Palisadian., 1923-06-15
An Experience
Meeting
By MARTHA WILLIAMS
u I. - . - -. - s-.... .s'
((9 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.I

90 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.I
Noel Gray came up the drive chant
ing loud and clear:
'Huntsman, huntsman, blow your horn!
Fox has got your goose and gone"
With the last word he swept his hat
in a wide flourish.
Black-eyed Susan upon the portico
shook her head at him, saying: ut is
sinful to so pervert facts in natural
history. You know as well as l that
In this case it is the goose that has
got the fox and gone," dimpling wick
edly as she spoke. Besides the dimples
and the black eyes she had red lips,
a rose-fushed brown skin that defied
wind and weather, leaf-brown hair fine
as floss silk, and a figure the perfec-
ton of round slender litheness. Natu-
rally young fellows up and down
Caney Fork pined to be seen In her
company, also to eat the fat and drink
the sweet abundantly provided In the
home that was her background. Noel
more so than at his legal residence,
where a thrifty stepmother sold the
good things Susanna's folk, the Deans,
preferred to eat or give away.
But child of the house that he felt
himself, he never forgot his manners.
Thus he was first favorite with Aunt
Milly, Susanna's great-aunt and fairy
godmother. The girl was so vivid, so
whimsically charming, she harmonized
cOlors and situations that in the face
Of pallid personalities swore at each
other. Witness the soft crimson sash
with which she had girdled her dull
blue gown; witness also the pair who
kept her company Curate Ayres was
still so new and now he blushed at the
sound Of his own voice, and Judge
Jameson, case-hardened In law and
politics, whose substitute for religion
was enlightened selfshness.
"Can she explain, Judge? The fox
and goose problem?" Noel asked. meek
ly, seating himself upon the steps,
where he had a view Of Susanna in
profile. "It's important-Or wouldn't
ask" Noel went on: II hate cats so,
1t would trouble me greatly to have
Black-eyed Susan appear to be one."
Explosive laughter sounded. Through
It the Judge rumbled: "Young man,
your question insults even your own
limited intelligence. In fact. explana-
ton Is superfluous. Patiently Mrs.
Nelson is goose of the first water
mean the first weight-and ripe for
the plucking. Brother Stacy. with
whom she has eloped much against
his will, is a fox-all but the cunning.
She got the drop on him, so to speak.
by learning experimentally his man.
ner of investments-it makes highway
robbery seem sincere piety by con-
trast. So he had to choose between
jail for life and matrimony. / know,
because 1 drew up marriage settle
ments that made the case plain as q
pikestaff. And had just told the tale
knowing well the Stacy outfit will
give Caney Fork henceforth wide
BERTH"
II see," Noel commented. "Any.
body want to do war dance on mel
No? Then I'll try to live 1t down"
"Ayres should be doing a joy dance
thanksgiving for deliverance," the
Judge interrupted. "Widow Nelson had
her eye on him till Stacy hove in
sight"
"Oh, oh-really-judge- quite
wrong" Ayers gasped, his face rival.
ing cluster Of young beets.
Noel made a feint of amazement
saying: "Why, judge, I didn't dream
the wind blew that way. Thought you
were due to be the happy man-thats
why l sang as l did,"
"Shut up, you puppy!'' the Judge
roared, his countenance a brick red
that all but put the curate's out OF
court.
Blackeyed Susan clapped her hands
softly, saying with sprightly malice
"As we have set up the confessional
suppose we all turn mad enough to
speak truth on ourselves? Judge, you
go first, in right Of age and honors
Cross your heart-why did you come
here this morning?"
ITO get ahead of that pulpit-pretty
who haunts you all day." the judge
doomed. 81 didn't agree. to tell the
whole truth, but the chance is too good
to lose. I'm not afraid of him; he's
merely an irritating excrescence. You
give him time you had better spend
thinking of me. For mean to marry
you, no matter who objects. Even
Aunt Milly; she can give her money
to the heather and be hanged to them
But I've waited ten years for you to
grow up, young woman. I'll wait ter
more if l have to, but you'll have the
devils own time making me do it,
"Open confession is good for the
soul !' Black-eyed Susan con. mented
airily, turning beautiful back to hel
elderly suitor and asking, hOneyedly
"Ready for the question, Mr.. Ayers
You got here next the judge. Please
tell us why?"
IL couldn't! Not-not before ali
these people!" Ayers faltered, making
a dash for the steps and fairly leapinl