The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-03-30
CHAPTER II.--continued.

P
Above these rooms was a loft, once
used Cor hay but now entirely cut
OF from the ground foor. 1t could,
however, be approached by a ladder
on the outside-and was so APP
preached by Crink during winter
rains, when 1t was the last resort for
drying clothes.
1t was September. The California
summer was In its glory; the days
were warm and bright, not yet edged
with the crispness of fall. Crink be-
ing In school, Mrs. Penfeld was man
aging alone.
She had taken up her basket Of
clothes and started for the yard,
when the bell rang. This was strictly
in accordance with the usual routine,
because Mrs. Penfeld rarely finished
anything without interruption. She
put down her basket and went to the
door.
Good morning. Mrs. BosIey. Come
right in"
A young woman stood outside. She
was carefully groomed, smartly
dressed striking in appearance with
out being exactly pretty. She and
her husband lived In The Custard
Cup, but no one could understand
why. They were apparently free Of
all responsibilities and devoted them
selves to good times; in short, they
were everything that the other men,
bers of the community were not.
81 can't stop, Mrs. Penfield. I'm
going downtown, and 1 wondered If
yout let me leave this package with
you. It's got a few trinkets In 1t,
and I'd feel safer.'
Mrs. Penfield hestated. IL hain't
got any safe place." she said slowly,
"and I'm IN and out"
Gussie Bosley broke In eagerly.
"You needn't feel any care about it.
Nobody'd take 1t, but I've got feel
ing-Td rather leave 1t here. l put
newspaper round 1t, so 'twouldn't
look of any value whatever" She
passed over small package.
Mrs. Penfield took 1t with some re-
luctance and carried 1t into her bed
room. She was accustomed to all
sorts of strange requests, but 1t was
the first time she had been asked to
guard valuables.
IT expect she thinks nobody'd look
here" Mrs. Penfield reflected; and
altogether and went on out to the |
yard with her basket. AS she wiped |
the lines she sang under Der breath |
in sheer blitheness of spirit. This was
the happlest part of her work :. she
loved the air. the sunshine
a'Mornin'," called a rasping voice.
"Why, Mr.. Wopple. good morning"
she returned briskly. "Ain't 1t a
grand day?'
"Well, pretty fair" conceded Mr..
wopple grudgingly. He never so far
encouraged anything, even the
weather, as to give 1t unqualified APP
prevail
Mr.. Wopple was a night Waterman
N some vague building near the
water front; and no one in The Gus
ard Cup questioned his being emf
,entiy adapted to exactly that work.
was the keynote Of his
he sacrificed many hours
II possible daytime sleep by bringing
IFS professional activities into the
ZONE field.
YES it's a grand day. repeated
drs. Penfeld, quite as II she had re-
eived more encouragement. "How
re you feeling, Mr.. Woppie7''
"Jest middlin'." he replied, In die
way voice. His small, beady eyes
we're filmed for moment. out OF def
renee to this sentiment. He gazed I
I Mrs. Penfield with new shrewd-
ess which she would have sensed at
nee II she had been less occupied.
II see Thad's got a new rig" con-
nued Mr. Wopple in the manner of
ne who delivers a preamble.
"Yes, bless the babyr' laughed Mrs, L
enfield. 81 finished that up last [
light. I'm sorry it's pink, cause 1t b
ont go with his ihair the best ever, d
ut that nice Bingham couldn't go to
aste."
81 expect Thad's lucky to get as {
uch's that" Mr.. Wopple now be- I
an on the main argument. Il
"Sure. He WAS little disappointed a
out the color, cause he amt struck h
18th pink, but that's good for him. | A