The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-05-04
CHAPTER xII.-continued

At5 6NSs 1S 5"DR>Nt t~~O'>iA6t
himself. who'd think Penzie'd string
you like thatY'
AT the words, the child's fear was
swallowed up In recurring anger. Her
beloved Penzie had been criticized.
Don't you dare talk bout Penzie,"
she flashed. Get outa here, you
nixy stint Get outa-" She dashed
toward him with outfiung arms, as
one might to frighten a small animal I;
then stopping so abruptly that she
swayed dizzily for a moment. Excuse
me-" she muttered 20 Lord I" She
turned and flew into the house, bang
ing the kitchen door behind her. The
minutes that supervened were troubled
by thuddy humping, as Of drum
gone wrong. :.
When Lettie reappeared she was
carrying an armful of boards. to-
mato can of old rescued nails, and
Ratchet with notched blade. The
household did not possess a hammer,
an implement too highly specialized
to be afforded; the Ratchet had
squeezed in by its diversity of service.
Frank Bosley was still there, sitting
on a small stump, smoking a cigarette.
He watched Iazily while Lettie spread
her materials down on the walk.
whats the nifty notion?" he
drawled.
She gave him brief glance. you
here yetT
"Sure, and talking. I asked, what
you makIngY'
'Tm going to make coop for"
She broke off and sat back on her
heels. considering.
For the pepper-and-salt ship
wreck?" he put in helpfully.
"'Tain't a shipwreck," defended
Lettie. Its a Plymouth Rock, guar
anteed, and it's going to be a good
one. gotta name her." She reflect
ed deeply, trying out names sound
lessly, with lips moving. "rll call her
Bonnie Geraldine" she said aloud.
This decision, honoring the two |
daughters Of Mrs Weatherstone, was
the highest kind of tribute, being |
spontaneous and given without inten-
ton of fiattery. The young ladies
were only names to Lettie. who had
no more thought of ever seeing a
Weatherstone than she had of glimps-
ing the North pole, rising out of its
cake of ice and bearing aloft the flags
of the various nations that have dis
covered it,
Better call it the Calico Curiosity"
he suggested between slow puffs.
Lettie bit her lips till the color left
them. Taking up two pieces of board.
she propped them together to see If
they would form the conventional
gable roof of a chicken coop. They
would not. With a sigh she discarded
one and took up another.
''You can't do IT," observed the man.
you don't know how"
"Why don't you help me, them"
az? Child, I have better things to
DO"
ayes. you havel" she retorted.
"Such as sinking in the basement
door to see the cross-eyed manr
With his finger on the clasp of his
cigarette case. he paused. Lettie,
watching him calmly, was quick to
see lndt her Slol Hdu tOlu
"And the little man that carries a
.ane," she continued.
IF was in your place." Lettie pro-
.eeded with relish, 81 wouldn't leave
ny machine In the same spot all time. 4.
It's kinder notic'ble, tween them two
eucalyptus trees on EveriGge street.
md Here Bonnie Geraldine" she | II
turning to her new acqui- m
ition, "stop Hopping round so. That
log amt going to hurt you. Here, 90,
God old Fill treat her decent, can't b,
on? You gotta get 'quainted and be
riends. How can / love you both if" pl
She heard steps behind her. Switch O,
1g about, she encountered the white in
niger Of Frank Bosley. FIR
you imp OF satanl" he growled.
Hold your tongue in your head If In
on don't know how to use It, You 1t.
amt never seen me In any such so
lace. If you want to play safe you m
ont get me mixed with somebody re
Sc and go blabbing" flu
Lettie stood up and confronted him TT
polly, thin shoulders thrown back, DO
ark eyes undaunted.
IF 1t wasn't you. what're you get go
ng so mad for? How do you know m,
amt praising you" to
81 don't care what way it's. Who br
er you saw, 'twan't me. D'yoe I'M de
,rstand? You needn't get me mixed in,
} with anybody else" ag
81 hain't got you mixed up, Mr..
'ank Bosley. got your number, vo
Id / know lot I hain't told. | seen sh'
u three fellers more'n once; and VIII
ny you stink, know you're 'shamed 10
something. All is, If you want me me
keep still, you get outa here and got
ep away from Uncle Jerry" 4
With an assumption Of recovered ant
mposure, he returned TO the stump, Vic
ok out another cigarette, struck a bio
itch, and contemplated the child bio
tn well-simulated indifference. ure
Don't worry, sptfire." owl
Lettie was immensely disappointed. ''
Q had thought she was making sha