Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-02-10

aside her hat and veil, took her seat
at the cash register, while Redfield
went out to put his machine in order
! for the return trip. She realized that
she was now at close hand grapple
with life.
Her glowing cheeks, her pretty dress
made her a shining mark, and the men
| began at once to improve their oppor-
| tunity by asking, where's Lie"
And this embarrassed her, for the rea-
son that she did not care to go into the
cause of her mothers temporary alb
sence.
| Perceiving her nervousness, Neill Bal
lard raised loud outcry over mistake
| she made in returning change, and
this so confused and angered her that
her eyes misted with tears, and she
blundered sadly with the next GUS
toner. His delight in her discontinue,
his words, his grin, became unendura-
bic, and in a flush of rage and despair
she sprang to her feet and left them
to make triumphant exit. Il got her
ratified" he roared as he went out
shell remember me-"
The diners were all smiling, and
Gregg took a malicious satisfaction in
her defeat. She had held herself
haughtily apart from him, and he was
! glad to see her humbled.
Leaving her place behind the coun-
ter, she walked through the room with
uplifted head and burning eyes. her
heart filled with bitterness and fire.
She hated the whole town, the whole
state at the moment. Were these 1.-THE
chivalrous short grass knights" she had
heard so much about-these the large
souled western founders of empire 2"
At the moment she was in the belief
that all the heroes of her childhood
had been of the stamp Of Neill Ballard.
In the hall her pride, her sense Of
duty, came back to her, and she halted
her fleeing feet. 81 will not be beaten"
she declared, and her lips straighten-
ed. Il will not let these dreadful
creatures make a fool of me In that
way"
Thereupon she turned and went
back, pale now, but resolved to prove
herself the mistress of the situation.
Fortunately Redfield had returned,
and his serene presence helped her to
recover complete control of herself.
She remained coldly blank to every
compliment, and by this means she
subdued them.
The doctor, appearing suddenly in
the door, beckoned to her, and, leav-
ing her place, she crossed to where he
stood Your mother needs YOU" he
said curtly, go to her and keep her
quiet for an hour or two if you can"
What is the matter, doctor?"
Il can't tell you precisely, but you
must get her on a diet and keep her
there. | will write out some lists for
you after my luncheon"
Lee found her mother sitting in such
detection as she had never known her
to display, though she fired up suffi-
GENTLY to say: ''That cussed little
thimblerigger has been throwing a
great big scare into me- He says I've
got to get outdoors, live on raw meat
and weak tea and walk five miles a
day. That's what he says" she add
ed in renewed astonishment at the
mans audacity. who's at the cash?"
"Nlr. Redfeld," replied Lee. ''Ill go
right back"
"No, you won't. I'm no dead horse
yet She struggled to her feet and
started for the cash register. 81 won't
let no little Omaha doughe like that
put me out of business"
Despite all warnings she walked out
into the dining room and took her ac-
customed seat with set and stern face.