The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-01-17

for her arms were too full Of Flopii
and roses and candy and sweet peas
but she kept noddine to them in a way
that showed them how much she
thanked them for being sorry she was
going and made II clear that she was
sorry too and loved them all.
"Goodbyr' she meant
Faster she glided. The engine passed
from sight round a curve beyond q
culvert. but for a moment longer they
could see the little figure upon the
steps. and TO the very last glimpse
they had OF her the small. golden head
was still nodding "Goodbyr' Then
those steps wherein she stood passed
In their turn beneath the culvert. and
they saw her no more.
Lola Pratt was gonel
Wet eyed. her young hostess Of the
long summer turned away and STUN.
bled against william why, Willie
Baxterl" she cried. blinking at him.
The last car Of the train had round.
ed the curve and disappeared. but vii.
liam was still waving farewell, not
with his handkerchief, but with q sym
metrical one pound parcel. wrapped In
white tissue paper. girdled with blue
ribbon.
"Never mind" said May Parcher.
Lets all walk uptown together and
talk about her on the way, and well
go by the express Office, and you can
send your candy TO her by express.
Willie"
mer long. from morning until late at
night. had resounded with the voices
OF young people echoing their songs.
murmurous with their theories Of love
or vibrating with their glee. sometimes
shaking all over during their more
boisterous moods-in that house. now
comparatively so vacant, the propIi-
etor stood and breathed deep breaths.
"Hah!" he breathed generously. He
gave himself several resounding slaps
Upon the chest, then went out to the
porch and sat in a rocking chair near
his wife. He spread himself out ex-
pansively. "My glory" he said. II be-
lieve I'll take of my coat! I haven't
had my coat of outside OF my own
room ali summer. | believe I'll take a
vacation! by George. believe I'll
stay home this afternoonl'
That's nice" said Mrs. r'archer.
Hair he said MY glory. I believe
I'll take on my shoesr
And. meeting NO objection. he pro-
ceeded to carry out this plan.
"Hah-ahr' he said and placed his
stocEinged feet upon the railing. where
number Of vines. running upon
strings. made a screen between the
porch and the street He III a large
cigar well. WELL" he said. that
tastes good II this keeps on III be
In as good shape as | was last spring
before you know it, Leaning far back
in the rocking chair his hands behind
his head, he smoked with fervor, but
suddenly he jumped I'm way which
showed that his nerves were far from
normal. His feet came TO the floor
with a thump. he jerked the cigar out
Of his mouth and turned face OF con
sleTIdtlon upon niS VIE
Whats the matterT'
Suppose" said Mr. Parcher huskily
suppose she missed her train
Mrs. Parcher shook her head.
Think notI" he said Frightening 81
ordered the livery stable to have a
carriage here I'm lots of time"
"They did" said Mrs. Parcher Sc
verely; about 81 worth"
well. don't mind that" he return
ed. putting his feet up again. After
oil. she was a mighty fine little girl I'm
her way. The only trouble with me
was that crowd Of boys Having to
listen to them liked to kill me. and |
believe II she'd stayed just one more
day I'd been a goner!"
"Mr Parcherr' youthful voice re-
neated
Tie rose and, separating two Of the
vines which screened the end Of the
porch from the street, looked out. Two
small maidens had paused upon the
sidewalk and were peering over the
picket fence.
"Mr Parcher." said Jane as soon as
his head appeared between the vines
mir. Parcher. Miss Pratt's gone. She's
gone away on the cars
"You think sof'' he asked gravely.
I'VE saw her" said Jane. "Rannie
an | were there. Willie was goin' to
chase us. guess. but we went In the
baggage room behind trunks. an we
saw her go. She got on the cars, an II
went with her In IT, Honest. she's gone
away, Mr.. Parcher."
Before speaking Mr. Parcher took a
long look at this telepathic child. In
his fond eyes she was a marvel and a
darling.
"Well, thank you. Jane" he said.
Jane. however. had turned her head
and was staring at the corner, which
was out OF his sight.
"Oo-oo-oohr' she murmured.
whats the trouble. Janef"
"Williew she said. Its Willie an
that Joe Bullitt an Johnnie Watson
an Mr.. Wallace Banks. They're with
Miss May Parcher. They're comm
right herer'
Mr. Parcher gave forth a low moan
and turned pathetically TO his wife,
hut she cheered him with a laugh.
h..