The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-09-29

grow up within her to size inevi-
tably fatal. Then, with her cousin
Herbert's stern assistance, Florence
had realized that her gullibility was
not to be expected in anybody, over
seven years old, after which age such
legends are supposed to be encoun-
tered with the derision of experienced
people.
Her fastidiousness aroused, she de-
cided that Henry Rooter had no busi-
ness to be talking about what would
happen to her insides. anyhow; and SO
Informed him at their next meeting.
adding an explanation which absolute
ly proved him to be no gentleman.
And her opinion of him was still per-
fectly plain in her expression as she
made her present intrusion upon his
working hours. He seemed to re-
ciprOcate.
Here! Didn't l and Herbert tell
you to keep out O. here?" he demand
ed, even before Florence had devel-
oped the slightest form Of greeting.
Look at her, Herbert! She's back
again."
"You get out o. here, Florence"
said Herbert, abandoning his task
with look Of pain. "How often we
haf to tell you we don't want you
around here when we're in our ONCE
like this?'
"For heavens sakel" Henry Rooter
thought fit to add. Cant you quit
running up and down our office stairs
once in q, while, long enough for us to
get our newspaper work done7 Can't
you give us q little peace7"
The pinkiness Of Florence's alter
ing complexion was justified; she had
not been near their old ONCE for four
days She stated the fact with heat.
adding: "And only came then be-
cause knew somebody ought to see
that this stable isn't ruined. Its my
own uncle and aunt's stable, and I
got as much right here as anybody"
You have notw Henry Rooter pro-
tested hotly. This isn't, either, your
ole aunt and uncle's stable"
at isn'ti" ~.
."No, 1t is not! This isn't anybodys
stable. It's my and Herbert's news
paper building, and 1 guess you
haven't got the face to stand there
and claim you got right to go in a
newspaper building and say you got
right there when everybody tells
you to stay outside of 1t, guessi"
"Oh, haven't I?'
"No, you haven't-Il" Mr.. Rooter
maintained bitterly. You Just walk
downtown and go in one Of the news
| hr,i1dlnrc Ali
'em you got right to stay there all
day long when they tell you to get out
O. therel Just try It'll That's all 1
nsk!"
Florence uttered cry of derision.
"And pray, whoever told you was
bound to do everything you ask me to.
Mister Henry RooterY" And she con-
cluded by reverting to that hostile
impulse, so ancient, which in despair
of touching IN antagonist effectively,
reflects upon his ancestors. "H you
got anything you want to ask. you 60
ask your grandmother
"Here!" Herbert sprnng to his feet.
outraged. you try and behave like
ladyr ulr
who'll make me7" she inquired.
"You got to behave like a lady as
long as you're in our newspaper build
ing, anyway" Herbert said ominously.
| 'If you expect to come up here after
you been told Eve dozen times to
keep out"
"For heavens sakes" his partner
interposed. "When we goin' to get
our newspaper work done? She's your
cousin; I should think you could get
her outT
"Well, I'm goln' to, amt II" Her
bert protested plaintively. II expect to
get her out, don't II"
"Oh, you doY Miss Atwater in
quired, with severe mockery. "Pray,
how do you expect to accomplish 1t,
prayY'
Herbert looked desperate, but was
unable to form reply consistent with
some rules of etiquette and gallantry
which he had begun to observe during
the past year or so. 'Now, see here,
Florence" he said. You're old
enough to know when people tell you
to keep out of place, why, 1t means
they want you to stay away from
there"
Florence remained cold to this rea-
soning. "Oh, poot!' she said.
"Now, look here!" her cousin re-
monstrated, and went on with his ar
gument. 1--WE got our newspaper work
to do, and you ought to have sense
enough to know. newspaper work like
this newspaper work we got on our
hands here isn't-well, 1t amt any
childs play"
His partner appeared to approve of
the expression, for he nodded severely
| and then used 1t himself. mo, you
bet 1t isn't any childs play!" he said.
mo. sir" Henry Rooter again
agreed. Newspaper work like this
isn't any child's play at all !"
"It isn't any child's play, Florence"
said Herbert. ut amt any child's