The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-07-29
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NEIGHBORS
BY LoTTIE W. SIMMONS.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CO. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
There! need raisins for this pud-
ding and, come to think, I'm all out"
declared Myra Higgins in vexed tone
as she vigorously stirred the contents
OF huge yellow bowl.
Jake Higgins looked up from the
newspaper he was reading.
I'll 60 over to Julia's and borrow
a cupful." he offered.
A dull red stained Myra's cheeks.
She glanced angrily at the cookbook
ing mlddle-aged man who had spoken,
and a great desire came over her to
shake him.
You stay away from Julia's." she
snapped. You 60 there too much al
ready. Don't you know, Jake. the
whole town is talking about you and
Julia MARTINI"
"Oh. Lord Myra, don't begin that"
replied Jake.
Occasionally mimicked Myra.
Jake, you make me sick You've
been in there twice this morning, al
ready. How many times yesterday,
and the day before, and the day before
that? Why don't you pack your trunk
and move over? As for Tom Martin,
he hasn't the gumption of a sick chick
en-. He start something You could
lug his wife off under his very eyes
and he'd be as resigned as a dead
lamb. NeghbOrs, indeed How about
Laura Pickett? Called on her latelyf
She's a neighbor"
Look here." blazed Jake, you
know as we'll as l that stopped call
ing on Laura 20 years ago"
81 know you did" was the hot re-
tort, "and it's high time now that you
paid her call Here" grabbing up
cup, you take this and ask Laura
to let me have a cupful of raisins till
Wednesday,"
"Well. I guess mott" exploded Jake,
jumping TO his feet and thrusting out
his stubborn chin.
"All right, Jake Higgins" Myras
voice dropped to zero. Just because
Tn your sister I've stayed here and
kept house for you-stayed when you
know I've almost died for the city ard
the work | wanted to do there. But
at last I'm going-that is, unless you
want TO run over to Laura's and bring
me a cupful of raisins"
"D-w Jake gritted between his
teeth; and as he Strengthened his neck
tie he was duly conscious of the fact
that his safety razor had done good
work that morning. the only trace Of
n strong beard being a blush shade
about his square chin. A queer little
sensation began to play about his
heart. Thoughts flew thick and fast.
Fate was leading him back to Laura !!
He recalled what a sweet little thing
she had heen-long yellow curls,
cheeks as red as the bright side Of an
astrachan apple, big eyes and a dimple
brought often into play by means Of
crinkly little smile. Let's see
Laura would be forty in June. Lord !!
How time did fly!
As usual it was n foolish thing they
| nuu QudIItlcu OVER
Nobody saw the hand Of fate when
Tom Martin and his wife came back
after years of wandering and rented
the Bromley place.
They had all been playmates togeth-
er, Tom and Julia, Jake and Laura,
and Myra
At sight of Jake's retreating back
Myra's face relaxed and she smiled.
A couple Of moments later Julia
Martin appeared at the back door.
My clothesline is caught, Myra. l
can't get 1t either one way or the 9TH
er. I thought maybe Jake"
"He isn't here" interrupted Myra
coldly, "but come in; want to ask
you something. Why don't you tell
Jake to keep away from your house?
Do you realize that he is costing you
your good reputaton?"
Julia eyed her friend very serenely
for a guilty woman.
What the Gosslps say can't do me
eny real harm. Myra," she replied gent
ly. "We'll soon be leaving-Tom can't
stay in one place long, you know, but
Laura will be here all her life, and
Jake-here In this little town where
they were born-and they might as
we'll be happy. And you, Myra, you
want your chance, don't you? If you
are the old Myra, with the old am
billions, you certainly do"
Myra was puzzled.
81 don't know what you are driving
at" she said.
"What do you suppose Jake and
talk about when he comes in?" she
asked with a bright smile. "Tll tell
you-one topic always-Laura. That's
why he comes. He loves her, OF
course-he's always loved her, and he
likes to talk about her, or hear me
talk, I should say. Haven't l almost
worn out the English language raving
about her yellow hair. her crinkly
smile, her dlmple, her superiority, her
tender heart, her goodness, and still
that man isn't satisfied? It's like pour
ing water into a jug with a hole in It
| And Myra can't Won fOreSee the re-