The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-03-21

bars and climbed the fence in a hurry
Miss Patty had got almost to the tor
and was standing there on one snow
covered rail, staring across at me
through the darkness.
Il can't, Minnie" she whispered
hopelessly. Il never could climb a
fence, and in this skirt"
Quick" | said in a low tone. The
lantern was very close. Put your leg
over"
She did, and sat there looking down
at me like scared baby.
Now the other"
II can't" she whispered. III !
put them both over I'll fall"
"Hurry!!"
With little grunt she put fhe 9TH
er foot over. sat a minute with agony
in her face and her arms out, then she
slid off with a squeal and brought up
In sitting position inside the fence
corner. | dropped beside her.
What was that noise?" said Tho
burn, almost upon us. Something's
moving inside that fence corner"
|
| time. We could make out the three
| figures. 'Darned nuisance, them deers
is. They'd have been shot long ago
II the springhouse girl hadn't object
ed. She thinks she's the whole cheese
around here"
Set it down again." Mr.. Won In
valid painted. We heard the rattle of
bottles as they put down the basket,
and the next instant Thoburns fat
hand was resting on the rail of the
fence over our heads. could feel
Miss Patty trembling beside me.
But he didn't look over He stood
there resting. breathing hard, and
swearing at the weather, while Mike
waited, in surly silence, and the Won
invalid cursed In German.
After my heart had been beating in
my ears for about three years the fat
hand moved, and heard the rattle of
glass again and Thoburn's groans as
he bent over his half of the load.
Come on" he said, and the others
grunted and started on.
When they had disappeared in the
snow we got out of our cramped posi-
ton and prepared to scurry home.
climbed the fence and looked after
them. "Humph!" said. 81 guess that
basket isn't for the hungry poor. I'd
give good bit to know" Then |
turned and looked for Miss Patty. She
was Nat on the snow, crawling be-
tween the two lower rails of the fence.
Have you no shame?" | demanded
She looked up at me with her head
and half her long sealskin coat
through the fence.
None" she said pitifully. Minnie,
I'm stuck perfectly Tight"
You ought to be left as you are"
said. jerking at her, for people to
come"-jerk-'tomorrow to look at
jerk. She came through at that, and
we lay together in the snow and like
to burst a rib laughing.
You'll never be a princess, Miss
Patty" ! declared. You're too lowly
minded"
She sat up suddenly and straight.
ened her sealskin cap on her head.
Il wish" she said unpleasantly. Il
wish you wouldn't always drag in dis |
agreeable things, Minniel"
And she was sulky all the way to
the house.
Miss Summers came to nv room
that night as was putting my hot-wa-
ter bottle to bed, in baby blue silk
wrapper with band of fur around
the low neck-Miss Summers, of
course. not the hot-water bottle.
Well" she said, sitting down on
the foot of the bed and staring at me.
We'll. young woman, for a person who |
has never been farther away than Fin
leyville you do pretty WE'LL"
DO what?" l asked, with the covers |
up to my chin.
DO what, Miss Innocence!" she said |
mockingly. You're the only redhaired
woman ! ever saw who didn't look as |
sophisticated as the devil I'll tell you
one thing, though" She reached down
into the pocket Of her dressing gown
and brought up a cigarette and a
match. You never had me fooled for
a minute!" She looked at me over the
match.
lay and stared back.
And another thing" she said. 'I
never had any real intention of marry.
ing Dicky Carter and raising a baby
l wouldn't have the face
10 ask Arabella to live here"
I'm glad you feel that way. Miss
Summers" | said. I've gone through
a lot; I'm an old woman in the last
TWO weeks. My hairs falling from its
having to stand up on end half the
Tine"
She leaned over and put her cigar
cite on the back Of my celluloid mir
'or, and then suddenly she threw back
her head and laughed.
"Minnie!" she said, between fits.
Minnie! AS long as live I'll never
orget that wretched boys face! And
he sand boxes! And the blankets
'ver the windows! And the tarpaulin
over the rafters! And Mr.. Van Al
tyne sitting on the lawnmower! I'd
ather have had my minute in that
doorway than fifty thousand dollars,"
IF you had had to carry out all
hose things" began. but she
hecked me.
"Listen!" she said. Somebody with
rains has got to take you young peo-