The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-03-13

4
why, Minnie, is that your
Quick" ! painted. 'Thoburn and
Mr. Won invalid coming basket--lan.
tern--warn the shelter-housei"
Great Scott!" Mr.. Pierce said.
Here, you girls crawl over the fence:
you'll be hidden there. III run back
and warn them"
The lantern was swinging again. Mr..
Thoburn's grumbling came to us
through the snow.
Il can't climb the fence!" Miss Pat
~ said pitlfully 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 snow
covered rail, staring across at me
through the darkness.
j can't. Minnie" she whispered
hopelessly II never could climb a
fence, and in this skirt
Quick" | said in low tone. The
lantern was very close. "Put your leg
over
She did, and sat there looking down
az me like scared baby.
Now the other
II can't!D she whispered. III |
put them both over I'll fall"
"Hurryi!"
With a little grunt she put The 9TH
or foot over, sat minute with agony
IN her face and her arms out, then she
siid 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"
It's 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
u the springhouse girl hadn't object
ed She thinks she's the whole cheese
around here"
Set II down again." MIR. 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 Thoburns 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. "Humphl" said, II 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
rk-"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 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. II
wish you wouldn't always drag In dis
agreeable things, Minnie!"
And she was sulky all the way to
he house.
Miss Summers came to my room
hat night as was putting my hot.wa-
Ter bottle to bed. in a baby.blue silk
wrapper with band OF fur around
he low neck-Miss Summers. of {
course, not the hot.water bottle.
Well" she said. sitting down on
he foot OF the bed and staring at me.
Well, young woman. for person who
las never been farther away than Fin. |
eyviile you do pretty Welt"
DO what7' asked, with the covers
Up to my chin. :
DO what. Miss Innocence!" she said !
nockingly. You're the only red-haired /
woman ! ever saw who didn't look as
sophisticated as the devil. I'll tell Won !
me thing. though" She reached down
nto the pocket OF her dressing gown
md brought up cigarette and a a
match. You never had me fooled for =
minute" She looked at me over the 1
match
lay and stared back.
And another thing she said, ~
lever had any real intention of marry. :
ne Dieky Carter and raising a baby /
! wouldn't have the face I
0 ask Arabella to live here" /,
I'm glad you feel that way. Miss i
summers said. i've gone through !,
lot; I'm an old woman In the last n
Wo weeks. Ny hairs falling from tta 8