The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-03-26


tern-warn the shelterhousel"
Great Scott" Mr.. Pierce said
Here, you girls crawl over the fence;
you'll be hidden there. Ill run back
and warn them"
The lantern was swinging again. Mr..
Thoburn's grumbling came to us
through the snow.
81 can't climb the fencel" Miss Pat
ty said pitifully. But Mr.. Pierce had
gone.
| reached my basket through the
bars and climbed the fence in hurry.
Miss Patty had got almost to the top
and was standing there on one lnow-
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'tl" she whispered. IF
put them both over I'll fall"
"Hurryl"
With little grunt she put the 9TH
er foot over, sat 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 wac that nolse7" said Tho
burn. almost upon us. Something's
moving inside that fence corner"
TITS them deers," Mikes voice this
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 II down again." Mr.. Won In
valid painted. We heard the rattle OF
bottles as they put down the basket,
and the next instant Thoburn's 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
4 glass again and 'fhoburn'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 crsmped POSI-
tion and prepared to scurry home.
climbed the fence and looked after
them. "Humph!" said, Il guess that
basket isn't for the hungry poor. I'd
give a good bit to know" Then
turned and looked FOR Miss Patty. She
was fiat 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 tightl"
You ought to be left as you are"
said, jerking at her. "for people to
me"-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 wlsh." she said unpleasantly. Il
wish you wouldn't always drag in dis
agreeable things, Minnie!"
And she was sulky all the way to
the house.
Miss Summers came TO my room
that night as was putting my hot-wa-
ter bottle to bed, in baby blue silk
wrapper with a band OF fur around
the low neck-Mlss Summers, OF
course, not the hot-water bottle
Welt" 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?" asked, with the covers
up 10 my chin.
do what, Miss lnnocence!" she said
mockingly. You're the only red-haired
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 q
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. 81
never had any real intention OF marry
ing Dicky Carter and raising a baby
sanatorium. wouldn't have the face
. to ask Arabella to live hare"
I'm glad you feel that way. Miss
Summers" said. I've gone through
lot; I'm an old woman in the last
two weeks. My hairs falling from III