.
"Whee! Vow he painted. This is
no race track. pard. Pull up and let's
take it easy My off legs got kink
in it, and don't run so easy as used
to. Great snakes, what's your rush?
Amt you fond Of company? Hello! !
believe it's a woman-a woman!" ex-
claimed the man hilariously. well,
say, | didn't believe there was one
loose in this tail end Of nowhere.
Grille, I'm glad to see you-not that |
can see you much. but never mind
All cats are gray In the dark. hey
You can't see me, neither, so well
take each other on trust. She's my
sweetheart, I'm her beau Say, Maud
may 1 see you homer"
She was frightened now. The Whit
taker place on the hilltop was the
nearest house, and that was some
distance off.
whats the matter, Carrier inquir
ed the man. Don't be scared.
wouldn't hurt you. Pm just lonesome
that's all. and l need society. Dom
rush; you'll ruin your complexion
Here, come under my wing and let'
toddle along together. How's mann
map"
He seized her arm and pulled he
back beside him. She tried to fire.
herself, but could not. Her unwelcom
escort held her fast, and she was oblie
ed to move as slowly as he did. I
was very dark.
"Say, what is your Manner coaxe'
the man. "Is it Maud, hey, or Julia
I always liked Julia. Don't be peevisl
Tell us; that's good girl"
She gave a quick jerk and manage
to pull her arm from his grasp, givin
him a violent push as she did so. HI
being unsteady on his feet, tumble
down the low bank which edged tn
sidewalk. Then she ran on up the hi
rs fast as she could. She heard hill
swear as he fell.
She had nearly reached the end 9
the Whitaker fence when he caugt
her. He was laughing, and that alarm
cd her almost as much as If he ha
been angry.
Naughty, naughtyw he chucklet
holding her fast. "Tryin' to sneal
was you? Not much-not this tim
Did you ever play forfeits when ye
was little? Well, this Is forfeit gan
and you're It, You must bow to Il
prettiest, kneel to the wittiest and XII
the one you love best. And I'd let yo
off on the first two Come, now! Pa
upy'
Then she screamed. and her srraa