The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-06-03
NEIGHBORS
BY LoTTlE w. SIMMONS.
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"Therel i need ralsins for this puC
ding and, come to think, I'm all out.
declared Myra Higgins in a yexed ton
as she vigorously stirred the content
OF huge yellow bowl.
Jake Higgins looked up from tn
newspaper he was reading.
IN 90 over to Julla's and borrow
cupful," he offered
a duh red stained Myras cheeks
She glanced angrily at the good-look
ing mlddle-aged man who had spoken
and a great desire came over her "a
shake him.
You stay away from Jullas," she
snapped. you go there too much al-
ready. Don't you know, Jake, the
whole town is talking about you and
julia MARTINI"
on Lord Myra, don't begin that"
replied Jake.
Occasionally mlmlcked 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
thnt2 Why don't you pack your trunk
and move over? Az 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
ana he'd be as resigned as dead
lamb. Neighbors, indeed How about
Laura Pickett? Called on her lately?
She's neighbor."
Look herer blazed Jake, "you
know as well as that ] stopped cali
ing on Laura 90 years ago"
81 know you did" was the hot re-
tort, "and It's high time now that you
paid her a call Here grabbing up
a cup, you take this and ask Laura
10 let me have a cupfu Of ralslns til
Wednesday,"
"Well. | guess not !" exploded Jake,
jumping to his feet and thrustng out
his stubborn chin.
IAN right, Jake Higgins" Myras
voice dropped to zero. "Just because
I'm your sister I've stayed here and
kept house for you-stayed when you
know I've almost died for the city and
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" Jake gritted between his
teeth and rs he straightened his neck
tie he was duly conscious of the fact
that his safety razor had done good
work that morning, the only trace Of
a strong beard being blush shade
about his square chin. A queer little
began to play about his
leart Thoughts flew thick and fast
Fate was leading him back to Laura
He recalled what a sweet little thing
ihe had been-long yellow curs,
.heeks as red as the bright side of an
lstrachan apple, big eyes and dlmple
brought often into play by means Of
crinkly little smile. Let's Sec
aura would be forty in June. LORD
How time did fly
AS usual it was a foolish thing they
lad quarreled over
Nobody saw the hand of fate when
'om Martin and his wife came back
fter years of wandering and rented
he Bromley place.
They had all been playmates togeth-
r, Tom and Julia, Jake and Laura,
nd Myra.
At sight Of Jake's retreatlng back
Iyra's face relaxed and she smiled.
A couple Of moments later Julia
Iartin appeared at the back door.
my clothesline Is caught, Myra.
ant get 1t either one way or the 9TH
+. ] thought maybe Jake" IN
"He isn't here" interrupted Myra
Dldly but come in; | want TO ask
ou something. Why don't you tell m
Ike TO keep away from your house? u
0 you realize that he is costing YOU L.
)nr good reputation?
Julia eyed her friend very serenely NH
II guilty woman. lM
"What the gosslps say can't do me IN
ly real harm, Myra." she replied gent m
wen soon be leaving-Tom can't
ny ia one place long, you know. hut <
lura will be here all her life and
ke--here In this little town where X
ey We're bon-and they might as
III be happy. And you, Myra you
mt your chance don't you? II You
e the old Myra. with the old ann a
Ions, you certainly do"
Myra was puzzled, ~
Il don't know what you are driving :,
= she said. ~
What do you suppose Jake and
k about when he comes in?" she
sed with a bright smile. "Tll tell
lone topic always-Lama. That's
Y he comes. He loves her, of
lrse-hes always loved her, and he
rs to talk about her. or hear me
K. | should say. Haven't l almost
IN out the English language raving
Iut her yellow hair. her crinkly
lie, her dimple, her superiority, her
der heart, her goodness. and still
t man isn't satisfied? It's like pour
water into jug with hole in it.
!, Myra, cart you foresee the re-
s? He's going TO march over there
le day-little by little I've been
ting his pride--and then what
IL