The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-12-19

so,ll" And up he carried her to he.
own rooms on the second floor. with
Shaddle busying himself with luggage
in the vestibule. with Miss Bridget
Supple gathering together satchels.
shaw straps and valises. both exchang-
ing glances. Saddles somewhat sheep
ish and suggestive. Miss Supplies arch,
yet forbidding. as indeed had been the
case between these two for 10. these
past many years.
When the trunks were all taken up
and the light luggage. too; when Sup
| pie had discovered that she was not
wanted above and therefore had come
down to assist Shaddle in looking over
the table and seeing that everything
was in exact form. Shaddle was found
standing. thoughtfully leaning against
the mantel corner twirling a ring
around on his large thumb. Miss
Bridget Supple had seen; that ring be-
fore. several times. She came into the
dining room. drew the folding doors
| closer between the drawing room, ar
ranged the curtains, ven advanced to
the hearth and poked the logs a little.
lifted the bellows and began to pun
them.
Bridget" exclaimed Shaddle.
No attention was paid. Miss Supple
| continued to ply her bellows. "Biddy!"
Miss Supple vouchsafed a glance.
"Ah. Biddy. darlin'. what's the use
of waitin' any longer? Won't you
make 1t Christmas eve?"
Miss Supple. from sheer force Of long
habit maybe. shook her head.
Eyes. you Wilt" Shaddle persisted.
Isn't the young masters example a
good one? And If we keep on like this
we'll soon be too old for it altogether"
"Never too old" exclaimed Miss Sup
pie.
Maybe not" with a doubtful empha-
sis. "But make it Christmas eve at
st. Joseph's. won't you?"
Miss Supple had parted these sug-
gestions for many revolving years.
Rising from the hearth she replied.
Lets wait a. bit, Shad."
"'Wait a bit!'" retorted the butler.
1--WE waited and waited and waited.
Biddy. what are we waitin' for now?"
ITO see how this"-the serving wo-
man lifted her eyes to the room over
head-"turns out"
Are you crazy? Turns outy With
the two of them clean wild for one
another, how could it turn out? And
ever II It didn't, what reason Is that
for you and me to be keepin' from
havin' our banns ready" Shaddle re-
arranged his forks with an undue clat-
ter.
wait a bit" reiterated Miss Supple.
adjusting her cap at the mirror in the
pier. Its not us that should be after
leavin' them two young things to them
selves just at the start"
isn't it," cried Shaddle irately.
"Of course we wouldn't be leavin'
for good and all. but only for a fort
nights vacation like: it wouldn't be
right. though. Mrs. Van Zandt II be
needin' me. Shad. and the young mas
ter can't get on without you"
Cant he: But I'm to get on without
yOus 6lu0y!
''Whisht! Amt I here in the same
house with you?" MI. Shaddle SEEM
ed to find Arrangement in the eyes of
Miss Supple. who, however. promptly
eliminated personal sentiment by ask
ing. How do You like the new mis-
tressY"
She's rs fine as silk. Biddy."
THAT she is. with eyes in her head
like diamonds"
HE worships her"
That he does"
"Ah. so On. now. Shad. them napkins
Is tumbling over and the smilax
wreaths are fallin' from the chande.
Her"
Shaddle. dissuaded thus from mere
romance. replaced the smilax, stood
the plate warmer in front Of the glow.
ing fire and then vanished into his
pantry.
That first dinner went OF admirably;
many another with friends and reia-
dives at the board: Amy De Peyster