Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-07-07

EIan. but called Il messenger an! soon
her reply was in John Miles hau,i.
ANY an>wcr?" lie asked wr,.hani
cally.
NO. Sir. ci"SS not: Miss M,rchand
didn't say So replied th,. boy.
Miss MHrriianG' Mr.. Miles waved
him away AMI opened the letter. He
read it over. spread the two dainty
sheets IN his desk. bending over them
as II solving Il puzzle. Benny and
llaroluS conversation came to mind
''lenny. Ii" called. Ills rione,tary
rage was chased away by happy
Smile-SE"uld Benny be chastised or
canonized?
"What did you boys do with your
April f0oli$hmesS? Write any letters %
"A few" admitted Benny. search
Ing his fathers n-committal face.
"Why. pop?'
ITO Miss NIarchand?' asked his
father. with an effort smothering his
desire to laugh like a boy, "and who
elSc2'
THAT'S all we signed your name to
'cept the washwoman, tellln' her she'd
lost our shirts. but called her on
the phone and told her April fool.
Miss Marchand knows by now that
1t was only April fool for she's got
the other one" explained Benny cas-
ualy. His father grippcd him by the
shoulders and, In voice that made
Benny tremble, demanded, what
other letter?"
"Why the one that said 'Ha! Ha
April fool =" whmpered Benny.
John Miles never punished in haste
He pushed Benny out of his room and
shut the door. "Of all the imps Of
Satan commend me to 4 boy! Poor
dear Chatty-I wonder II 1 can beat
the poStman out there? Selling his
hat he hurried out. stumbling over the
pcnitent. frightened Benny. HesItat-
Ing an instant he took his hand.
Come. son, we've got to undo the
mischief you young rascals did"
On the way out Benny was left to
his anxious thoughts. Arrived at their
destination, he was told to sit on
bench In the yard till called, and his
father insistentIy rang the bell. To
the maid, who denied him admission,
declaring that Miss Marchand could
see no one. he said. please tell Miss
Marchand it is John Miles and shall
remain till seq her"
After q cruel wait little rustic an
nounced her coming. He Sprang up,
advancing to meet her. She had been
crying. "Ah." he said, pltyingly, "you
poor darling; then you did get that
horrible letter." and despite her eff
forts to prevent 1t he took her In his
arms and she sobbed on his shoulder.
Il was $3.50 ashamed--John. to
think l was In such hurry to &C.
cept," and she hid her face, crying
piteously. He petted her. kissing the
tumbled hair. The laundering years
fell away; they were young He AS
Sured her that he was only waiting
these five years to get enough courage
to ask her and the imps Of boys pre-
cipitated the matter. The culprit Is
out Of doors. sweetheart, what shall
we do with him?"
"The Angel! Bring him int! de-
clared Chatty happily.
So Benny was called in and pre-
scented to Miss Iarchand, his friend,
the lady with whom he might live
some day If they grew to ike each
other. Then he was taken into the
yard and introduced to more pets
than he had ever seen together. A
wonderful cocker spaniel, kittens,
chickens and feal talking parrot,
Say, pop" Benny whispered. long
after he had been told to g3 to sleep
and not utter another Sound TIL
morning, "don't you SUPPOSE We could
move out there tomorrow, Sattidy-
there's no school,"
'What. and be bossed by a step
m"her?" chuc!sled his father.
law, shucks. pop. she amt step
mother, she's nice enough to be a
feller's real mother II she had a
chance. An amt she pretty" Sigh
Ing contentedly, he dropped Off to
sleep. to dream of the happy days
they were all to have in the Marchand
cottage.