The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-09-09

her only living nephew. She's rela-
ton of all the Bits family, but he's
her one and only living nephew. Re
mem-bur, next July she's goin' to be
hung, and each and all you now see
before you
Penrod paused abruptly, seeing some
thing before himself-the august and
awful presence which filed the entry
way. And his words lit should be re-
lated froze upon his lips.
Before herself Mrs. Roderick Mays
worth Bits saw her son-her scion
wearing a moustache and sideburns Of
blue. and perched upon box danked
by Sherman and Verman, the Michi-
gan rats, the Indian dog Duke. Her
man, and the dog part alligator.
Roddy also saw something before
himself 1t needed no prophet to read
the countenance Of the dread appari-
ton In the entryway. His mouth OPEN
ed-remained open-then filed to capac-
ity with calamitous sound Of grief
not unmingled with apprehension.
Penrod's reason staggered under the
crisis. For horrible moment he saw
Mrs. Roderick Magsworth Bits ap-
preaching like some fatal mountain in
avalanche. She seemed to grow larger
and redder; lightnings played about
her head. He had a vague conscious
ness Of the audience spraying out In
fight, Of the sQuealings, tramplings
and dispersals of stricken field. The
mountain was close upon him
He stood by the open mouth Of the
hay chute which went through the
floor to tho manger below. Penrod
also went through the floor. He pro-
PEELED himself into the chute and shot
down. but not quite to the manger,
for Mr.. Samuel Williams had thought
fully stepped into the chute a moment
In advance Of his partner. Penrod lit
upon Sam.
Catastrophe noises resounded In the
loft; volcanoes seemed to romp upon
the stairway.
shrill keening marked the passing Of
Roderick as he was borne to the tun-
bril-. Then all was silence.
Sunset striking through a western
window rouged the walls of the Scho-
fields library, where gathered a joint
family council and court martial of
four-Mrs. Schofeld, Mr.. Schofleld and
Samuel Of that fix. Mr.. Williams read
aloud conspicuous passage from the
last edition Of the evening paper:
prominent people here believed
close relations of woman sentenced to
hang. Angry denial by Mrs. r. Mays
worth Bits. Relationship admitted by
younger member of family. His state
ment confirmed by boy friends
"Dontw said Mrs. Williams, ad-
dressing her husband vehemently.
We've all read 1t a dozen times.
We've got plenty Of trouble on our
hands without hearing that again."
Singularly enough, Mrs. Williams did
not look troubled; she looked as II she
were trying to look troubled. Mrs.
Schofield wore a similar expression.
So did Mr.. Schofield. So did Mr.. Will
liams.
what did she say when she called
you up?" Mrs. Schofield inquired breath
lessly of Mrs. Williams.
"She could hardly speak at first. and
then when she did talk she talked SO
fast couldn't understand most of it,
and
ut was just the same when she tried
to talk to me-" said Mrs. Schofield,
nodding
81 never did hear any one in such a
state before" continued Mrs. Williams
80 furious
"Quite justly, Of course" said Mrs.
Schof1eld.
"Of course. And she said Penrod
and Sam had enticed ROderick away
from home-usually he's not allowed to
20 outside the yard except with his
tutor or a servant-and had told him
to say that horrible creature was his
aunt
Sam and Penrod ever thought OF such
a thing as that?" exclaimed Mrs. Scho-
field. ut must have been made up just
for their Show Della says there were
Just streams going in and out all day.
OF course 1t wouldn't have happened.
but this was the day Margaret and
I spend every month In the country
with Aunt Sarah. and didn't dream
"She said one thing thought rather
tactless," interrupted Mrs. Williams.
"Of course we must allow for her be-
ing dreadfu'ly excited and wrought up,
but I do think it wasn't quite delicate
In her, and she's usually the very soul
of delicacy. She said that Roderick
had never been allowed to associate
with-with common boys
Meaning Sam and Penrod," said
Mrs. Schofield. Eyes, she said that to
me too"
"She said that the most awful thing
about it," Mrs. Williams went on.
was that, though she's going to prose
cute the newspapers, many people
would always believe the story, and
Yes, l imagine they WILL" said Mrs.
Schofield musingly. "Of course you
and l and everybody who really knows
the Bits and Magsworth families I'M
derstand the perfect absurdity of It
But l suppose there are ever so many
who'll believe 1t, no matter what the
Bttses and Magsworths say"
Hundreds and hundreds said Mrs.
Williams. I'm afraid 1t will be a
great comedown for them"
I'm afraid so,' said Mrs. Schof1eld
gently. "a very great one-yes, a very.
very great one"
"well," observed Mrs. Williams after
a thoughtful pause. there's only one
thing to be DONE and suppose 1t had
better be done right away"
She glanced toward the two gentle
men.
Certainly" Mr.. Schofeld agreed.