Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-12-21
PERIWINKLE
HOUSE
By OPlE READ

there was the fire. You can leave
the canoe In the rushes and you will
need It only TO cross yer TO the cane.
But we must hurry now"
In the rushes opposite the island he
hid his canoe, and then she conducted
him along a narrow and sometimes
treacherous trail. Coming to the foot
log, she halted.
II must leave you here. But l stand
for two minutes. The sun he will wink
a few more times. . | am so
glad nov to know that / will be your
wife. And / am strong and can work."
Lord bless you, but You won't have
to work"
His arms were about her, her cheek
against his, and with happiness the
world was glowing.
"T1ll Thursday" he cried as he
dipped his paddle.
"Till Thursday" she echoed as she
watched him go.
It'll Thursday" muttered the SIMS
ter voice of old Stepho. who had ap
preached softly through the under
growth at the sound Of voices, and had
overheard their parting. But when ht
came to Periwinkle house, he gave no
sign to Nadine that he had overheard
only talked Of Monsieur Boyce and
the fine dresses he would buy for her
when she was his wife.
1t was long past noon when Drace
reached the river.
The General had gone owe into an,
other parish to attend a stock sale,
Tycie said; and when she had looked
at Drace more closely, at his torn
clothes, his muddy shoes, she sighed
and sat down beside him where on the
rustic bench he had dropped to resi-
before going to his room.
Virgil" she said, there is some
thing troubling you. Now, you needn't
tell me that it is business. | know
what business is. / know all Of its
tricks; but l also know love and all
Of its tricks. Virgil, you are in love.
Let me hope that it is not that Nina
Spence. She isn't worthy of you; and
besides, she doesn't belong to us. She
is not of our world. Virgil, I am SO
sorry"
She put her hand ON his arm, and he
took 1t and a~ffectionately kissed it.
Aunt Tycle, l never saw the girl
you speak Of. / am In the--the throes
you might says and have been-was
before / got here. but not with her."
'But is 1t with anyone / known
"You have e e her, l have heard
"Oh, you must tell me. 1t shall be
sacred with me. If you only knew how
people tell me their affairs of the heart
Even old Colonel Josh has told me
Now, why won't you?
II shall tell you, but / must put you
on your hoHor. I said that you have
e e her. You have; you spoke Of
her. Nadine"
"Oh, Virgil! But her father r, q
ayes, / know. But let me tell you
my story.
He told of his love, not of his ia
theirs death-told her nothing Of his
oath; she listened enraptured; and
when he had finished, she mothered
him with her arms about his neck.
About ten o'clock next day, while
the family sat In the shade, up to the
gate drew a respondent carriage
drawn by two black horses and driv
en- by a negro In livery. Out stepped {
man as tall as Lincoln and wearing {
hat as high as his. His raiment flashed
like the varnish Of his equipage. Drac'
recognized him as he came through thu
gate, taking of his gloves, and thu
General cried out:
"Tycie, l wish / may die dead II 4
isn't Liberty Shottle !"
Colonel Shottle, at your service
replied Liberty, bowling and gesturint
with his gloves in his hand.
"Well, Liberty" cried his aunt, Civ
/ ing him a hug Of welcome.
The General and BRACE grasped him
stroked his yelvety raiment. urging
him to a seat.
"Why all this, Colonel Shottle?"-
from the General. "You. don't near t.
tell me that you have sold your jute
stock?"
"Uncle Howard, sir, first issue order
to have my carriage stored, my horse
stabbed and my driver quartered
please"
The order was issued, and they sa
waiting for Shottle to explain hi
Transformation.
"a simple story" he began, stretch
ing out his legs. "But do not forestal
me. Poker, dice, roulette, faro, haz
ard-all Of them failed"
sand this comes Of legitimate In
vestmentr" Tycie cried. g" knew !
would. Oh, / knew it just had to come
Now tell us about 1t.
"It was an investment, Aunt Tycie
But let me not forestall myself. / lef
here on a boat, got broke. Finally
reached Tampa, Florida"
"Away down there, Libertyg'-fror
Tycie.
Patience, my dear aunt. lamps
and brokei After a day of hope wit
its throat cut from a to ear, / &c
on a boat bound for Havana. Th
Spanish captain gave me passage fc
service. He was studying English, an
I agreed to explain to him certai
niceties Of our mother tongue, you u
derstand; and | am sure that, reachir
port, he knew more about gamblin
terms than he could have picked up
a year Of close study In one Of our Q
binary schools. He was appreclatlv
generous, ana gave me a bonus Of fl