The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-09-06
bless your s0ul, that 7eIleF's harm.

less"
"oh. yes. of course" she replied.
recovering herself. 'I amt criticizing.
l was only surprised"
ihad strolled in from the kitchen.
by GeorgeI" cried Jerry Winston.
80 that little shaver belongs to you.
ooes he? I didn't know you had any
youngsters"
II have two-three-by adoption"
Queer you amt sure of the num-
oer'' he commented slyly.
one of them is brand-new.r she
smiled. Il haven't had her but a day.
Inad' dear. this is your Uncle Jerry.
Amt that nicer"
While they were getting acquainted.
MIS-. Penfield went into the kitchen.
wen have lunch pretty soon." she
called back. I've got some cornbread
warming in the oven, and I'm making
dried-beef gravy. I've been saving a
jar OF strawberries hoping we'd have
company, and now I can open 1t for
one Of my very own family. Amt 1t
wonderfulY
Mrs. Penfield circled around by the
front door. ITS time for Crink," she
said. looking out into the driveway.
GOOD morning, Lorene. Ev'rything
going smoothY
Lorene Percy paused on her way
past Number Al. She was a pretty
girl with deep violet eyes, small. fea-
lures. and masses Of sunny brown
hair. She had an excellent business
position, besides singing in a choir,
and She was frankly favorite with
Mrs. Penfleld.
mo. not everything" smiled the
girl. "Dick Chase and l have been
invited on a lovely trip to Mount
Diablo. and he can't-he won't-go."
why. that's too bad, Lorene.
wish you could CO."
so do l." sighed the girl. @"We
most had a quarrel over 1t. You see,
some friends of the Bosleys are get
ting it up, and there was room for
two more, so Mr.. Bosley invited"
"Oh" Interrupted Mrs. Penfield, in
different tone. "Well, if l was in
your place, wouldn't think about it
again. You know it's always a good
idea for folks to stick to their own
circle of friends, and I'll bet that was
what Mr.. Chase was thinking"
Maybe" conceded Lorene; 'but
how I've wanted to go to Diablo with
a Jolly partyl l expect I'll get over
It," she laughed. "If you say I'd bet
ter, it'll help me to do it." She waved
her hand and went on toward the
Percy fiat
Mrs. Penfield turned back into the
living-room; then stopped in the most
profound amazement. Jerry Winston
had risen and was still holding an
attitude of listening, Of thoughtful
absorption. She tried in vain to recall
anything In her light interchange with
Lorene that could have had signifi-
canoe.
"What's the matter. Uncle JerryY'
she asked.
II He shrugged his shoulders and be-
came instantly the nonchalant, good
natured man of few minutes before.
Nothing. Car'line. I'm naturally kind
O. interested in this little nest you
live in"
"Wait till the children get here"
she nodded proudly. "Tll bet you'll
be int'rusted then. They're dears.
ev'ry one Of EN-"
Lettie came in first and dashed to
the sink. II got somep'n now" she
shrilled. "I'll bet 1t don't leak, nei-
ther."
There was a sound of running wa
ter. Then Lettie appeared in the door
to the living-room. In her right hand
she swung an old agate teakettle.,
"She's a peach" declared Lettie
triumphantly. "She don't leak. Look
at herr
20 LETTER. cried Mrs. Penfeld.
Look yourselfi"
The child's gaze followed the direc-
ton of Mrs. Penfield's finger. The
water had percolated through the OBJ
structions in the bottom Of the tea
kettle and had found many holes for
escape. The teakettle had become a
sprinkling-pot, merrily spraying the
floor.
"Jiminyi !" exclaimed Lettie. "Ain't
that the darndest luckT' With q flash
of black curls, she made for the sink.
Jerry Winston's broad shoulders
shook with laughter. II can see she's
going to be a comfort, Car'line. I'd
stake my life she's got some go in
her,"
Land sakes !" laughed Mrs. Pen
field. IT wouldn't give last years
carrot for feller thst didn't have
some spirit. It's a motor attachment;
and If you want to see one that's in
good working order, you just hang
around and keep an eye on Lettie."
"Tm thinking of doing that very
thing" said Uncle Jerry.