Middletown transcript., 1919-08-30

"Well, I've advised a lot Of folks"
she began again, "but I heard once
that man and wife are like pair Of
at each other all the
time, and hitting everything that comes
between. I believe it, and believe,
too, that the reason have so many
friends is thatI have kept out of mar
ried folks rows. But I'll do this
if you stay here a couple of days,
keeping close to the hired mans shack.
so no one gets wind you're here.
Tavy'll be ready, say about Thursday
evening, for me to have a little talk
with her."
The mans flesh seemed, suddenly. to
possess a skeleton. One Of the many
wells of gloom which shrouded his
features was lifted.
THANK you, Aunt Marindy." His
voice was humbly grateful. II haven't
much hope, but you can fetch her If
anyone can"
"Well, it's an exception to my rule,
and wouldn't make it except for you
me remembering how you helped me
when you were only boy and was
stranger here, with himself sick and
dying. Now you 60 out to the shack
and don't lie awake worrying. Twon't
be 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 at the cor
ner of the White farm nearest the
house and let Tink out.
"You stroll across lots" she directed.
TITS 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 to 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
milk-white skin over which the prai-
RE had no power. slumberous brown
eyes and pile Of red hair. She was
heavy-lidded and pale. out hard-fipped.
II declare, it's warm already" re-
marked Aunt Marindy genially, as she
mopped her face. Il come to see If
Tink has a posthole auger. Jim's
fencing the north eighty"
II don't know" answered Tavy. 1T
he has-had-it will be out at the
barn. Wen go out and look"
-aWhere is Tink?'' asked Aunt Ma
rindy, with polite interest.
Tavy's neck stiffened and her smold-
ering eyes blazed.
II don't know where he is, but I
know what he's done. He's left me
alone with my child. here on this Cod
forsaken farm-deserted me"
"You don't say!" marveled Aunt Ma
rindy.
"He hast" reiterated Tavy. "And
I'll show him.
swell! 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.
Il don't see how you stood it so
long," she went on, with vast sympa-
thy. Hes scoundrel and orto be in
the penetrating you so just because
he don't care for you any more!'
"Oh, oh, OH" Tavy screamed hys-
terically, with appraised hands, while
tears ran down her face.
"How dare you!" she shrilled.
"How dare you say such things about
the best man in the world. It was all
my fault, and he's gone-he's gone!"
There was q rush of feet and Tink
burst into the room, white and excit-
ed.
Tavy projected herself violently into
his outstretched arms.
Darling" she sobbed, vehemently
and dramatically. "She is telling lies
on youi Oh, Tink. don't you love me
any more?
Harder and harder every minute,
you angel! You sweet little child"
"She-she said you'd Orto be in the
pen!" sobbed Tavy stormily. "And
that you didn't care for me any more.
Mean old backbiter!"
There, there. little one" soothed
Tink. "She didn't mean to hurt your
feelings-she just didn't know how
sensitive you are!"
Aunt Marindy shifted. Then she rose
and drawled.
II guess it's time for me to be get
ting back"
Aunt Marindy." There was both re-
proach and magnanimity in the hus-
bands rf1ien as he turned his head,
"but you should have realized how del
icate her nerves are"
"She traduced you!" Kissed Tavy,
without looking around. Il shall nev-
er forgive her!"
Aunt NIarindy drove home. and In
silence turned her horse over to Jim.
Inside, Josephus, the clerical-loolling
maltese cat, sat on the broad window.
sill, regarding her with mild curiosity.
She answered his inquiring look.
"Well. I made an exception. and l |
;ot just what was coming to me, Jo-
sephus. I've been in a pair of shears |
for the first time-and. listen! It is
the last time, toe, for Marindy Ellen |
Hart!"
Then, in a voice Of self-congratula-
ton, 'but fetched her, anyway. Tink |
that know she knows it. That's