The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-12-26
Autumn
Leaves
A Halloween Story
GN@
BY FRANCES B. LINSKY
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

Il
patient to be off and try its speed
along the smooth country roads, while
| down the pathway from the cottage
| came It's owner, her usually merry face
married by a frown, which only deep
ened as she read and reread the let
ter in her hand. Then, crushing 1t an
| grily into her pocket, she climbed into
the little gray roadster and slammed
| the door after her with bang. She
| threw out the clutch with unnecessary
| force, and the little car, as If in pro-
test at such unusual treatment, bound
ed forward with a jerk that nearly
bounced Eve out of her seat.
However, no one could long with
stand the beauty of the perfect Octo-
Der day, and as they sped along the
frown was gradually chased away and
! Just the least suggestion of pout was
left In It's place.
Eve stopped the machine for a mo-
ment under the friendly shade of an
| old maple and once more fished the
letter out of her pocket.
| IF Tom Murdoch isn't the most ex-
| asperating of brothers," she stormed
to herself as she read; "the idea of
his keeping me waiting until the very
| last minute, and then letting me know
that he can't get home in time to take
me to the Halloween party tonight.
Business, of course; that's always
mans excuse. and" reading on, "he
may possibly get home very late to-
night, and If he does he will call for
me at the Campbells'-and he's awful
ly sorry that l shall have to go alone.
Much good that does me-" muttered
Eve to herself.
She turned the page, and uncon-
scously a tender light came into the
| girls eyes as she read:
81 know you will be glad, Eve, when
tell you that while l was In the
neighborhood I went over to the sui
phur baths to see Adam Campbell.
| Well, sis, the baths and the treatments
and the doctors have all done their
best for him, but the folks at home
must not hope for too much. You re-
member he said he would try the cure
for six months, whether for veal or
for woe, but terrible fall such as
Adam had can do lot Of harm, and
when a fellow hasn't walked for two
years-why, he needs a lot of cur
Ing"
Ewes face was very thoughtful as
she started the little gray car again.
"Poor Adam" she said to herself,
''pm afraid his case Is hopeless. Well,
We'll all have to be twice as nice to
him when he comes home, to make up
to him for his great disappointment.
"But there" giving herself little
shake, 81 mustn't let thinking of Adam
spoil the fun of getting ready for to-
night. It's good thing that the party
is at his house, and that I knew the
Campbells so we'll that I shan't mind
having to arrive without an escort"
The "toot, toot," of her horn brought
Grace Campbell and her Aunt Jane
hurrying out to greet her, and many
smothered laugh and squeal of de-
light issued forth as the two girls
delved into the tonneau of the little
gray roadster and came forth loaded
with jack-o' Lanterns. big pumpkins
followed out for other mysterious pur-
poses, several brooms and large
black witch.
"Oh Eve, you did n wonderful job"
cried Grace, excltedly. "That witch
lady certainly looks like real
'spook.'" The two girls vanished into
the house to put the finishing touches
to the decorations for the evening.
The afternoon sped away and once
more Eve climbed into the little car.
~ shall have to come back alone"
she announced nonchalantly, as she
prepared to start. "Tom sent me u
special this morning, saying that he
wouldn't be able to get home tonight,
that Is, not until very late. It's too
bad" she added, as she noted the look
of keen disappointment that flashed
into Grace's face at her words.
eyes, II is too bad" agreed Grace,
trying to seem unconcerned, "and not
to have Adam here, either. Poor fell
low, had hoped he'd be home all well
long before this"
Eve sped away and in a few hours
was back again Mt the Campbell home,
oil ready for the fun.
1--WE got another game to play"
whispered Grace in great excitement,
as Eve took off her things. "It's one
Adam and | used TO play when we
were youngsters and | had forgotten
all about 1t until Aunt Jane reminded
| me. It's to be secret, even from
you" And she rushed away to vel
come her guests, who were all clamor-
Ing for attention at once.
They were n merry group, noisy
and lighthearted, and Shrek after
shrek of laughter followed each ut
tempt to walk upstairs backward with
out dropping the apple off ones head,
or to sail ones fraIl bark around the
washtub without coming to grief.
| For two hours the fun waxed fast
and furious, and then the gay spirits
of even the rlngleaders seemed to flag.
Here was where Aunt Jane stepped
into the breach.
| Outdoors, all of you" she COM
manded laughingly, "and SIT down on
the back steps and draw lots" she
handed some strips of paper to Grace.
well, who drew the longest strlpY'
demanded Aunt Jane, coming out after
few moments and breaking the 81.
lence.
/ Eve was FIRST to hold IN her hand.