Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-22
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Rubber Boots Asfrdy
by JENNIE NJ. PHILLIPS

out two and handed them to Marjorie.
Guess that's all" he &c concluded; ast,,-rsd
Ma1grls % Joking IN for
Mother sent to New York for new
coat for my birthday, present IT'S
| overdue now-three weeks" she sighed.
Postmaster Drew. fumbled about the
Uttered space Of desk. removed some
Here" he said. noting the initials
"oh. good" said Marjorie, TITS about
! time" She hastily grabbed the bundle
by the string and walked out,
The path to the gate was slushy; ~ S;.osS 50
wetting her feet. So occupied was she
IN this task that she did not raise her
head to see that Martin Bearse had
just passed along the road.
Marjorie, however. turned in the OPP
posite direction. and soon Joined May
Fernald. who came out OF an adjoining
Say. Mari. isn't the waikin awful"
greeted May. Seems to me you didn't
have much to say. to Martin this morn
Ing" she bantered.
why. didn't see him." began MIR
jorie.
"Oh. you didn't" teased May. Sup
pose YOU think that I don't know you've
auarreled. II I had a fellow like Mar.
tin Bearse," she ran on: ''you Just bet
Marjorie's cheeks grew very red. but
she kept silent There was long
pause.
my new coat has come at last" she
said. evading the subject
Meanwhile at the postoffice an inves-
tigation was in process. with Mrs. Drew
as inspector.
I'D like to know what has become OF
that bundle for Martin Bearse," she
began violently, charging upon her hus-
band.
II amt seen nothin' for him." re-
| turned the aged postmaster meekly.
There was one here" she asserted
Came last night. An left IT right
here" She laid her hand fatty on the
side Of the desk touching the wall
What I know. know" she finished
We'll. mebbe he's got it," replied
Mr.. Drew tactfully.
"There amt none of the Bearses been
| in here" she answered.
The argument ended, as usual, with
! Mrs Drew's last word.
! An hour later Martin Bearse. on his
way home from the store, dropped in Ut
/ the postofflce.
Anything here for me. Mr.. Drew?"
he asked pleasantly. I'm looking for
pair OF rubber boots Need 'em this
| weather"
The postmaster behind the little barred
window OF the cabinet looked worried.
'1 ain't seen nothln' here" he an
| swered.
Hope they'll be along soon" an
| swered Martin, turning to go.
As he shut the door Mrs Drew ell
tered protest.
I'D like to know what you've done
with them boots. Who's been here this
morning." she questioned. forcibly. Al
! penetrating glance shot out from her
eyes. Such judgelike scrutiny caused
her husband to wither.
'r dunno" he vaguely answered
War'nt nobody here's l know Of" He
] tried a
| stance.
Lawrence brought a letter" A light
streak suddenly appeared in his faded
"Marjorie Brown was here" he con-
.tinued hopefully. she had some par
."fo send OFF," interrupted Mrs. Drew.
postmaster was regaininig his authority)
Twas for Martin, Bearse, I know"
NO, 'twarn't either. Twas Marjorie
| Mrs. Drew waited for no more auib-
bling She hurried to the door.
''iIoo-oo." she called Martin, well on
| his way. turned around.
gray locks frowsled. went tho length Of
the piazza-"he's gone an give your
boots to Marjorie Blown I'm awful
back. He's all the time maxim mis-
takes, I wish he'd let mo tend the mail"
A queer expression passed over Mar
tins face as he went on silently.
| Afternoon came, but Marjorie did not
return. Mr. and Mrs. Drew attributed
| tho delay to the wretched condition OF
the sidewalks. ankle-deep with melted
| snow.
morning surprise had turned to disap-
| poin ntment Instead Of a coat, Marjorie
had found that her package contained
| ra-pnfDrCpd hct IN NJ al
enough to arouse masculine thrill OF
| Joy. The mistake aroused her indigna-
ton. Quickly she sought the torn wrap
per. Piecng tho bits together carefully.
she made out the name. Martin" Then
| Indignation turned into anger
My land, Martin Bearse's boots. Her
the IieV old things back-i just won't-f Just
won't-that's all there Is to IT," she told
| her mother.
Three days passed increasing in worry
I'm goln, to sec that girl" deter.
mined Mrs. Drew.
NO, YOU ain.t either" Tho postmas-
"She amt got no right to keep other
We'll, mebbe she's sent 'em TO him.
He lives down that way" argued the
The next night It raineI furiously,
melting snow and ice, until II became
like an open sea Water stood ankle
deep everywhere. The shallow yard at
the Brown house was flooded.
Marjorie, how are you going to feed
tho hens this morning?" asked Mgs.
Brown feebly.
Marjorie looked perplexed All at
once her face frightened.
II WILL" she determined. "Thcre's no
other way"
After a few minutes, a girllsh, pretty
figure. uniquely outlined by a pair Of
hip boots, awkwardly waded out toward
the henhouse.
Just at that time, Martin Bearse,
driven by necessity, angrily sloshed into
tho Brown backyard. Tho appearance
which met his gaze chased the brooding
quarrel to flight. hearty laugh broke
the spell.
Ing furiously, II just couldn't help II. / |
couldn't get here any other way"
Although Martin Bearse did not have
the satisfaction of christening those |
boots. he experienced n supreme 10y In
wearing them.
In the early springtime, when nature
blossomed anew after her long blanketed |
sleep. he induced Marjorie Brown to
change her name to Bearse.
my good fortune" Martin told his
congratulatnE friends, ia due to a pair
| of rubber boots going astray. II you
don't believe II, ask Marjorie"