The Jasper news., 1919-01-23

show her where my watermelon had
lain. At the moment / couldn't think
of anything else to show her. AS we
walked along l observed that her feet
were in dainty shiny button-shoes.
Suddenly began to be ashamed Of
my feet that were Drowned by the
sunlight and scratched by the briers.
The absent watermelon didn't seem to
interest her.
Lets play house In the grove" said
she, and showed me how to build q
house by laying rows of stones with
an opening for door.
'Now you be my husband" said
she.
Oddly enough l had heard Of hus-
bands but had only a shadowy notion
Of what they were. knew that there
was none in our house.
"What's that?" l asked.
She laughed and answered: Some
body that girl is married to-"
You mean fatherT
"Yes."
"Once / had father" l boasted.
"Well, we'll play we're married and
that you have just got home from a
journey. You go out In the woods
and then you come home and I'll
meet you at the door,"
l did as she bade me but 1 was not
glad enough to see her.
You must kiss me-" she prompted
in whisper.
/ kissed her very swiftly and GIN
gerly-like one picking up a hot coal
and she caught me in her arms
and kissed me three times while her
soft hair threw its golden veil over
our faces.
"Oh, Pm so glad to see you," she
said as she drew away from me and
shook back her hair.
"Gollyl this is fun !" / said.
Nov go to sleep and I'll tell you
a story" said she.
Then she told pretty tales of fair
les and Of grand ladies and noble gen.
tlemen who wore gold coats and
swords and diamonds and silks, and
said wonderful words in such a won
derful way. l dare say 1t prospered
all the better in my ears because of
the mystery by which its meanings
were partly hidden. / had many
questions to ask and she told me what
were fairies and silks and diamonds
and grand ladies' and noble gentlemen.
We sat down to one of our familiar
dinners of salt pork and milk gravy
and apple pie now enriched by sweet
pickles and preserves and frosted
cake.
A query had entered my mind and
soon after we had begun eating
asked:
Aunt Deel, what is the difference
between a boy and girlT
There was little silence In which
my aunt drew in her breath and ex-
claimed, "W'y!" and turned very red
and covered her face with her nap
kin. Uncle Peabody laughed so loud
ly that the chickens began to cackle.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dunkelberg also covered
their faces. Aunt Deel rose and went
to the stove and showed the teapot
along, exclaiming:
Goodness gracious sakes alivew
The tea stopped over on the stove.
Uncle Peabody laughed louder and
Mr. Dunkelberg's face was purple.
Shep came running into the house
just as I ran out of 1t. had made
up my mind that / had done some
thing worse than tipping over what
not. Thoroughly frightened fed and
took refuge behind the ash-house,
where Sally found me. I knew Of
one thing would never do again. She
coaxed me into the grove where we
had another play spell.
/ needed just that kind of thing,
and what a time 1t was for mel A
pleasant sadness comes when I think
Of that day-it was so long ago. AS
the Dunkelbergs left US / stood look
ing down the road ON which they
were disappearing. That evening my
ears caught q note Of sadness In the
voice of the katydids, and memory
began to play Its part with me. Best
of all / remembered the kisses and
the bright blue eyes and the soft curly
hair with the smell of roses In 1t. -
CHAPTER II.