The Red Cloud chief., 1911-11-30
Dibley's~ Reckoning,
BY JOHN CHARLETON

thought with chagrin as she carried
the empty dishes away. II never ate
so much in all my life at one time.
and I'd do It all over again just for
the privilege Of watching her trip in
and out!" He summed up the cost OF
his meal and asked the girl II It was
correct what IL my reckoning" he
smiled.
She said Il was and he thrust his
hand into pocket for his wallet He
went through one pocket after an.
other with growing embarrassment,
finally fishing up solitary dime.
IL must have lost my wallet"
he stammered awkwardly. before the
concern in her eyes. He was con.
scious then that bis clothes were
dusty and that his hair must be un.
tidy. What II she thought him An i'm
posterf He blushed deeply.
I'm glad you've got grace to blush.
young man." rasped a shrill voice and
behind the girl appeared the sharp
features Of middle.aged woman clad
In a violet print dress and white
apron. That's an old story-you're
not the first impostor I've cooked for
and waited upon only to have serve
me such trick! Id be ashamed"
Miss Malvina!" protested the girl
with shocked look at Laurence. I'm
sure this gentleman must have lost
his money--pray. give him q chance
to explain"
Laurence turned q grateful look
upon her and then addressed Miss
Malvina. Il am sorry. madam" he
said little stiflly. "but appearances
certainly are against me: my auto
mobile broke down In the woods back
yonder and now that come to think
Of II I must have placed my wallet in
my dust coat and the dust coat 10 In
locker In the car! II you care TO
send somebody with me - 0 guaran.
tee Of my return I will 60 back after
1t. and return to pay my reckoning!"
"F1ddlesticksi" shifted Miss NAL
vina. There isn't . soul to send
along with you now. Here am with.
out mite Of help around the place
today-everybody gone on to tho
county fair at Melton. II Miss Fairly
hadn't put on her big apron and come
down and helped me I don't know
what I'd have done-it amt right eth.
or. her being a boarder and up here
for rest! You can set right down
here. young man. until my brother
Samuel comes back from the fair-I
reckon he'll walk back with you after
your pocketbook!"
Miss Malvina!" cried the girl
again. and this time she was quite In.
dignant. II will pay you tho money
because am sure this gentleman will
return--there!" She flashed In and
out Of the house. returning witha sil.
yer mesh purse. from which she took
some money and paid Laurence Dib-
ley's reckoning with Miss Malvina.
Il hope you don't object" she said
with q smile toward him.
Miss Fairly. ! am deeply grateful
he said warmly. and under the scorn'
full eye Of Miss Malvina Lee he strobe
down the path and returned to his dis
abled machine. When he reached the
spot he came upon large motor cal
full of people lunching in the shade
Of the trees. Among them were sew
eral friends. and after he had told
them OF his trouble there were many
willing hands to pull out his car ant
with an elaborate tool kit the chauf
feur OF the big machine repaired the
broken tires sufficiently to send hin
rejoicing on his way to Melton.
No one could blame him for footing
his horn triumphantly a. he stopped
before Miss Malvina's gate. and wher
he reached the porch and had paid thu
money he had borrowed from Miss
Fairly into her pretty pink palm. n
grasped It for q moment In his owl
strong clasp.
you've been q friend indeed to me.
he said soberly. my reckoning will
Miss Malvina is paid-but my reckon
ing with you. Miss Fairly-well.
never want to settle that!" With
smile and a blush from her he wal
gone-but he went back again.
II