Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-05-20

There was hint of snow in the air |
and the sky was dark with clouds as
Fred Wilton hurriedly stepped |
around the corner and into the side
street that evening in January. Olive |
Gays home was on the corner and he |
mad promised to call on her and help |
her take some goodies to Aunt Deb |
by as She was called by the people
OF the neighborhood. Aunt Debby
lived alone in small cottage set back
from the street, and the young people
enjoyed going to see her as much as
she enjoyed having them come. for
wonderful indeed were the stories with
which she entertained them-stories
of time long past. and of which she
usually was the heroine.
Fred fastened along, thinking 1t
would be best to take his own bundles
first and then return to call for Olive.
AS that meant that Aunt Debby was
either i'll or very tired and had gone
to bed he stepped into the little porch
to place the bundles in large box,
which had been so warmly interlined
ly to freeze during the night.
AS he stopped in the darkness to
open the cover of the box, some one
suddenly attempted to rise, and there
was moment Of confusion: and
squeals, grunts and the dropping to
the floor of heavy parcels could be
heard. A frightened woman gasped,
E'-oI hat
had tired of waiting for him, and had
| started on ahead.
| Anticipating wild scream, he said
quickly: Don't be frightened. dear.
It's only Fred" and attempted to
steady her by passing his arm around
her slender waist; but to his surprise
| his arm did not stop as soon as he ex-
pected it to, but kept travelling on, for
! the waist was a very large one.
There would certainly be a scream
now, he thought. and poor Aunt Debby
would be awakened, and her nerves
would be upset for the rest of the
night; so placing his hand over the
mouth of the stout lady, he propelled
her to the street.
His captive was Sally Eaton, a girl
who dearly loved a joke. For some
time she had been making odd, chol-
ing sounds. but ne knew she was shak-
ing with laughter. and if he removed
his hand now her laughter could be
heard for distance. or else he'd
get large piece of Sally's mind.
Neither of these things happened,
however, as she only laughed softly
now and then. after he explained why
he had done as he did. But I'm Won
dering," she chuckled, "did you think
at first that it was I you met on he
porch?" 81 wasn't sure who it was. "
he answered tactfully. hut his face
burned When she left him at the
corner she called back softly and
mockingy: "Of course. you won't tell
olive" And Olive, waiting inpatient
ly on the back porch with her parcels
beside her saw them, and heard Sally's
words Without answering. Fred ran
hastily up the front steps and rang the
bell and Olive passed through the
house to the front door and met him.
and together they started to go to Aunt
, Debby's cottage.
Olive spoke seldom as they passed
!, along, and answered Fred's comments
shortly. After while she asked
"Why We're you so late?" And he an
swered truthfully enough: 81 took my
parcels first, so l could help you with
yours" but he did not mention Sal
Tvs name After that she was more
quiet even, and the return from the
cottage was made almost In silence
for Fred's thoughts also We're interest
ing. Sally called the next day. ant
with the thought uppermost of paying
! Fred for treating her so unceremoni
: ousy. she changed the story little IL
many ways, and gave Olive the i'm
: preston that Fred and she had walked
u to the cottage together.
;. Mischief-lovng Sally went ava!
= smiling, but there was an angr.
: sparkle in olives eyes. and when Fer
called that evening she was not a
!" home The same thing happened man
= evenings, and then Fred stopped call
= ing.
~ alteI tliitt, Sot A'N'i - 49,
ing; and, relentng. told Olive the tru
= story 81 think he thought at frs
that it was YOU he met on the porch,
she said with a reminiscent giggle.
That evening. with her wraps OF
q ready for walk. Olive watched frol
!, the window of the unlighted Sittin
"A room, and when she saw Fred paSSin
- she ran down the steps and, much
,r his surprise, greeted him with tn
,v warm smile to which he had been a
to customed until of late
~ With blush and a laugh she sale
r. "Good evening, Fred; cold weathe
ne isn't it?"
he A warming glow stole over him as
grasped her hands. "For the last tv
weeks it has been almost cold enoue
Id to freeze fellows heart" he grumbl,
Ill ruefully, "and the few words you ha
spoken to me have been so like icicl
that they have chilled me through, b
uo,,, @h,% x,nu oro smiling AGAIN I mi