The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-09-16
TheEpenine Story
The Door Mat.
copyr,sh, usis. sy w. Werner,


Sophie Peel peeked from the win.
dow. focused her glasses and
peeked again.
Ina May" she called. sharply,
run and shoe Tuttles' chickens out
OF the garden. They're pecking our
ripe tomatoes.
Ina May ran. Ina May was Mrs.
Feels niece. who had lived with her
since childhood Dull OF wit was
Ina May and none too fleet OF foot,
and the black game chickens OF the
next door Tuttles fed to cover be-
fore she had fairly started.
They'll be right back again"
sighed Sophie. who had followed Ina
May out Regretfully she eyed her
tomatoes. coming TO slow red ripe
ness in the casual September sun.
The best OF them had been riddled
by the predatory beaks OF the fowls.
They're about half-starved. poor
critters" said Sophie. but still
that's no reason why they should
live In my garden. as they have done
ever since they were Matched. I've
limited 10 Mrs futile. but | might
better have saved my breath. The
chickens are still running Wild and
will till snow flies"
As she turned TO re-enter the
house past her fed black and
white streak. which shot up tn"
little apricot tree and crouChed, q
nun OF fur and glare OF eyes, upon
the highest hpugh After the cat
scampcred lean fox terrier. who
auRg himself hcationg upon the
tree trunk and nearly rent himself
IN exasperated barking
Ina May" called Sophie. She
was afraid OF dogs. but Ina May was
not. Ina May caught MP n handful
OF earth and nung II al the dog. who
paid no heed until a soft, persuasive
whistle sounded somewhere from the
distance, whereupon he scurried
away. Ina May. half crying. reached
into the tree and rescued old Cute,
whom shc loved almost as her own
life
Aunt Sophie" she blurted out.
III you don't say something 10 Miss
Simmons about her dog chasing our
cat. I shall. So there"
I'm tempted toI'm tempted 20"
Sophie mutterei Well bring Cute
in. Ina May. and give him a bit OF
meat. That'll take the scare out Of
him quickest OF anything"
Sophie Peel returned TO her work
AZ the window She was making
over an old dress for a woman who
was in a great hurry for II. Al 10.
Sophie Peel siill pursued the dress.
making trade. but II was seldom now
that she had new material 10 work
upon No longer skilled OF finger
or correct OF eye. she had 10 be con
tent With making over old clothing
a thing she hated TO do still work
r. work. especially when II brings in
something. and Sophie had never
saved enough 20 enable her to be
idle. Besides. there was Ina May.
who did the housework and occa-
sionally helped with the coarser
stitching. but who In no way earned
her keep Every moment Of day.
light was precious TO Sophie. since
her eyes would not permit her 10
sew al night. and she was amazed
now TO find that IN her recent eX.
citemen, she had unthreaded her
needle and mIslaid her thimble. She
was just calming down to real Of.
fort when there came a knock al
the door. following Immediately by
the entrance of a long necked. sandy
woman In blue who showed an over.
dressed child OF six before her
How do. Mis- Peel" said the
woman Nice day. amt II? Just
want to leave this bundle mere while
| 20 down 10 the store And do you
mind IL leave Loyerna. too? She
makes me so nervous when I'm try.
ing 90 trade guess she won't be
any trouble Youll stay with Aunt
Sophie. won't you. pct? always