The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1919-10-16
NEIGHBORS
BY ANNIE 4. CURTIS.


to tell" replied his wife. sit isn't the
city shall miss, its the people. They
viii all be different, Of course"
"Yes. suppose so. 1 remember
how dissatisfied Ruth was when she
and George went out West"
Joe's sister, Ruth, was frankly dis
liked by her stster-in-law. Maud had
come nearer quarreling with her than
any other member OF her husbands
family. The CHASING OF her slster-in-
laws case with her own raised a spir-
It OF opposition within her.
''If he thinks I'm like Ruth he'll find
I'm not"
She quickly thought Of the reasons
for moving to the quiet country place.
They had been such sound reasons,
too. Several times the doctor had adj
vised fresh country air for her.
And just because I saw q woman
In funny sunbonnet while was out
there l am stopping II all. won't be
so foolish. I'll make the best Of 1t
anyway"
Joe still stood absently tapping the
window pane. Maud touched him on
the arm saying, I'm going to like it.
Joe. I'll get acquainted with every
neighbor and III make them like me-"
His face grew lighter as he looked
at her. Good for you, Maud. When
we take the car out 1t will be better
for you"
"oh, yes, TIL take you down to work
every morning and call for you every
night. I'll give everyone round .
spin"
Wen have parties and invite ali OF
our old friends out" said Joe.
and don't forget the new ones
They'll have to come to our parties
In due time the car arrived. Jos
had fixed part of the barn for
garage. Every morning Maud toob
him to work.
why don't you go for a ride morn
ings, Maudf" he asked.
I'm afraid I'll miss someone whs
calls to see me-"
II never thought OF that. Hasn't
anyone called yet7'
"No one yet" she said.
He tried to console her by sayins
that everyone was busy at that time
OF year. But the busy time passed
and no one called. Maud Burrows,
lost her pink cheeks and the wistfu
look was always In her eyes. Mr.
Burrowes asked their family doctor
to come down TO spend the day. "Jusi
look her over without her getting sus
picious Doe" said Joe.
IL thought the country would agree
with her. There's lots Of company
round here isn't there?"
THAT is the trouble. She likes com
pany and has always had lots of 1t.
can't understand why people don't
call"
Summer was nearly gone when Joe
again thought OF the doctor.
"T'll get him down to see II she's i'm.
proved, and IL she hasn't wen "a
straight back to the city. She was
happy there"
The doctor called again. Maud was
very pleased to see him. but did not
go from place to place. bidding him ia
follow her
'This will never do" the doctor
said to himself. "She's lost interest
and lost her courage"
I'm going to give up this place and
go back to the city" cried Joe ex.
cltedly.
81 don't think that will do" re.
piled the doctor.
"Why, why notf" inquired Joe.
Because Maud is not strong enough.
You must make her take an interest
in things"
"How can II II people won't be
friendly l can't make Them" replied
Joe, very much puzzled.
swell. do something. You must
think of something. boy" said the doc
tor. as he boarded the train.
A day later Joe complained OF not
feeling well, "Oh, hate to go to work,
but / suppose must" he said. An
hour later he came back home. Maud
cried out at sight of him. His face was
swollen and red. "Oh, what is the
matter. JoeT'
"l'm sick. guess I'll lie down for a
while"
"I'li get a doctor" said Maud.
'SThere is one at the village"
II won't see him. II you get anyone
call our old doctor. There's q tele-
phone at the next house,
IN 60
who had never called on her. She
tapped at the door and a woman ap-
peared. May / use your telephoner
Surely"
''Is this DR.. Jonesf Come right out
10 the house. Joe is sick. On, can't
you come before night I'm all alone"
When she finished talking with the
doctor the woman touched her arm.
saying. "You are all alone. I'll go right
back with you"
Maud told her the story OF her lone
illness. I'VE thought you did not want
us to call. Then we-hesitated. One
OF the neighbors heard you make fun
OF Miss Fields sunbonnet and she 10
the dearest woman in the world"
''Tm SO sorry. but It's all right now.
isn't itT' sobbed Maud,
Joe wished to see the doctor alone.
whats up JoeP asked the doctor.
Joe answered In whisper, II put
poison Ivy on my face. 1 knew they
would come In sickness and 1t worked.
They have been coming all day. But
fix me up, Doc. I must go back to
v.orl -