The Glenwood post., 1923-07-19

minutes that supervened were troubled
by thuddy humping, as of a drum
gone wrong.
When Lettie reappeared she was
carrying an armful of boards, to-
mato can of old rescued nails, and a
hatchet with a notched blade. The
household did not possess hammer,
an implement too highly specialized
to be afforded; the hatchet had
squeezed in by its diversity Of service.
Frank Bosley was still there, sitting
on small stump, smoking cigarette.
He watched lazily while Lettie spread
her materials down on the walk.
"What's the nifty notion" he
drawled.
She gave him a brief glance. "You
here yet?''
"sure, and talking. I asked, what
you makingY'
'I'm going to make coop for"
She broke off and sat back on her
heels, considering.
"For the pepper-and-salt ship
wreckT' he put in helpfully.
"'Tain't a shipwreck," defended
Lettie. "Its a Plymouth Rock, guar
anteed, and it's going to be good
one. gotta name her" She reflect
ed deeply, trying out names sound
lessly, with lips moving. "I'll call her
Bonnie Geraldine" she said aloud. y
This decision, honoring the two
daughters of Mrs Weatherstone, was
the highest kind of tribute, being
spontaneous and given without lnten-
ton of fattery. The young ladies
were only names to Lettie, who had
no more thought of ever seeing n
Weatherstone than she had of glimps-
ing the North pole, rising out of Its
cake of ice and bearing aloft the flags
of the various nations that have dis
covered 1t.
"Better call 1t the Calico Curiosity" !"
he suggested between slow pufrs.
Lettie bit her lips till the color left
them. Taking up two pieces of board,
she propped them together to see If
they would form the conventional
gable roof of a chicken coop. They
would not. With sigh she discarded
one and took up another.
"You can't do It," observed the man
"You don't know how"
"Why don't you help me, thenT
"I? Child, I have better things to
do"
Eyes, you havew she retorted.
"Such as Sinking in the basement
door to see the cross-eyed mani"
With his finger on the clasp of his
cigarette case, he paused. Lettie,
watching him calmly, was quick to
see that her shot had told.
"And the little man that carries a
cane" she continued.
"If was In your place." Lettie pro-
ceeded with relish, "I wouldn't leave
my machine in the same spot all time.
It's kinder notic'ble. tween them two
eucalyptus trees on Everidge street,
and Here, Bonnie Geraldine" she
commanded, turning to her new acqui-
sitIon, stop Hopping round SO. That
dog amt going to hurt you. Here.
good old FIJI. treat her decent, can't
you? You gotta get 'quainted and be
friends. How can love you both if"
She heard steps behind her. Switch.
ing about, she encountered the white
anger Of Frank Bosley.
you imp of satani" he growled.
"Hold your tongue in your head If
you don't know how to use 1t. You
hain't never seen me in any such
place. If you want to play safe, you
won't get me mixed with somebody
else and go blabbing"
Lettie stood up and confronted him
| coolly, thin shoulders thrown back.
dark eyes undaunted
"If 1t wasn't you. what're you get.
ting so mad for? How do you know
] amt praising your
II don't care what way tits. Who
ever you saw, 'twan't me. D'you un-
derstand? You needn't get me mixed
up with anybody else"
"T hain't got you mixed up, Mr.
Frank Bosley. 1 got your number,
and know lot I hain't told. l seen
you three fellers more'n once; and
way you slink, know you're 'shamed
of something. All is, If you want me
to keep still, you get outa here and
keep away from Uncle jerry
With an assumption of recovered
composure. he returned to the stump
took out another cigarette, struck a
match, and contemplated the child
with well-simulated Indifference.
| Don't worry, spitfire."
Lettle was immensely disappointed
She had thought she was making
headway, and here she was back
where she had been in the first place
1t took scarcely ten seconds for her
anger to rise.
"Get outa here" she shrieked. "Get
out and keep out"
"Dry up" he retorted. "Tve heard
'nough from you, young lady. ]
didn't come here to be sassed. I came
to see your Uncle Jerry. and right
here / stay till he comes"
mo, you don't: no. you DON'T
stormed Lettie. you're going now
| or Pll- Oh by iinpoes there 7 or