Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-04-10

L
bars and climbed the fence in q hurry.
Miss Patty had got almost to the top
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.
Nov the other"
IL can't" she whispered. Tf I
put them both over Ill fall"
"Hurry!!"
With a little grunt she put the 9th.
er foot over. sat a minute with agony
In her face and her arms out, then she
slid on 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"
Its them deers." Mikes voice this
time. We could make out the three
figures. "Darned nuisance. them deers
10. 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 1t down again." Mr.. Won In
wald painted. We heard the rattle of
bottles a. they put down the basket.
and the next instant Thoburn's fat
hand was resting on the rail Of the
fence over our heads. I 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 -
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. I
climbed the fence and looked after
them. "Humph!" said. Il guess that
basket isn't for the hungry poor. I'd
give q good bit to know" Then l
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 az you are." l
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 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.
II WISH" she said unpleasantly. Il
wish you wouldn't always drag In dis
agreeable things. Minnie!"
And she was sully ill the way to
the house.
Miss Summers came to my room
that night ~ was putting my hot-wa-
ter bottle to bed. In . baby-blue silk
wrapper with q band Of fur around
the low neck-Miss 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 . person who
has never been farther away than Fin
leyville you do pretty Welt"
DO what?" asked. with the covers
up to my chin.
DO what, Miss Innocence!" she said
mockingly. You're the only red-haired
woman I ever saw who didn't look a.
sophisticated as the aeyil. I'll tell you
one thing. though" She reached down
into the pocket of her dressing-gown
and brought up cigarette and
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. I wouldn't have the face
to ask Arabella to live here"
I'm glad you feel that way, Miss
Summers" said. I've gone through
q lot: I'm an old woman In the last
two weeks. My hairs falling from it,
having to stand up on end half the
time"
She leaned over and put her cigar.
cite on the back of my celluloid mir.
ror. and then suddenly she threw back
her head and laughed.
"Minnie!" she said, between flts,
Minnie! AS long as live Ill never
forget that wretched boys face! And
the sand boxes! And the blankets
over the windows! And the tarpaulin
over the rafters! And Mr.. Van Al
styne sitting on the lawnmower! I'd
rather have had my minute in that
doorway than fifty thousand dollars!"
III you had had to carry out all
those things" began. but she
me.
'Lieten!" she said. Somebody with
brains has got to take you young peo-
pie in hand. You're not able to look
after yourselves. I'm fond Of Alan
Pierce. for one thing, and don't care