The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-11-01

"oIory Bel" Triumphed LettIe.
you just run down to the store and
get four cents worth Of their best
popping corn, and III"
Crink took up his knife again. "Awl
Nothing doing, Lettie. What do you
take me for?" he scoffed. me, buy
Ing four cents worth Of stuff to Mr..
Drake'sl l couldn't hold up my head.
No man ever passes out less'n
nickel"
"All right, smarty. Put up another
penny, and you'll have the nickel
that's eating you"
Cant. Them two cents are the
end for the week."
TITS the end Of the week, too"
flared Lettie. Fork over a penny on
next week. It'll do your soul good.
This whole things going to please
Penzie better'n anything"
Crink demurred. Lettie insisted.
Crink captulated.
Now you're talking, Crink. And
hurry-hurry-hurryi"
She was consumed with impatience.
She was afraid that the guest might
depart before the refreshments would
be ready. She stuck her head through
the door into the living-room.
"Now take guinea pigs, for In.
stance" rncle Jerry was saying, with
an easy gesture. Guinea pigs would
be pretty healthy lot If the medical
schools would let 'em alone. The
whole point is"
How're you getting on:" inquired
Lettie brightly.
This remark was intended to be en-
couraging, but it had rather para
lying effect upon conversation, which
had been in full swing. Miss Hapgood
dipped her hook into her work with
unusual jerkiness. Uncle Jerry
glared-glared as II he didn't appre-
ciate hospitality at all.
run long, Lettie," he said briefly.
II got story to finish"
Feeling cufred. Lettie went back
into the kitchen. But at least there
was no danger of immediate de-
parture. since story was In progress.
She got out the pepper, large dish.
the salt. Crink did not come She
grew more and more impatient. Pres
emily she softly opened the door into
the uving-room again and peeked in
with great caution.
Miss Hapgood wasn't crocheting
now. Her work had fallen in her lap.
She was looking at Uncle Jerry with
an expression OF absorbed interest.
and there was lovely shell pink in
her cheeks. Lettie had never seen
her look like that. Uncle Jerry was
talking, but Lettie paid no attention.
She was thinking about Miss Hapgood.
She edged into the room. Are you
having a good timer she began con-
versationally.
Perennial Prue jumped, fairly
clutched at her work. Uncle Jerry
frowned heavily.
Lettie, clinging to the role OF
hostess, smiled genially. you look
awful intrusted in each other. guess
you"
"Lettie, didn't l tell you"
II was Uncle Jerry's voice-a severe
voice, too. but Lettie scarcely listened
She stepped in front of Prudence.
Miss Hapgood," she said confiden-
TALLY, "ain't II funny thing, the way
your cheeks get all colored up when
you talk to Uncle Jerry? Pennies
don't. Sometimes she talks to him q
long time, and she don't ever"
"Oh," gasped Prudence in pitiable
confusion, Its only because-because
he was telling about" Her delicate
hands fiuttered in distress.
"'Shawl Don't get SO nervous" ad
yised Lettie briskly. "Ain't nothing
to make you nervous. Just make
yourself to home"
She was very sure Of the correct
ness Of this phrase, 1t being mucf
thought of in The Custard Cup, ant
she was therefore hugely astonishet
when she felt firm hand on hei
shoulder, hand with compelling
force that switched her about ant
marched her toward the kitchen.
ITO think Of you, talking to lad,
that wayl" spluttered Uncle Jerry
you'd better stay In the kitchen til
YOU learn manners"
my landy goodnessl" gasped Let
tie, nursing her thin shoulder ant
gazing wrathfully at the closed dool
into the llving-room. I'D like to know
what made him SO cross. And mt
being extra pleasant, tool Well, d!
1iminy |" she snapped. I'll bet l car
feed lady II he don't think ! cal
talk to one"
Crink came in with the corn. ant
Lettie prodded the fire till the top O
the stove was hot. Gradually she for