New Britain herald., 1915-08-07

Two days later the farm people passing in the neighborhood of the late Mrs. Berkenshaw's house were treated to the spectacle of an alert shrill-voiced female experimenting the erection of high board fence. which completely divided house and grounds into two even sections from the front gate clear down to the rear boundary wall.
 Passed the spring and came the summer, flower-crowned like a bride. Miss Tapscott, proud in the joy of pos session, lived her life of isolation in the green open. Not once in all the weeks she had inhabited her half of the divided property had she come in contact with her colegatee. or caught even so much as a passing glimpse of her or her boy.
 Sometimes it is true, Miss Tap scott could catch the sound of child ish laughter or the soft murmur Of woman's voice from the other side Of the high board fence which divided the two gardens; but 1t was not until mid-June that anything occurred to disturb the peaceful serenity. Of the spinster's isolation.
 A storm overnight had found weak spot in the garden fence, and leveled portion of it far down by the rear boundary wall. making gap in the thick screen of morning glories and scarlet-runners and climbing nastur- tiums which Miss Jo had planted to mask the grim baroness of the un- painted boards.
 But other eyes had spied 1t if hers had not; and Miss Tapscott, busy pruning and tying up her mangled plants, was suddenly startled by a voice saying close to her elbow, Your chewberries is all comin' off the twees by themselves; so bwinged 'em home to you-see!" and, glancing sharply up, she beheld standing beside her small bareheaded figure, with red stained face and Iooped-up p1narore half-filled with luscious windfalls.
 "Now, you march right straight out of here this instant" exclaimed she, "double-quick now; and tell your ma that this is agin' agreement"
 70, ho; what funny big scissors!" laughed the child, totally unusued 70 being repulsed or spoken sharply to and therefore failing to understand Miss Tapscott's ire. Does your num- my let you play wiv scissors? Mine don't Here's your chewweries. I eat ed some."
 Well. you kin eat the rest, then; I don't want 'em," snapped Miss Jo ungraciously. "Git along now. and go back where you belong How'd you get in here I'd like to know? Did your ma hev' the cheek to let you come?"
 Mummy don't know. Mummy's lyin' down. It's one of her bad head days" replied the child plaintively. And I didn't have muffin to do but jiss walk in the garden and play wiv my kitten. It was kitten what finded the hole in your fence first"
 "A hole in the fence?"
 70, ho! Look! Here's a big big chewwery. Open your mouf and shut your eyes, and I'll div you somefing to make you wise.' You mustn't look. Jiss bend down and open your mouf. "
 70, get along with you! I never see sich pesterin' critter. Whats that hole in the fence, hey?"
 "'Open your mouf and shut you eyes, and I'll div you somefng to make you wise.'"
 70, well, then, there, you pesterin little nuisance! I suppose there ain't no other way of gittin' rid of you; and if"
 A big cherry dropped into her mouth, a shower of others fell upon the grass at her feet, and at the same moment she felt two little clinging arms wrap themselves tightly about her neck, and a pair of warm, soft little lips press themselves to hers.
 And at the same time, I getted first kiss! I getted first kiss!" laughed the child, releasing her and clapping his hands joyously. "Now, you dot to pay forfeit and be my hosie. Dit app!"
 Well, of all the Land sakes alive!