The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-07-10
- THE -
Melting
Of Molly
By
MARIA THOMPSON
DAVIESS
Copyright, 1912, by the Bobbs-
Merrill Company
Copyright, 1912, by the Bobbs-
Merrill Company
Get away from my Molly, manr

him and Billy
ITS a lovely day. isn't it, Judge
Wade? / asked with the greatest in
terest, which | didn't really feel in the
weather, but what could think of to
say? A woman Is apt to keep the i'm.
age of good many of the grand men
she sees passing around her in queer
inches In her brain. and when one steps
out and speaks to her for the first time
It is confusing. OF course have
known the judge and his mother all
my life, for she is one of Aunt AIDE
lines best friends, but | had feeling
from the look in his eyes that that
very minute was the first time he had
ever seen me 1t was lovely. and
blushed some more as put my hand
up to my cheek so wouldn't have to
look right at him.
about the lovellest day that ever
happened In Hillsboro," he said, and
there was still more Of The delicious
smile, though l hadn't noticed 1t so
especially until"-
But never knew what he had in
tended to say, for Billy suddenly swell
ed up like little turkey cock and cut
out with his switch at the judge.
"Gtt, man, git, and let my Molly
aloner' he said in a perfect thunder
tone OF voice, but | almost laughed,
for It had such sound In 1t like DR..
JOINTS at his most positive times with
Billy and me.
mo, no, Billy, the judge is just look.
ing over the fence at our flowers! Don't
you want to give him a roseT | hur.
ried to say as the smile died out of
Judge Wades face and be looked at
Billy intently.
How like John Moore the yrungster
is," he said, and his voice was so cold
to Billy that it hurt me, and | was
afraid Billy would notice it. Goodness
in peoples voices always makes me
feel just like Ice cream tastes But
Billy's answer was still more rude
You better go. man. before ! bring
my father to sic our dog on you." he
exploded, and before | could stop him
his thin little legs went trundling down
the garden path toward home.
Then the Judge and I both laughed.
We couldn't help 1t When two people
laugh straight into each others eyes
something feels dangerous and you get
closer together The Judge leaned
farther over the fence, and | went
little nearer before | knew it
you don't need to keep a personal
dog, do you, Mrs. CarterT he asked
with a twinkle that might have been
q spark In bis eyes, and just at that
moment another awful thing happened
Aunt Adeline came out on the front |
porch and said in the most frozen tone !
Sf voice.
MARY, wish to speak to you in the
house." and then walked back through |
the front door without even looking in |
Judge Wade's direction, though he had |
waved his hat with one of his mothers
own smiles when he had seen her be-
fore did One Of my most impossible
habits Is when there Is nothing else to !
do laugh ] did It then and 1t saved |
the day, for we both laughed into each |
others eyes a second time, and before
we realized it we were within whisper |
ing distance.
mo, | don't-don't-need any dog"
! said softly. hardly glancing out from |
under my lashes because was afraid |
to risk looking straight at him again
so soon. | could fairly feel Aunt Ade-
lines eyes boring into my back
ut would take the hydra headed |
monster of-may ! bring my mother to
call on you and the-Mrs Henderson,
he asked and poured the wonder smile
all over me. Again | almost caught
my breath.
II do wish you would, Aunt Adeline
is so fond of Mrs Wader' said in
positive 1utter that ! hope he didn't
see, but | am afraid be did. for he
hesitated as If he wanted to say some
thing to calm me. then bowed merci-
fully and went on down the street.
He didn't put on the hat he had held
in his hand all the while he stood by
the fence until he had looked back and
bowed again Then felt still more
fluttered as ! went into the house, but
l received the third cold plunge of the
day when | reached the front hall
Mary" said Aunt Adeine in a voice
that sounded as II 1t had been buried
and never resurrected. IF you are GO
ing to continue In such an unseemly
course Of conduct hope you will re-
move your mourning, which is an emp
~ mockery and an insult to my own
widowhood."
Eyes. Aunt Adeline. I'll go take 1t
off this very minute" heard myself
answer her airily to my own astonish.
ment ! might have known that II
ever got one of those smiles 1t would
go to my head! Without another word
sailed into my room and closed the
door softly
wonder II God could have realized
what a tender thing he was leaving
exposed to life in the garden Of the
world after he had finished making a
woman? Traditionally, we are Great
ed ont Of rose leaves and star dust and