Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-09-28
THE GRAY LADY
BY cLARissA MAcKlE

Drawing the spring shower. bending
over her flower beds, clad in a woolly
gray coat and Hopping gray felt hat
tnat hid a probably gray head.
She is certainly dear old thing -
thougnt Paul, bit tenderly perhaps.
she Will catch her death in this rain
rheumatism will cripple her busy
nttie feet-what is she trying to DOR
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.
"Helpl" shrieked his Gray Lady.
"Hlram--Dan-" Her voice was
drowned in a rush and smashing of
water. Paul was not waiting for the
tardy henchmen, Hiram and Dan, to
appear. He turned back and ran I'D
the garden walk, to pick up a 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 side entrance there was an
excited stirring Of several servants.
A strong-armed maid received the drip
ping mistress and bore her out of
sight, and 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.
"Haw" 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
fragrance from every growing thing,
even 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.
COW, sirr' pulled the man.
Are you calling meY' asked Paul.
Eyes, sir; if you please sir, Miss
Little wished to know if you would be
so kind as to step inside moment
It's about the matter of the water
pipe. sir" he explained loftily.
VERY WELL" said Paul briefly, and
followed the man around to the front
entrance Of the low, widespreading
house. In few moments he was bow
ing before a pretty, slender dark-eyed
girl, who sat near a tea table. She
arose and held out a little brOnzed
hand.
L hope you don't mind my sending
Harking after you, Mr."
'Darrow," he supplied, taking the
sun-kissed hand 81 hope your mother,
or perhaps it is your aunt, has not
suffered any i'll effects from the shower
this morning"
"My-mother? My aunt? All, no.
indeed, Mr.. barrow; they are quite
well in fact, they are both enjoying a
week or two at Lakewood. wanted
to thank you for your kind help this
morning. My poor little seedlings
were quite drowned, poor things" She
had turned to the table and was pour
Ing him a cup of tea.
81 have been interested in your gar
den ever since | have lived In Mrs.
vivian's house." remarked Paul, as ne
drank tea and ate the delicious cakes
she offered, cor is it your grandmoth-
er's garden. Miss Litter
She opened wide her eyes. He was
thrilled to notice they were big and |
crown and long-lashed. MY grand
nother?" she repeated breathlessly.
1T used to be my grandmother's gar
ien-I call it mine now
81 am afraid I have quite fallen IN /
owe with the little old lady who trips .
bout among the flowers" he laughed /
,hyly as he put his empty cup on the
able. Il have seen her in all wealth
RS. and have built up some pretty
omances about her. While the sno"
vas still on the ground she was brush
ng It away and peering for the hrst
rocus
Little old lady-what little old
ldy2" she asked. for her mother ana
unit we're tall. stately women.
THE little lady IN eray-l call her
be Cray Lady" Paul was emDar-
assed now
Suddenly Miss Little laughed De-
ghtfuIly, she dimpled and bluspeq 20
he roots Of her soff dark hair "NhN /
N. Dawow how amusing mere rs
. indie old lady excepting myself
Your
nYou have been deceiyed by fle oia
uy ihiugs I wear around Aoil|
MI aupHe are quite seanaallfea -,