The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1917-03-02
HESTRAWDERRY FESTIVAL
BY EARL siLVEkS.

Cntskills. She was assisted In the |
various duties Of her position by her |
daughter Margaret, who was as pretty
din irish Gin az cuhld he found IN n
doy's tourney. and whichever lief eyes
met those of Walter Blake she becaine
sven pfettief'
Wnitet had come to fefhdnle In the
early summer, and there he had met
another Margaret, a Miss Fischer
whose home was in New York. She
had admirers by the score, and Walter
Blake was one Of them, During the
first part of his visit, he had followed
her around much in the manner OF q
faithful collie who will not be driven
back when his master wants to go
somewhere without him.
but one night he had dscohsolNtely
Watched her drive over the hills with
Edgar Nolan, and turning had found
Margaret McConaughty looking at him
with the hint Of a twinkle in her eyes.
Seized by a sudden impulse, he had
Rsked her to drive with him, and they
had gone together to the movies in
liberty. The boy had frankly enjoyed
himself that night, while as for Mar
garat 1t became the event by which
al. other incidents of the summer were
measured
After that, they saw each other fire.
duentiN. but one night when Walter
had asked her to go with him to a
barn dance in one of the nelghborlng
hotels she had been forced to refuse
because of the stern necessity of help
Ing her mother with the supper dishes.
Ard he had been inclined to argue.
'I don't believe you want to 60"
he had said.
"But do Margafet's eyes had
begged for confidence, but Walter had
turned away,
"Ail right" he Had announced. "Tll
ask Miss Fischer"
Three days had passed since then,
and Flake had paid little attention to
his country friend, He was cOntin-
uously In the company Of her rival,
however
on Saturday evening, however, an
hour before the strawberry festival
was scheduled to be held in the village
church, Walter found Margaret Nc
ConnughtY sitting on the back porch
huillns berries,
"Arr toh going to the festival to-
night2" he asked.
''Tm going to have little festival
ali of my own" she answered. "There
are fifteen boxes to be hulled before
/ go to be1 tonight"
"But can't you just sneak away and
rCt DO them?" He did not understand
tina. Mrs. McConauGhty was accus,
toned to be Obeyed.
Bul before she was given a chance
t. answer another figure appeared al
tkt foot o. the steps. It was Margaret
Fischer
"Oh. hello, Wslterw She spoke with
apparent surprise, Just rs il she hat
net known that her most faithful fol
lower had been talking to Miss Nc
COnaughty for the past ten minutes
'WcG better start for the festlVs
sOOn.'
'I don't know whether I'll go o.
not Fol- some reason or other, h
did not seem especially pleased at th'
interruption.
"Oh, COME on; I've saved plac'
for you beside me in the wagon" Sh'
seized his hand playfully, and led hin
off hail reluctantly.
Hell be sitting there In the darl
with her" Margaret said to herself
"An1 then he can't see the paint an
powder on her face. She'll be al
dressed up in her Broadway tOgs, an
he won't give Thought to me sittin
here hullIng berries. 1 hate tn
things She took n red and rosy on
from the box and threw it vehement
into the darkness at the rear OF tn
house. It struck something with sOf
thud.
"Please don't fire at me- vote
pleaded.
HeI heart jumped as Walter Blak
appeared at the foot Of the steps.
81 didn't know you were there?
she laughed. "Wh0t are you doing !
the hack y0rd?"
"Just walking around
y aren't you going ~ lil6 lVSt''N'
She looked at him hopefully.
"Ycs.n Her hopes fell.
"With Margaret, l supposeT
eyes" ne answered soberly, "wit
Margaret"
She returned glOomily to her berrie
while he wached her silently. Ma
garet Fischer's voice fOuted TO the
from the front Of the house.