The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-03-07

showed all that week anu OuI pllhIo
were filled up almost as fast as we
made them. When | got to the sheiter'
house it was in a wild state or ex-
element. Mrs. Dick, with her cheeks
flushed, had gathered all her things on
the cot and was rolling them up IN
sheets and newspapers. But Mr.. DICK
was sitting on the box in front OF the
fire with his curly hair standing every
| way. He had been roasting potatoes
and as | opened the door, he picked
one I'D and poked at it to see If it was
done.
DAMN" he said, and dropped 1t.
Mrs. Dick sat on the cot rolling up
a pink ribbon and looked at him.
IF you want to know exactly my
reason for insisting on moving tonight,
I'll tell you," she said. paying no atten-
ton to me. 1T is your disposition.
He didn't say anything, but he put
| his foot on the potato and smashed II.
IF | had to be shut in here with
you one more day." she went on. I'd
hate YOU"
why the one more day." he asked
without looking up.
| But she didn't answer him. She was
in the worst kind Of a temper; she
threw the ribbon down, and coming
over, lifted the lid of my basket and
looked liz.
Ham again." she exclaimed IN
gratefully. Thanks so much for re-
membering us, Minnie. I dare say our
dinner today slipped your mind!"
| 81 wonder If it strikes you, Minnie"
Mr.. Dick said, noticing me for the first
time, that if you and Sam hadn't been
so COMPOUNDED meddling, that fellow
Pierce would be washing buggies in
the village livery stable where he be-
longs, and I'd be in one piece of prop
erty that's as good as gone this min
ute"
| was In a bad humor, anyhow, and
I'd had enough. stood just inside the
door and told them I'd done the best
| could, not for them, but because I'D
promised the old doctor. and If I'D
made mistakes I'd answer for them to
him If / ever met him in the next
world. And in the meantime washed
my hands of the whole thing, and they
might make out as best they could.
was going.
Mrs. Dick heard me through. Then
she came over and put her hand on
mine where it lay on the table
You're perfectly right" she said 81
know how you have tried, and that the
fault is all that wretched Pierce's. You
mustn't mind Mr.. Carter. Minnie. He's
been in that sort of humor all day"
He looked at her with the most mis-
cradle face | ever saw, but he didn't
say anything. She sighed. the little
wretch.
| plodded back with my empty bas
that l wouldn't have any more tramp
ing across the golf links in the snow
| wanted to get back to my room anG
go to bed and forget.
But as | came near the house saw
Mr.. Pierce come out on the from
piazza and switch on the lights. He
stood there looking out into the snow
and the next minute | saw why. Com
ing up the hill and across the lawr
was a shadowy line of people, blacl
against the white. l thought for 6
minute that my brain had gone wrong
then the first figure came into the
light, and it was the bishop. He stood
at the front of the steps and looked vi
at Mr.. Pierce.
81 dare say" he said, trying to lool
easy, that this is sooner than you ex
pected u.s."
Mr.. Pierce looked down at the crowd
Then he smiled, growing smile tina
ended in a grin.
ION the contrary" he said. CIV
been expecting you for an hour o
more"
The procession began to NOV,
gloomily up the steps. All of then
carried hand luggage, and they locke,
tired and sheepish. Miss Cobb stoppe,
in front of Mr.. Pierce.
do you mean to say" she demand
, ed furiously, that you knew the raj
road was blocked with snow, and we
you let us go!"
"On the contrary, Miss Cobb" h
: said politely, 81 remember distinctl
! regretting that you insisted on going
Besides, there was the Shermal
house."
Senator Briggs stopped in front Q
! him. Probably you also knew tina
that was full. including the stables
: with people from the stalled trains,
; he asserted furiously.
( Two by two they went in an
through the hall, stamping the sno,
, off, and up to their old rooms agar
r leaving Slocum. the clerk, staring a
them as if he couldn't believe his eye.
Mr.. Pierce and / watched from tn
piazza, through the glass.
We saw Doctor Barnes stop an
: look, and then go and hang over tn
r news stand and laugh himself almos
purple. and we saw Mr. Thoburn brins
p ing up the tail of the procession an
e trying to look unconcerned. / am nc
a revengeful woman, but that was on
I OF the happiest moments of my life.
, We gave them a good supper an
Mr.. Pierce ordered claret served will
r out extra charge. By eight o'cloc
| they were all in better humor, an
: when they'd gathered in the lobb
Miss Summers gave an imitation {
I | Mario nracclor dpipU ha Color,