Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-09-15
WANTED-A GUIDE
BY ADA MAY STEVENS.
:. l92l. BIZ McClure Newapaper syndIcate.

W. ~N~@s ~ N~SOaeAN @Ne"bb~RNA SSNN@
1t was partly the fault Of the dog.
He Is much too impartial, as collies are
apt to be. He spent his time indiscrim.
inately among his admlring neighbors.
Three OF them had houses just like his
masters. How should he know which
was which, since all gave forth bones?
Were dog-but you shall see. For
fellow just recovering from an attack
Of nerves. to meet things as unstable
as this dog and the furniture of Maple
street, Is demOralizing, that's what 1t
ls.s
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 a
special stability. Alfred explains at
length that l 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 a piazza in duplicate,
passing through duplicate door into
what afterward l found to be dupli-
cate hall. Except in furnishings, in
Alfred's hall was only a table and
chair. 1t was restfully vacant; from
fits 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 a stranger in
town, ] went out next day, proud to
take my first trip alone. l felt duly,
or unduly, elated. Returning, 1 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
midable hatrack almost challenging
the way. Like soldier-or is it bur
glar ?-suddenly seeming danger,
came to tiptoe position; l 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 it
was pretty, but left as precipitately
as though followed by a bristling war
riOr with all swords drawn. There is
little satisfaction in apologizing for
frankly bOne-headed intrusion, even
to a pretty face, so left at once, with
my apology trailing over my shoulder.
Alfred's wife has a pleasant laugh,
and the mirth of cousins is more heal
ing that than of brothers, so l picked
up courage once more, took back my
rash vow that l would never appear
in public again without keeper and
went down street on the following aft
ernOOn.
went early and returned late. This
time left nothing to chance; count
ed my steps from the corner to the
house. looked first at the numbers
and then at the draperies and house
plants in the windows. / carefully
avoided all piazzas where reposed any
Of our household pets. Then bold
~ walked In.
Heavens! What had l done? Not
an article was familiar. BY the stairs
stood broad old-fashioned couch; a
black walnut wardrobe, and crock
cry umbrella rack grinned from sep
arate corners. The accustomed chair
where / usually draped my coat was
gone. Standing bewildered, l clutched.
my failing senses and uttered the
thoughts within me:
"Have / gone mad again-where am
II Where am ~" cried, in the loud
voice ordinarily used for such crises
as calls for Help" or Fire"
AS though 1t were a signal, the
lights went up. A cool voice came
down the hall, "Why, Cousin Tom, is
that your Then she went into spasms
of laughter. Yes, Alfred's wife Is
cheerful soul, but never before real
ized what a useless thing her laugh
could be. Between shrieks she
gasped:
mo wonder you don't know where
you are! Oh, Tom, you look too funny
for words-do forgive me-"
Explain yourself" l intoned. with
much dignity, realizing that only SO
could bring her to herself.
"Why, you see," she laughed, "the
things came from Alfred's fathers
house while you were gone, and we
put them around at once. Isn't that
a love of a couch? Truly. you don't
have to look so wild-but, after yes
terday-" She was hopeless and help
less. l left her.
It's all very well to soothe my feel
ings and explain things to me anyone
in my condition can tell you just how
soothing it is. / utterly refuse TO go
abroad alone again ip this town. Mean
while find the piazza just the right
length for pacing, and spend my
time teaching Major and Billy the de- I
lights of home. In place like this,
some guide is necessary.
Con0ee4io, ~ Marian. land.