The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-11-29

thought"
| A little later that same afternoon
Bonnie Geraldine was secured by
shop-twine leash fastened around one
leg and given an airing in the drive
way. II FIJI Caesar needed exercise,
why not Bonnie Geraldine? So Lettie
reasoned. She was therefore in the
habit Of giving Miss Bonnie frequent
promenades around the driveway,
which not only afforded healthful ex-
ercise but also exhibited the young
Plymouth Rock to any admiration that
might stray through the windows of
The Custard Cup.
She was startled by the sound of
motor, rapidly approaching. Glancing
up, she saw beautiful limousine
chugging into The Custard Cup, cir
cumstance which had probably not
happened before since the earliest ten
ant had taken possession. Lettie was
SO surprised that she forgot every
thing else, staring, open-mouthed, till
the limousine stopped beside her.
The big car contained only one per-
son. lady in a dark-blue suit and
small hat cunningly formed of dark
blue wings. She was tall and slender.
with delicate features and creamy
skin. She wore sable scarf; she car
ried a sable muff. Most evidently she
was in a hurry Before the chauffeur
could spring from his seat. she had
opened the door of the car and started
to descend.
Lettie reused. Hold onl" she cried
in alarm. "Wait till I get Bonnie Ger
aldine out of the way"
With one daintily shod foot on the
running board. the lady paused. She
swayed slightly. Her hurry seemed to
desert her
"whatY" she gasped "what-
who"
Bonnie Geraldine" repeated Lettie.
.'Wait till wind up her rope and kind
O. pull her in. If you was to trip in
1t, you might throw her"
The lady's beautiful dark eyes fol-
lowed the length of shop-twine to the
bunch of speckled feathers, now con-
siderably agitated by the general com
motion and also by Lettie's Jealous
reefing in.
"Do you call that-that hen-Bonnie
Geraldne?'
"Uh-huh." beamed Lettie. flattered
hy this attention TO her pet. Amt IT
grand name? took it from two
swell girls. She's going to be Il society
zen when she grows up
The lady appeared to be having
-rouble about breathing. Her gloved
and fiuttered at her throat, loosed the
able scarf. She stepped to the ground
Don't you think you might cal
vour hen something more-more ap
ropriate?" she inquired. with greater
'omposure
Lettie shook her head violently
Suits me- They're the swellest folks
know, and
"Oh. then you know these peopleY
Lettie tossed her head in disdain Al
This literalness. II hain't seen 'em. Il
that's what you mean; but golly, I've
seen their clo'es. SWEETEST clo'es yor
ever saw. l have to hang round th'
ward and watch 'em when they're dry
ing, cause somebody might snitcl
EN-; and If they should-Landy grea
4 Goshens, it'd bust The Custard CuI
to pay for 'em'
The lady's interest had waned. Sh'
!. was looking fixedly at the child's rag
:, ged blue chambray. Lettie. with light
/ ming reaction, resented the scrutiny.
d whats the matter with this her
rig?" she asked feelingly.
e Its familiarity" murmured fh
lady. "The same and yet not tn
l. same, viii you tell me where Mrs
o Penfield lives?'
{, Lettie, now cuddling the cawk-cawk
J. ing Bonnie Geraldine In her thin arms
n sprang forward. her great black eye
y shining with excitement.
Il "Jfnliny dc you mean 1t? Are yo
really coming 20 see us? Great guns
= ain't that the darndest good luck
Ev'rybody 'roundll be jealous whe
they see what a caller we roped il
Follow mel"
With an air of Importance as expaI
:, sive as a drum majors, Lettie darte
a in front Of the limousine lady and lie
the way toward Number At. But q
= the entrance to the alley they ran int
- a youngster with auburn hair and hi
blue eyes that opened wide and wide
!, In delighted amazement. He wa
wearing the pink plaid which mad pee
made down from a garment once wor
by Miss Bonnie Weatherstone.
The lady stopped short. who
;, who is this?"
= "It's Thad," elucidated Lettie, som'
what impatient over this superfiuou
n detail. Hes my little brother-or b
would be If he was any related at al
!, Here, Thad, take Bonnie Geraldir
~ round to her coop and be sure an
fasten the Stats. She's precious he
- so you look lively or you'll have me
- reckon with. Now" AS she slid Il
- big door on its creaking wheels, 81
. turned her attention again to the call'
you hain't told me who you are.
l., gotta tell PenZie."
- "Oh. yes. Tell her, Mrs. Weathe
stone"