The Holly chieftain., 1921-10-06
By
Booth
Harrington
by0s Dsll eyn1icass. Ina

lint Patty suddenly became fidgety:
she hurried away from the fence.
Come over here, Florence" she said.
Lets go over TO the other side of
the yard and talk
And 1t was time for her to take
some such action If she wished to
show any tact. Messrs Atwater and
Rooter. seated quietly together upon
box on the other side of the fence
tth0ugh with their backs to the knot
hoie) were beginning TO show signs Of
inward disturbance Z Already flushed
with unexpected ineffabilities, their
complexions had grown even pinker
upon Florence's open-hearted express
sions OF opinion. Slowly they turned
their heads to look sternly at the
Fence, upon the other side OF which
stood the maligner of their eyes. Not
mat they cared what that ole girl
thouglt-but she, oughtn't to be al
lowed TO go around talking like this
ana perhaps prejudicing everybody
mat had II word to say for them.
Come on over here. Florence
called Patty huskily, from the other
side of the yard. Let's talk over
here"
Florence was puzzled, but consent
ell. What you want to talk over here
for?' she asked
oh. don't know" said Patty.
Lets go out in the front yard"
She led the way around the house,
and n Iof -
surprise as the firm of Atwater &
Rooter, passing along the pavement.
hesitated ut the gate. Their celebrat-
ed eyes showed some doubt for a mo-
ment, then a brazenness; Herbert and
Henry decided to come In.
isn't this the funniest thing?"
cried Patty. after what just
while aso-you know, Florence. Don't
yon dare to tell EN-
81 certnly won't!'' her hostess
promised, and, turning inhospitably' to
the two callers, "What on earth you
want round here?' she inquired.
Herbert chivalrously took the, duty
of response upon himself. Look
here; this is my own aunt and uncle.s
yard, isn't it? If want to come in it,.
! got perfect right to-" 80
'T should say So" his partner said
warmly.
"Why. of course" |" the cordial Patty
agreed. 1--WE can play some nice Sun
day games. or something. Let's sit
on the porch steps and think what
to do"
Il just as soon,' said Henry. Rooter.
II got nothin' p'ticular to do;
~ haven't, either" said Herbert,
Thereupon, Patty sat between them
on the steps. "This is per-fickly
grand!" she cried. "Come on. Flor
ence. aren't you going to sit down
with all the rest Of us?'
swell. pray kindly excuse me I"
said Miss Atwater; and she added
that she would neither sit on the
same steps with Herbert Atwater and
Henry Ronter. nor, even II they en-
trented her with accompanying genu-
fiectlons. would she have anything else
whatever to do with them. She with
drew to the railing Of the porch at
point farthest from the steps. and.
seated there, swung one foot rhythmic
ally and sang hymns In tone at once
plnintive and inimical.
II was not lost upon her, however,
that her Withdrawal had little de-
pressing effect upon her guests. They
chattcred gaily and Patty devised. or
remembered, harmless little games
which could he played by few peo..
pie as wetl as by many; and the three
participants were 40 congenial and
noisy and made 40 merry that. before
long. Florence was unable to avoid
the impression that, whether she liked
It or not. she was giving quite a