The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1918-12-05
Autumn
Leaves
A Halloween Story
~0
Copyright. 1918. by Mcclure Nswspapse
SYndicatA.l
BY FRANCES q. LINsKY


Copyright, 1915, by Mcclure Nswspapsr
syndicats)
The little gray motor stood hum
ming merrily at the gate, as II the
glorious fall weather had made 1t i'm
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 q bang. She
threw out the clutch with unnecessary
force, and the little car, as IL in pro-
test at such unusual treatment, bound
ed forward with a jerk that nearly
bounced Eve out Of her seat.
However. no n 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 a pout was
left in its 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
a 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
~ sorry that I shall have to 60 alone.
Much good that does me-" muttered
Eve to herself.
She turned the page, and uncon-
sciously a tender light came into the
girls eyes as she read:
II know you will be glad, Eve, when
I 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 a terrible fall such as
Adam had a do a 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.
"Pocr ADAM" she said to herself,
"Tm afraid his cas- is hopeless. Well,
we'll all have to be twice as nice to
him when he comes home, to make up
to hin, for his great disappointment.
"But there!' giving herself a little
shake. Il mustn't let thinking of Adam
spoil tn" fun of getting ready for to-
night. It's a good thing that the party
II ct his house, and that I knew the
Campbells 50 weN that I shan't mind
having to arrive without an escort"
The "toot, toot." of her horn brought
Grace Campbell and her Aunt Jane
hur-y;ng out to greet her. and many
a smothered laugh and squeal Of de-
light issued forth as the two girls
delvei 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 q large
black witch. ID.
ooh, Eve. you did a wonderful job"
cried Grace. excitedly. THAT witch
lady certainly looks like a 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.
II shall have to come back alone"
she announced nonchalantlv, as she
prepared to start. 'Tom sent me q
special this morning. saying that he
wen'dn't he able to get home tonight,
that Is. not until very late. It's too
bad" she added. as she 1oted the look
of keen disappointment that flashed
int" Grace's face at her words.
eyes. it is too bad" agreed Grace,
trying II seem un%concerned, land moi
to have Adam here, either. Poor fel.
low, l had hoped he'd he home all well
long before this" M
Eve sped away and in a few hours
was back again at the Campbell home
all ready for the. fun.
"I've got another game to play
whispered Grace In great excitement
MS Eve took of her things. "It's one
Adam and I used to play when w
were youngsters. and I had forgotten
all about It until Aunt Jane reminded
me. It's to be a secret, ever from
you" And she rushed away to wei
come her guests. who were all clamor
ing for attention at once.
They were a merry group. noisy
and hgf.hearted.. and shrek aftel
shrek of laughter followed each at
tempt t. walk upstairs backward with
o1,t dxAppfnO tho onulo Off Ono,c hood