The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-11-11


lowed. I'll go out and have a cigar
on the back porch and look at the
stars awhile. Maybe they will get set.
tied before | turn in
He thought Of n number Of things as
he smoked. How he had planned To
he en- engineer when he went TO col.
'egc and how he had been compelled to
postpone his plan: how his chum. Jack
Emery had gone on and finished. and
of the time Jacks sister had visited
him. Margaret Baker looked some.
thing like her. he thought. Then he
thought Of the mon hn had just left
and Of the game OF whist. "lf Alex
hadn't led the spade and compelled
me- TO trump and break up my heart
suit we'd have lad the extra trick.
Another thing. ! forgot the leads when
Alexis wife zane in that time She
has = mouth like Margaret Baker.
Talks like her. too. little" In fact
Ill roads in his brain seemed to lead
TO Margaret. His cigar went out. He
tossed 1t impatinntly into the bricked
ward beneath and got UP. Guess I'll
20 in" Put he didn't go in. He put
his foot on the rail. Rugged his knee
and looked at the stars end thought
OF Jacks sister and Mrs. Alexis mouth.
There was sudden crash.
\ dish Of china or glass whizzed
mast his head and smashed on the
bricks below Rut the contents.
something warm and sluey. was cling
inS like besettirs sin TO Billy's coat
trousers and shoes.
We'll. I'll he darned' said Dii,v fu-
rionsly. "Wha; on earth do they leave
the;' meals outside for to ruin other
rcoHi-'s clothcsr That's the same
huach that walks the baby all night
! think this Is pretty good time to
tell them what think of them. I'll
60 right mp as ! am and make them
helm mo clean 1t off,
Dripping Gelatine. he knocked i'm.
reratively OH the door above. through
which infantilc walls were coming.
and almost instantly It opened.
Il would like you to see the dam
age your" He got no further. Mar
Miss Baker," he exclaimed. 81 did
not know you lived here. came up to
tell YOU that something dropped off
your back porch and"
"My gelatine!" cried Margaret in
dismay. shifting the crying baby from
one shoulder to the other. "oh what
will poor Mrs. Doogan do now. Its
all she can eat. How could it have
fallen?"
Billy was puzzled but Indignation
was uppermost. But my clothes.
Miss Baker! It was careless of your
maid to leave 1t where It could fall"
"Mv maid: that's good. Hush hon.
ey! There. that's better" cuddling the
baby close to her neck. 81 made that
| gelatine myself and put It there to
! harden. And I'm not half as sorry
about your clothes as I am for poor
Mrs. Doogan. But If you will come
In. I'll try to get II off. There. sit on
this chair and I'll spread a newspa-
ner. Mavbe baby will keep quiet
little while now. for it's bottle time.
I'll be right back"
In few minutes the CRYING stopped
and Margaret came in with a basin
OF warm water and cloth.
IT told You to sit down." she said,
II don't always do as am told"
II can't reach up when you are
standing. It's all over this sleeve.
Hold your arm this way. will vou?"
He caught her hand DO you
think I'm actually going to let you
wash me off,"
IT don't see why not. What else did
you come up for?"
ITO make fool OF myself"
Margaret was silent.
Say, Miss Baker. whose baby Is
that"
Mrs. Doogan's."
"Who is Mrs. Doogan?"
Tommy is In my room at school.
He's STAYING here now while his moth.
err is sick. He's in my bed asleep"
"How did you find about his moth
err"
Don't you remember, the trunnt
officer told us why Tommy couldn't
come. Mother sick. Father out OF
work was the report"
Eyes. 7 remember now. Never
thought OF It again."
$50 I bring Tommy and the baby
here after school and do what can
for the others in the mornings"
Billy was looking very queer. DO
you always take these reports so mucl,
to heart?"
What do you mean"
do the kind Samaritan thing. You
know"
Let me get the worst of that sticky
stun OH your coat. won't YOU" she
evaded. REALLY. I'm awful sorry It
happened. You are in bad shape"
rs that why you always have the
highest percentage OF attendance, be.
cause you buy shoes for Lizzie and
get work for Mikes father. and nurse
babies 70. the Doogan's; her face was
flaming and her eyes downcast.
II wish you wouldn't talk about IT,"
she protested. "You don't like me.
Mr.. Merwin. I've always felt your dis.
approval. Now. won't you please let
me wipe off your clothes. "IIl have
to go to the baby soon, for he'll CIV
when he finishes his bottle"
GhN1pthiinrp. IN, f5iSn ,rx-,-.