The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-01-31

Wnen snow came, winch IL ulo
early, as If in exasperation, nothing
could make him desist from keeping
her paths clear. And Miss Matte at
tackled her morning work furiously
to drown the sound of his shovel.
keenly conscious Of the peerings and
titterings along the street.
The Dayton cat, huge, black crea-
ture, seemed to share in the friend
illness of his master and haunted her
premises persistently, while the Day
ton puppy chewed up her door mat and
the evoning paper
BY spring Miss Matte was actually
showing signs of the strain. There
was little pucker of worry between
her eyes, and she really dreaded the
season. of outdoor living and garden
making. 1t was a shame, for she was
ardently fond of gardening.
Happy that she was free from OBJ
servation, Miss Mayne dug ccntented-
ly In a warm, early bed close to the
sheltering hedge. She even indulged
in little song quite under her
breath. Other contented little sounds
PRESENT. mingled with her own and,
turning. she saw, coming through a
hole in the hedge, the sprightliest of
yellow balls of fun with sharp, in
Quisitive eyes, and busy feet. "Oh,
you darlings," cried Miss Matte, and
the chickens. ran and picked familiar
ly at her fingers. But you must go
back the way you came, you naughty.
runaway babiesl" And she began
tucking them back through the hole
in the hedge. AS she stopped to push
the last one through, someone's fingers
closed over hers and released them as
suddenly.
Miss Matte fed precipitately. How
should know he was on the other
side coaxing them back?" she cried.
washing her hands vehe mently. sOh.
a friendly enemy is worse than a
grouchy one! l wish he'd go away
She was preparing supper, still In a
perturbed state of mind, when hur-
ried steps sounded on her front porch.
and fastening forward she beheld two
strangers carrying in the limp form
of her enemy next door.
Wen lay him here on the sofa
Ma'am," they said, land then get the
doctor. He slipped on the crosswalk
and the front wheel of the car went
over him He was conscious long
enough to tell us where he lived
And she stood alone, looking at the
unconscious man stretched on her hall
davenport
The old doctor looked grave. They
made a mistake In the house. II II
doesn't disturb you, would rather moi
move him until we see which way II
is going"
Certainly not" said Miss Matte
quietly. Would he be more comfort
able in bed? Have one of the mer
call his housekeeper." And she wen
to lay out fresh linen "A Dayton!'
she murmured. In dazed sort of way
and her cheeks went crimson.
His recovery was tedious at first;
when he did begin to mend he begged
to be taken home. Certainly not, un
till you are able." demonstrated Mat
tie, unless you are uncomfortable
here?" she amended.
Il can't bear to be making you 81
much trouble" he said seriously. HI
seemed to have lost his cheerfulness.
At last he was able to sit up and u
receive callers. and one day she ad
mitted stranger who remained TO
some time. When the man was gone
Philip Dayton called he'd to his room
THAT man wantG to buy my place
Miss Matte" he said
And you are going to SELF" sh
asked family.
That depends. l do not believe h
wants to give what 1t is worth. Whicl
is the better place Of these two?"
why, yours" said Miss Matte.
You like 1t better?"
ANY one can see" she began, an
stopped
n "Then suppose you sell him thi
place." he suggested, "and we'll kee
the other I'll deed 1t to you"
"Oh," murmured Miss Matte. as h
took both her hands in his and dre'
her down upon the edge of his sofa.
"Don't you know" continued thi
/ very domineering man with a retur
of his old cheerfulness. that | canno
go back there alone2 Don't you kno'