The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-08-04
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BY FLORENCE MELLIsH

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g. 1872. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
"Come In, Lois" called plain, sen
sible Miss Buffum.
Lois Parmenter dropped upon her
favorlte stool, clasping her slim hands
about her knees.
"Thls room is an oasis. How do
you manage IL? Is II this braided rug
OF those Turkey red curtains7"
Miss Buffum looked up from the
plum-colored skirt she was darnlng,
II guess it's Dlcky-blrd," she answered,
with an affectlonate glance toward
cage which held an aged canary.
Letters, Lois? Mo, bad newsT
1.-The worst"
els II from those editOrsT Miss
Bufrum's tone implied that those
editors had reached the limit of her
fOrbearance.
"Yes, just listen. This Is from the
Mirror Sorry TO return Between
the Rivers" Your description Of river
scenery is ripping, but the fiction mar
ket is governed by the same laws that
govern the Goldfish market, the law OF
demand and supply What our readers
want is ii. ]. and it's up TO us to see
that they get II. Put more II. |. In
your Stories, and well be glad TO
print them.
Isn't that the limit? Goldfish, In
deed This is from the North star.
we are returning 'lsabella's Garden
with regret. It's total lack of II. i.
renders 1t unavailable for our
columns
"But, Lois, II that II. l. is what
they want, why don't you put some
Of it inT'
II haven't the remotest idea what
II Is. DO you know, Miss BuffuInT'
Dear. no! l haven't any educa-
ton"
Miss Buffum seemed to enfOld the
girl in her womaDly sympathy as she
might have wrapped her in the old
plaid shawl.
"Yohll make good, Lois. liked
that garden story. l could smell the
pinks. But why didn't Isabella come
out herselfT"
"She did. once"
"But she didn't stay long"
"She had lots to do And so have
l." Lois sprang up. Goodbye, Miss
Buffum."
"Why. Lois. You're bright as the
morning. Has something important
~happenedi" cried Miss Buffum, as the
girl poised herself on the threshold
with eyes alight.
"what do you think? There's big
box Ia the hall of III. L."
Lois Parmenter! How do you know
what it's full Of? You haven't been
boring into it?'
Certainly not, didn't have a GIN
let. But It says III. L. on it in brass
tscks."
"Oh! that stands for Harvey Ide.'"
But why all this packingT said
Lois.
"Loretta's children are down with
measles. I'm going by the next train.
VIII It be asking too much Of you to
look after Dicky.T
Miss Buffum! not enOugh-if you
must GO" .
Miss Buffum packed her shirt waists
with a sigh for this negative sort Of
Kindness.
When Lois came In little late for
dinner she noticed an unusual anima-
ton in the usual group. The new
boarder vigorous, buOyant, genial, was
relating an adventure. The sour-faced
Miss Bond was almost smiling, and
the anaemic Mr.. Hemenway looked
actually interested.
"That's a great experience, Mr.. Ide,"
no said.
Life is full of great experiences"
returned Mr.. Ide.
Then somebody introduced Lois.
The next morning was Sunday, and
Lois and Mr.. Ide found themselves
alone ct breakfast.
"a great morning" he ventured.
Every much like yesterday, think"
The conversation languished.
~ write Stories" she said abruptly.
"DO you? That must be great"
every little, at present. 1t just
'came to me that you might help me"
\ "Oh! I'd be glad to and Wen take
a long walk after church and longer
one after dinner. Wen go every Sun
day. Then small boys like Kipling
had better keep out of the way"
Miss Buffum did not return until
spring.
"The blessed little boy" she cried,
as Lois trlpped In with Dicky's cage.
"Has Dicky been good bird and not
a mite OF trouble?"
"He has been a very good bird"
"But you, Lois. You've improved
wonderfully. You have a beautiful
color"
'Ive just come in for a walk with
Harvey"
"That's good for you, but what
makes you call him Harveyr
Because his name isn't HoratiO.