The Lamar register., 1916-01-05
SQUARING ACCOUNTS
BY KEITH KENYON.

Here's a letter from the Union Realty
company about our mortgage They
don't want the interest this time.
They're after the entire amount or the
farm. They must know your Uncle
Tom away and won't be home for
month. l don't know what to do. He
always attends to these things. Oh.
dear!"
Donothy's pretty face was sober.
Don't you see how it is, Aunt Polly?
It's as clear as day. Mr.. Wakefield
is at the head of the Realty company
and he is interested in all the oil
leases around us. This is mis- chance
Isn't It hateful" She stamped her
foot with Indignation.
81 guess that's about right, Dor
othy. It's the oil | wish Tom was
home to see the man when he comes.
The letter says theiI representative
will be here tomorrow to look over
the situation. That means, ] suppose.
he's to go back and tell them the best
place to put down wells"
Never mind, auntie. Let me dream
over it and I'll be sure to find a way
out by tomorrow"
Comforted somewhat by her niece's
assurance, Mrs. Lenhart started to
pare apples for pies Suddenly Dor
othy had an inspiration. Let me
bake the pies. auntie won't your
Certainly, dearie. I'd be glad II
you would want to attend to some
other things before our company
comes"
But Dorothy had another inspira-
ton, and II ended by her coaxing her
aunt to spend the day with a relative.
Anxious to convey her news to sym
pathizing listeners. Mrs Lenhart was
not hard to persuade.
So Mrs. Lenhart drove away and
Dorothy laughed a wicked little laugh
that means mischief for someone.
When Stewart Martin arrived at
the farm the next day he was visibly
pleased at the greeting of Mrs. Len
hart and her very pretty niece. II
was dinner time and the most delecta
BILE smells came from the kitchen.
which added to his eontentment.
Dorothy cooked the dinner.
beamed her aunt She doesn't often
take a notion, so ! hope you'll feel
sufficiently battered
He bowed his acknowledgment. Il
am. indeed. Miss Dorothy. II things
taste as good as they look. you are
ready for a diploma"
Dorothy Redeemed. Then she sud
denly left the table. I'm not hungry
auntie. IL have a headache Please
go ahead and eat
After the first mouthful OF food,
Aunt Pollys expression changed from
one OF worry to chaErin. What was
the matter with the chicken? Dorothy
had evidently emptied the salt crock
and pepper box on II. But a hasty
bit of potato proved the contrary. A
goodly portion of salt. pepper and
suspicion of sugar had also fallen to
their lot. The beets. peas and even
preserves and the pie had been ruined
with salt.
I'm sorry. Mr. Martin. Dorothy
has evidently had little joke at your
expense II you'll wait. I'll get you
some bread and butter and preserves
and q cup Of tea"
But the gentleman had lost his ap
petite and declined with thanks. 81
think I'll look over the farm a bit. II
you don't mind"
Dorothy did not appear all after
noon-nor at the evening meal which
her aunt got herself
But how was his hostess to know
that he slept on the floor all night,
after a vain attempt to clear his bed
OF sand and Spanish needles?
At dawn he was dressed and out.
Tired and discouraged. he determined
to leave at the earliest opportunity.
Then he saw the cause of all his trou
BILE milking a COW in the barnyard and
looking like a picture in pink ging'
ham.
He hesitated an instant. Then an
odd look came into his eyes. I've
always been known to get even. Miss
Dorothy he said. coming up behind
her. and as she turned in surprise he
stopped. caught her face in his hands
and kissed her first on one cheek and
then the other.
She sprang up furious. You cow
ard"
He smiled tolerantly. When peo-
pie act like children they should be
treated as such. It's no crime surely
to kiss child"
What do you mean"