St. Tammany farmer., 1922-06-03

Ahe girl ute raVenOuSly. 1t was al
easy guess that she had not befor>
tasted food that day.
Clay kept up flow of talk, mostl,
about Johnnie's culinary triumphs
Meanwhile he made up q he'd on ths
couch.
Once she looked up at him, he,
throat swollen with emotion. you're
good"
"Sho! We been needln' M slste,
70 Drace up our manners for us. It'a
lucky for us found you. Now ex.
pect you're tired and sleepy. We fixed
up yore bed in here because It's warm
er. You'll be able to make out with 1t
all right. The springs are good"
Clay left her with a cheerful smile.
''Turn out the light before you 60 to
bed, Miss Colorado. Sleep tight. And
don't you worry. You're back with
Old home folks again now, you know -
Tired out from tranlping the streets
without food and drowsy from the
toddy She had taken, Kitty fell into
deep sleep undisturbed by troubled
dreams.
The cattlernan knew he had found
her in the nick OF time. She had told
him that she had no money, no room
In which to sleep, NO prospect Of work.
Everything she had except the clothes
on her back had been pawned to buy
food and lodgings. But she was young
and resilient. When she got back
home to the country where she be-
lenged, time would obliterate from her
mind the experiences OF which she had
been the victim.
It was past midday when Kitty
woke. She found her clothes dry. After
she dressed she opened the door that
led to the kitchen. Johnnie began to
hustle about In preparation for her
breakfast.
"Please don't trouble. I'll eat what
you've got cooked" she begged.
''It's no trouble, ma'am. If the's q
thing On earth enjoy doin' it's sure
cookin'. Do you like yore aigs sunny
side up or turned1'
"Either way. Whichever you like,
Mr.. Green"
While she ate he waited on her So
ucitously. Inside, he was a river Of
tears for her, but with 1t went a good
deal of awe. Even now, wan-eyed and
hollow-cheeked. she was attractive.
In Johnnie's lonesome life he had
never before felt 80 close to girl al
he did to this one.
IL don't like to be 90, much bother
to you," she said. Maybe I can go
away this afternoon"
mo, ma'am. we won't have that a.
TALL" broke in the range-rider In
alarm. "We're plumb ttckled to have
you here. Clay, he feels thataway
too"
II could keep house for you while j
stay," she suggested timidly. Il know
how to cook--and the place does need
cleaning"
"Sure it does. Say, wha's the matter
with you bein' Clay's sister, jes' got
In last night on the train? 1ha's the
story We'll put up to the landlord II
you'll gimme the word"
Johnnie told the story Of the search
for her, with special emphasis on the
night Clay broke into three houses IN
answer to her advertisement.
II never wrote it. l never thought
Of that 1t must have been"
'It was that scalawag Durand.
y'betcha. amt still wearin' my pin
feathers none. He was sore because
Clay had fixed his clock proper"
1--WE got no place to go, except back
home-and I've got no folks there but
second cousin She doesn't want me.
don't know whit to do. II had
woman friend-some one to tell me
what was best"
Johnnie slapped his hand on his
knee, struck by q sudden inspiration.
SAY! Y'betcha, by jollies, I've got 'er
the very one! You're d-n--youre
sure whistlin'. We got lady friend,
Clay and me, the finest little pilgrim
In New York. She's sure there when
the gong strikes. You'd love her. III
fix it for you-right away. l got to go
to her house this afternoon an 90
some chores I'll bet she comes right
over to see YOU"
Kitty was doubtful. Maybe we bet
ter wait and speak to Mr.. Lindsay
about it, she said.
mo, ma'am. you don't know MISS
Beatrice. She's the best friend. why,
T shouldn't wonder but that she and
CLAY might get married one O these
days. He thinks a lot Of her"
"Oh!" Kitty knew just little more
Of human nature than the puncher.
"Then wouldn't tell her aboat me II
wos YOU. She wouldn't like my bein
here"
"sho! You don't know Miss Beatrice
She grades way up. III bet she likes
you fine"
when Johnnie left to 60 to work
TINT afternoon he took with him res
olution to lny the whole case before
Beatrice Whitford. She would nx
things ull right. II there was one per
son on earth johnnie could banK On
without fail it was his little boss.
IT was not until Johnnie had laid the
case before Miss Whitford and restat-
cd it under the impression tnat sne
could not have understood that his con-
.f1dence ebbed. He had expected an
eager interest, a quick enthusiasm
Instead. he found in his young lnis-