The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-08-23

oSC0 AVA my Dut HOW cut
of from the ground floor. 1t could,
however, be approached by a ladder
on the outside-and was so ap-
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. Penfield 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. Bosley. 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 mem
bers Of the community were not.
II can't stop, Mrs. Penneld. I'm
going downtown, and I wondered If
you't let me leave this package with
you. It's got a few trinkets In it,
and I'd feel safer" a
Mrs. Penfield hesitated. 'T 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 1t.
Nobody'd take 1t, but I've got feel
lng-Td rather leave it here. put
a newspaper round 1t, so 'twouldn't
look of any value whatever" She
passed over a small package.
| Mrs. Penfleld took 1t with some re-
luctance and carried 1t into her bed
room. She was accustomed to all
sorts of strange requests, but it was
the first time she had been asked to
guard valuables.
"T expect she thinks nobody'd look
here" Mrs. Penfield reflected; and
with that she dismissed the matter
altogether and went on out to the
yard with her basket. AS she wiped
the lines, she sang under ber breath
in sheer blitheness of spirit. This was
the happiest part of her work; she
loved the air, the sunshine.
"Mornin'," called a rasping voice.
"Why, Mr.. Wopple, good morning!"
she returned briskly. "Ain't 1t a
grand dayY
"well, pretty fair" conceded Mr.
Wopple grudgingly. He never SO far
encouraged anything, even the
weather, as to give 1t unqualified ap-
proval.
Mr.. Wopple was a night watchman
in some vague building near the
water front and no one in The Gus
tard Cup questioned his being emf
nently adapted to exactly that work.
Watchfulness was the keynote of his
personality; he sacrificed many hours
of possible daytime sleep by bringing
his professional activities into the
home field.
Eyes, it's a grand day." repeated
Mrs. Penfield, quite as If she had re-
ceived more encouragement. "How
are you feeling, Mr.. WoppleT" b.,
"Jest middlin'." he replied, in a die
away voice. His small, beady eyes
were filmed for moment, out Of def
erence to this sentiment. He gazed
at Mrs. Penfield with new shrewd-
ness which she would have sensed at
once If she had been less occupied.
II see Thad's got a new rig" con-
tinued Mr.. Wopple, In the manner of
one who delivers preamble.
Eyes, bless the babyl" laughed Mrs.
Penfield. II finished that up last
night. I'm sorry it's pink, cause 1t
don't go with his hair the best ever,
but that nice gingham couldn't go to
waste"
II expect Thad's lucky to get as
much's that" Mr.. Wopple now be
gan on the main argument.
"Sure. He was little disappointed
bout the color, cause he amt struck
with pink. but that's good for him.
I figger child ought to be dis'ppoint-
ed at least once week, in order to
get used to life" She discarded q
broken clothespin and reached into
her pocket for another.
II guess likely you aimed to have
folks think he was your own kid"
insinuated Mr.. Wopple. testing the
strength Of his old pruning shears.
Land. no. 1 never claimed he was.
He's mine cause l adopted him and
love him. and cause he loves me.
That's all there is to it."
Mr.. Wopple thought otherwise. TITS
easy said, Mis- Penfield, but I'll bet
there's lot more to 1t. Where'd you
get Thad, Mis- Penfield2"
With a quick movement she lifted
the sheet and pinned it into place.
1.-The records are for Thad when he
grows up"
you got some records. thenT
"Mebbe," she returned, on guard.