Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-06-23
WANTED-A GUIDE
BY ADA MAY STEVENS.
), 1874 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

%, 1921, by Mcclure Newspaper syndicstel
1t was partly the fault OF the dog.
He is much too impartial. as colies are
apt to be. He spent his time indlscrim.
inateIy among his admiring neighbors.
Three of them had houses just like his
masters. How should lie know which
was which, since all gave forth bonesE
Were / dog-but you shall see. For
fellow just recovering. from an attack
of nerves, 10 meet things as unstable
as this dog and the furniture Of Maple
street, is demOralizing, that's what 1t
is.
chose my cousins from the list OF
possible visiting places, because 1t was
quiet. Even the town is quiet. OF the
house one had reason to expect
special stability. Alfred explains at
length that | have not been betrayed,
but judge for Yourself.
My cousin met me upon my arrival
for 1t happened that had never visited
him since he moved to Westgate. We
stopped before piazza in duplicate,
passing through duplicate door into
what afterward found to be a dupli-
cate hall. Except in furnishings, In
Alfred'S hall was only table and a
chair. 1t was restfully vacant; from
| Its plain walls, scant furnishings, to
the cheerful little wife and pleasant
home atmosphere, felt at last | had
found peace. rested well that night.
With the interest Of stranger in
town, went out next day, proud to
take my first trip clone. | felt duly,
or unduly, elated. Returning, ! ran
confidently up the steps where SAT
Billy, the cat; / opened the hall door
to be greeted by Major, the dog. But
the hall looked unfamiliar; there was
a tall clock in the corner and for
midabIe hatrack almost challenging
the way. Like soldier-or is it bur
glar?--suddenly seeming danger,
came to tiptoe position; craned to
ward the door into the sitting room.
"Did you want to see Alfred Poser
He lives next door," The voice was
sweet, and the head that followed II
was pretty, but left as preciptatelJ
as though followed by bristllng war
rior with all swords drawn. There Ii
little satisfaction in apologizing for
frankly bone-headed intrusion, ever
to a pretty face, so left at once, witt
my apology trailing over my shoulder
Alfreds wife has a pleasant laugh
and the mirth Of cousins is more heal
ing that than of brothers, so | picket
up courage once more, took back m.
rash vow that / would never appear
in public again without a. keeper, AMI
J went down street on the following aft
I ernoon.
Invent early and returned late. Thi
time left nothing to chance; / count
ed my steps from the corner to tn
house l looked first at the number
! and then at the draperies and hous
plants in the windows. CAREFUL
avoided all piazzas where reposed an
of our household pets. Then | bold
: ly walked in.
Heavens! What had / done? No
an article was familiar BY the stair
Al stood a broad old-fashioned couch /;
black walnut wardrobe, and a crocl
cry umbrella rack grinned from sci
! arate corners The accustomed chal
7 where / usually draped my coat wa
!. gone. Standing bewildered, clutche
my failing senses and uttered n
thoughts within me:
i "Have / gone mad again-where a
II Where am II" l cried, in the lou
? voice ordinarily used for such crist
as calls for Help or Fire"
AS though it were a signal, Il
lights went up. A cool voice can
G down the hail. "Why, Cousin Tom
that your Then she went into spasn
of laughter. Yes, Alfred's wife is
u cheerful soul, but / never before rea
lied what a useless thing her laus
could be- Between shrieks 81
u gasped:
4 mo wonder you don't know whe
= you are Oh. Tom, you look too funI
: for words-do forgive me-"
Explain yourself" | intoned. wi
!, much dignity, realizing that only
y could / bring her to herself.
& "Why, you see," she laughed, I'll
$, things came from Alfred's father
house while you were gone, and J
put them around at once. Isn't tn
r. a love Of couch? Truly, you dol
= have to look SO wild--but, after "
- terday-" She was hopeless and hel
re less. left her.
It's all very well to soothe my fe
ings and explain things to me; anyo
IN in my condition can tell you just h'
in soothing it is. l utterly refuse to
abroad alone again in this town. Mes
IS while / find the piazza Just the rig
S. length for pacing, and spend
time teaching Major and Billy the
II lights Of home. In place like tn
n some guide is necessary.
u Congestion in Various Lands.
In japan today one Of the pressl