The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-10-19
THE GRAY LADY
BY CLARISSA MACkIE

DAUL BARROW smiled as hi
= shrugged into his raincoat anC
picked up a soft cloth hat. From the
window Of his small bachelor apart.
ment he saw the Gray Lady next door
Drawing the spring shower, bending
over her flower beds, clad in woolly
gray coat and Hopping gray felt hat
that hid probably gray head.
"She is certainly a dear old thing"
thought Paul, bit tenderly perhaps.
"She will catch her death in this rain
rheumatism will cripple her busy
little feet-what is she trying to do?"
he was passing the place now and the
Gray Lady, with her back to him, was
struggling with some tender seedlings
beaten down by the heavy drops.
"Help!" shrieked his Gray Lady.
"Hiram-Dan-" Her voice was
drowned in rush and splashing Of
water. Paul was not waiting for the
tardy henchmen, Hiram and Dan, to
appear. He turned back and ran up
the garden walk, to pick up half
drowned little woman. A bursted cop
per leader pipe from the roof was
pouring out small cataract of water,
drowning the young plants.
please take me into the house."
said his burden family, and when Paul
reached a side entrance there was an
excited stirring Of several servants.
A CTR od d,iy1
ping mistress and bore her out Of
sight, and a very pompous butler eyed
him suspiciously.
Better send some one to mend that
leak" remarked the dazed hero, as he
went out to pick up his umbrella and
brief case
"Hawi" calculated the butler, as he
closed the door gently.
Later, at his office, Paul found his
papers wet and damaged to some ex-
tent, but with the aid Of his secretary,
they were recopied, and so at night
he was able to carry them home once
more for perusal. 1t had stopped rain
ing and the sun was drawing out the
y
sven from the earth itself.
He wondered if the Gray Lady had
recovered from her fright and would
be working among the flowers. He
pondered the propriety Of calling there
and inquiring about her health. This
matter was decided for him.
When he reached the hedge the |
pompous butler painted down the path |
toward him.
SOW, STRIP pulled the man.
"Are you calling meT' asked Paul.
Eyes, sir; if you please, sir, Miss
Little wished to know if you would be
70 kind as to step inside moment.
It's about the matter of the water
,ipe, sir" he explained loftily.
every WE'LL" said Paul briefly, and
ollowed the man around to the front
entrance of the low. widespreading
house. In few moments he was bow
ng before a pretty, slender, dark-eyed
irl. who sat near a tea table. She
rose and held out little bronzed
land.
II hope you don't mind my sending
Iarking after you, Mr.
"Darrow," he supplied, taking the
un-kissed hand. IT hope your mother,
r perhaps it is your aunt, has not
Uttered any Ill effects from the shower
bis morning."
"My-mother? My aunt? All, no,
indeed, Mr.. barrow; they are quite
7ell In fact, they are both enjoying a
yeek or two at Lakewood. 1 wanted
D thank you for your kind help this
forming. My poor little seedlings
,ere quite drowned, poor things" She
ad turned to the table and was pour
X him cup Of tea.
81 have been interested in your gar 8
en- ever since 1 have lived in Mrs.
ivian's house." remarked Paul, as he 6
rank tea and ate the delicious cakes
be offered, "or is it your grandmoth-
Is garden. Miss Litter
She opened wide her eyes. He was