The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-10-02
chAPTER vi.

Deeper Than Shoulders and Ribs.
 ENRIRTTAsS calmness under
 dire, circumstances was a les
 son to both Folk and me, for
 with two gasps that sounded as one we both raced across the porch, down the path and out to the road where Folks runabout stood by the worn old stone post that had tethered the horses of the wooers of many gen erations of the maids of my house.
 But, prompt as our response to Hen Ffetta's demand for rescue had been, Cousin James was there before us. He stood in the middle of the dusty road with the tousled mite in his arms, soothing her frightened sobs against his cheek with the dearest tenderness and batting Sallie on the back with the same comforting.
 -4sOh, Henrietta, how could you nearly kill your little sister like this ?'' Sa1lie sobbed Please say something posi- tive to her, Jamesr'
 "Henrietta,,, began Cousin James with suspicion of embarrassment at Folks and my presence at the domes- tic scene Polk chol1ed ehuekle and could have murdered him.
 ssWait minute,' said Henrietta, in her most commanding voice. "Sallie, didn't you ask me to take that pup from Aunt Dilsie, cause of the phthisic and keep her quiet while the kit got a9nap and d1dn't ask you if it would be all right if I got her back whole and clean P
 Yes, Henrietta, but you''-
 sAin't she whole ali ever and clean?"
 tsYes, but
 aCouldn't nobody do any better than AL A1.- 4-~ -t4 try If have to smnxe her it has to be in my own way And with her headsin the air the Bunch marched up the walk to the house.
 At this Polk shouted, and the rest of us laughed.
 Polk: please don't encourage Hen rIetta in the way she treats me and her little sisters" Sallfe begged be- tween her laughs and her half swal- lowed sobs. II need my friends help with my children. not to have them make it hard for me. Henrietta is de voted to you. and you could influence her so for the best. Please try to help me make real woman out of her and not some sort of a terrible-terrible sufragette"
 SaIlie is the most perfectly lovely woman I almost ever saw. She has 7 great violet eyes with black lashes that beg you for piece of your heart, and her mouth is as sweet as blush rose. with cheeks that almost match it in rosiaess. She and the babies aI- ways remind me of a cluster rose and roses, flower and buds, and I don't see why every man that secs her is not mad about her They all used to be before she married, and suppose they will be again as soon as the crape gets entirely worn oE her clothes As she stood with the bubbly baby in her arms and looked up at Polk I couldn't see how he could take it calmly!
 ''Sa1lie," he answered seriously, with a g11nt in his eyes over at me. t.if you'll give me few days longer I will then have found out by experience what real woman is, and I'll begin on Hen Szefta for you accordingly
 %Dou't be too hard on Sthe kiddie," Cousin James answered hinn, with the cxznkle in the corner of his eyes that might have been called shrewd in eyes less beautifully calm. Lets trust a lot to Henrietta's powers of observation of her mother and-her neighbors.''
 Isn't that old mossback a treat for the sight of gods, and men?'' asked FOLK W1C4 4du9u as we HI SLOOQ watching the old gray coattails flap ping in the warm breeze that was rol- licking across the valley.
 ,''I don't know what would do with out him. said SaIIie softly, with tears suddenly misting the vio1ets in her eyes as she turned away from us with the baby in her arms and went slowly up the front walk of Wfdegab1es.
 Please come stay with me a little while, Evelina,' 2 she pleaded back over her shoulder. eI feel fafnfs'
 I hesitated, for, as we were on my side of the road. Po1lz was still my guest
 "Go on with SaIlie, sweeties' he an- swered my hesitating 1T don't want the snapped off fraction of il dec1ara- ton like you were about to offer me. I can bide my time and get my oayn.'' With which he turned and got into his ear as went across the street.
 Jane, I feel encouraged. I have done well today to get halfway through my declaration of independence, though he doesn't think that is what it is going to be-to Polk. If 1 can just tell him how much love him before he makes love to me we can get on such a sensi- ble footing with each other. I'll com mand the situation then.
 But suppose I do get Polk caImed down to a nice friendship after old Plato's recipe, what if I want to marry himg
 Do want to marry friend?
 Yes, I do! No. no.