The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-07-13
DETTrS CHERRY PIE
BY cLARlssA mAckIE.

II was such q delectable cherry pie
-fiaky. pale-brown crust. with delicate
pink juice oozing through a tiny hole
at the top as If to give a hint OF
the imprisoned rapture within.
Because it was her first really sue
cessful cherry pie. Betty was highly
elated as she placed it In the pantry
window to cool 1t was to grace the
dinner table that night when her ia
ther returned from the city. hot and
tired, after a long day In the Office
Later Betty changed her frock and
with readable book went out TO the
hammock swinging under the apple
tree.
She loved this tiny vine-wreathed
cottage which her father had hired
for the season from its owner. Miss
Alicia Peck. She fairly yearned over
the polished mahogany furniture. the
fine old china and the pervading at.
nsosphere of . bygone day that was
completed by Miss Alicia herself. a
tiny little woman who clung to the
customs of her mothers time.
There was no one to notice when
a ragged and unkempt young man
appeared from the direction Of the
river and tried the kitchen door. But
the key was under Betty's pillow IN
the hammock and all the other doors
we're locked as well. for Betty was .
cautious little soul.
Then the intruder went around TO
the pantry window. glanced specula-
lively at the removable screen-and
saw the cherry pie.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation
as he reached long arm, pushed aside
the screen. and removed the. pie, plate
and all. Betty'S eyes popped wide open,
just in time to glimpse the ragged
stranger disappearing with the cherry
pie.
"Of all the-impudence!" breathed
Betty as she slipped from the ham
mock and followed him. There never
will be another such a cherry pie in
this worldl"
When Betty came upon him, he
was holding half the cherry pie in
each hand, and his ecstatic expression
and general sickness OF countenance
proclaimed that Betty's effort was
without doubt success.
What are you eating?" demanded
Betty in an aggrieved tone.
"Ambrosia," he replied with an
anctuous smack of his lips.
Betty started resentfully.
That's a nice way to evade ex-
planning why you stole my cherry
pie! I'd be ashamed, a great big,
strong man like you-s-s-st-steal-ing
pie!"
why steal plain bread and but
ter, or even cake when you can find
pie like this? Cherry pie is my ia
,vorite of all pies" he said with a
fond glance at the pastry. And |
never tasted better cherry pie m
all my Iife."
why don't you go to work and
earn money to buy food?" she asked,
after she had watched him with fas-
cinated eyes, consume the remainder
of the pie.
II do work part Of the time." he con-
tossed.
What is your trader"
Painter" he said, rather humbly.
Betty's eyes frightened. Here was
an opportunity to make this recreant
youth pay for his pie.
"Then you can come right up to
the house and paint the veranda
chairs for me-" she said decisively. Il
was going to do them myself. but you
might as well pay for the pie"
Very WELL" he said with aston
ishing meekness, considering his size
and strong. square chin.
They had reached the house by this
time, the tramp rmping painfully
after her through the prickling stub
BILE OF the orchard.
Betty turned to speak to her COM
panion, but she was silent in the face
Of his manifest amazement at their
destination.
You said It was your pie" he re-
preached her. why, could have
sworn Aunt Alicia made It,"
Miss Alicia?" fautered Betty why
its made by her recipe-she
showed me how-why do you call her
your aunt!"
Because she is," returned this
amazing tramp cheerfully. The only
and best aunt fellow ever had. Are
you visiting herr"
Betty told him the circumstances.
Il never received her letter" he said
with chagrin. Il came down the river
in a canoe, took a notion to go In
swimming before came up to the
house, and left my clothes on the
shore When I cane out my own
clothes had disappeared, and found
these. had to wash them out first
and dry them In the sun before put
them on, and then l came on up to
Aunt Alicia's, knowing / had some
old clothes in the kitchen loft cham
Der. I found Aunt Alicia was not at
home, but / discovered the cherry pie
--and annexed II, and. believe me,
Aunt Alicia hasn't anything over you
on cherry pies. But / don't believe
therell be another one just like this"
Betty blushed. '1f YOU are Miss
Alicia's nephew, you must be the art.
fcf ~ wborr, che 60 M nrottd--Mr Gnr-