Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-04

between. believe u. and ! believe.
TOO. that he reason have so many
friends is that have kept out of mar
ried folks rows. But I'll do this
If you stay here couple of days,
keeping close TO the hired mans shack,
so no one gets wind you're here,
/ Tavy'll he ready. say about Thursday
evening, for me 20 have a little talk
with her"
The mans flesh seemed suddenly, TO
possess n skeleton. one of the many
wells OF gloom which shrouded his
features was lifted
THANK you. Aunt Marindy." His
voice was humbly grateful. Il haven't
much hope, but You can fetch her II
anyone can"
"Well, It's an exception TO my rule,
and I wouldn't make II except for You
me remembering how you helped me
when you were only a boy and was
stranger here, with himself sick and
dying. Now you GO out TO the shack
and don't lie awake worrying. Twont
he week till you are back home. rid
ing Thad on your back and taking
Tavy's bossing."
It was early dusk on Thursday when
she stopped her blackboard mt the cor
ner of the white farm nearest the
house and let Tink out.
"YOu stroll across lots" she directed.
ITS getting so dark she won't see
you. and you wait till I'm inside. Get
where YOU can hear. and when she
bursts out crying rush in and grab her.
I'm calculating. by the color Of her,
that YOU won't have 10 wait long"
Aunt Marindy tied her horse.
knocked and was admitted. Little
Thad was asleep on the bed in the
corner. Octavia white greeted her
dully-a Boadicea Of the plains with
mlkwhite skin over which the prai-
rie had no power. slumberOuS brown
eyes and n pile of red hair. She was
heavy-lldded and pale. ut hard-lipped
II declare, it's warm already re-
marked Aunt Marindy genially as she
mopped her face. II come 10 see II
Tink has posthole auger inns
fencing the north eighty
II don't know" answered Tavy. "If
he has-had-it will be out AZ the
barn. Wen 90 out and look"
Where is Tink?" asked Aunt Ma
rindy, with polite interest.
Tavy's neck stiffcncd and her smold-
ering eyes blazed.
81 don't know where he Is. bur |
know what he's done. He's left me
alone with my child, here ON this God
for; ken farm-deserted me -
"You don't say" marveled Aunt Ma
rindy.
"IIe has" reiterated Tavy. and
I'll show him :"
well, Well, And thought it was
all gossip. You never can tell what
devils these meek-looking men can
be-
Aunt Marindy gazed commiseratively
on the wife. whose chin wavered.
81 don't see how YOU stood il "a
long" She went on. with vast sympa-
thy. Hes scoundrel and orto he in
the pcn-treatns YOU so just because
he don't care for YOU any more ~
ooh. oh, ohw Tavy screamed hys.
tcrically. with upraised hands while
tears ran down ncT lact.
How dare your she shrilled
"How dare YOU say such things about
the best man in the world It was AL
my fault and he's gone-he's gone'
There was rush OF feet and Tinb
burst into The room. white and eYcit
ed
Tavy projected herself violently into
his outstretched arms
Darling" She sohhed, yehementll
and dramatically. she is telling lies
on YOU Oh. Tink. don't you love me
any more?"
, Harder aud harder every minute
you angel, You sweet little child -
"She-she said you'd orto be in the
pen :" eobbed Tavy stormiy. AND
that you dllut care for me any more
Mean Old backbiter."
There. there. little one" soolheC
Tink. "She didn't mean TO hurt you'
feeling, -aho lust didn't know how
, sensitive you are!"
Aunt Marindy shifted. Then She rose
and drawlcd
~ guess its time for me to be get
:, ting back"
! II know YOU meant il for the Ncst
Aunt Marindy" There WAS both re-
prnach and magnanimity i'm the huS
bands micn as he turned his head
"but YOU should have realized how del
=, icatc her nerves are"
. she traduccd YOU" Missed Tavy
+ without looking around II shall new
@ or forgive her."
g Aunt Murindy drove home and IN
I silence turned her horse over &c i'm
( Inside. Iosephus the cIerica-IoOkins
4 maltese eat. sat on the broad window
y SILL regarding her with mild curiosity
She answered his inquiring look.
t. well, | made an exception. and
Z got Just what was coming 10 ne 10
!. sephuS I've been in Il pair Of shears
. for the first tlme-and listen II is
the last time. too. for Marindy Ellen
p Hart :"
7 Then i'm voice of Sclf-congratula
: ton. but fetched her. anyway. Tinb
. knows that knoy she knows il. That's
one satisfaction -
g. Wild Horses Worth Little.
= In Queensland "brumbies" (wilC
r horses) are literally not worth tn,
% catching. as M auction sales they real