Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-12-31
ANASTACIA
BY PAULA PHILLIPS.
sesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssees

was SO old fashioned looking. II WAS
the time wien Aunt Lyda's little
Sociul club had conceived the idea CT
an entertainment in the village hail.
TIE proceeds TO 20 for local charity.
Aunt Lydia had friend over In Farm
town who had heard of the entertain
or through another friend out IN the
country aud she recommended the
woman as having given fine pro
gram in their school house,
Aunt Lydia grasped at the sugges-
ton and wrote the Farmtown lady TO
send along her amusing friend, ex-
lenses paid. We engaged the best
vacant room for her in ClOvertield
i'm, and went over to decorate the
village hail. Aunt Lydia wanted
things done in good style 50 she went
to Farmtown for their rented out"
orchestra. There was so little doing
In Cl0Vertield that we were all excited
over this new venture, and early on
the eventful morning we drove in the
Zig car TO meet Aunt Lydias guests
coming by train from the nearby
city. Annette and | anticipated the
entertainer as we drove along.
she will wear a gorgeous evening
gown" said Annette land recite Cur
few shall not ring tonight"
Wrong" contradicted. Village
people of present date are up TO the
minute in every way, and critical at
That" But Annette was right. When
Miss Anastacia HawlinS entered the
inn dining room. we gasped for
breath even the men stared in aston
ishment. She looked exactly like your
grandmother's picture, if your grand
mother was not very well to do.
Well, it wasn't the curfew exactly,
neither was Miss Hawlns amusing :;
in fact, | think her talk was on the
improving" order, but we laughed
secretly as we just looked at her, and
came home In great spirits.
was putting out the light for the
night when tap sounded at my door,
and | opened to find Anastacia Haw-
Inns. funnler than ever in queer
flannel dressing gown, with her hair
skewed all over her head in wires,
obtained no doubt the moth-eaten eff
She wondered timidly, If / could
loan her a needle and thread, her silk
wrap had ripped and she had no thread
with her to mend 1t. She was leaving
early in the morning.
She went into little raptures Of de-
light over the monogramed things on
my bureau. and was so child-like in
her pleasure, that l wished I might
offer her some pretty thing as a gift.
But that was out of the question
Miss Anastacia was as proud as
shabby, and withdrew with a grateful
"thank you" for the long threaded
needle. never saw her again. We
were afraid that lovely Cloverfield
inn would be closed to us about this
time. because of the impossibility to
obtain help, but young country lad
wandering in from some farm, saved
the day. He wanted work, he said
and peter" proved to be universally
useful.
We girls, and the boys too, grew fond
of big stupid Peter who was at once
so dense and so willing. There was
not q thing In the wide world he would
not have attempted for my sake
Perhaps, because | had given the
poor boy kind words, while others
laughed at his blunders, or perhaps
because something real deep and sorry
stirred my heart whenever his startled
eyes gaZed at me. Billy Towne grew
actually jealous and the girls thought
day, after Peter had spent much time
washing windows in the upper hall.
first this guest then that became
aware of certain missing articles of
personal jewelry; l, upon nervous ex-
animation found that my diamond ring
I though | was pale with fear, | didn't
report the loss, but Just went out to
the garage and told Peter. Told him
all that the ring meant to me- Told
him also how terribly sorry felt
for q poor wretch who could throw
away his or her life and all that life
meant for bits of gold and stones and
a little wicked money. Can you be-
lieve It? Peter was crying, and In two
minutes he had confessed to the theft
and had placed his spOils in my
hands.
Now" he said recklessly, "have me
locked up If you want to. What do |
carer"
There sat with the cleaning stones
in the lap of my Bingham dress.
peter" | said firmly "ten me all
about IT," and he did. He had been
raised that way" that was all; taught
10 steal from his cradle. And Peter
was seldom suspected, his apparent
stupidity saved him.
1--WE usually work the summer
places" he explained doggedly, 1.-The
rooms are so easy to reach and folks
always have jewelry with them"
"We?" ! asked. Peter nodded dumb
ly.
you mustn't tell this part" he said