The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-10-04

self with tremendous efrort, she took
up the defense at random.
he didn't bite you"
he did, too" maintained Mr.. Wop.
PIE out with a subtle lack of convic
lion- which Lettie's sharpened senses
pounced upon.
snow me where" demanded Lettie.
with an anxious eye on FIJI Caesar. who
was standing by during the suspension
OF nostilities, waiting for the signal to
begin again.
he didn't bite you t ALL" repeated
Lettie, with growing assurance.
he did. too, but he amt never goin'
TO again. Darn himl" His eyes
searched the ground; he stopped.
Don't you darel" cried Lettie.
Don't you dare! Just you let Fill
alone, and / won't never"
But Mr.. Wopple had found stone
that suited him, and without chang
ing position had let 1t fly. 1t caught
the unsuspecting Filibuster on a front
leg. There was yelp of pain from
FIJI, screech of rage from Lettie.
oh! Oh! You've hit him. You've
killed him."
Mr.. Wopple reached for another
stone.
F1libuster Caesar, by no means
Killed but rendered strikingly discreet,
nmped swiftly out of range. Lettie
heard him; but beyond realizing that
ne was able to move, she paid him no
attention. Instead. she faced her
neighbor with fury that gave him
pause. Her thin chest rising on a
high wave Of anger, her cheeks fam.
Ing. her black eyes shooting danger
sparks, She was beside herself with
contempt and wrath.
"You beast" she screamed. ITO
hit dog You're worse'n no good,
Penzie says she don't see why the
Lord ever made you Sol"
"Wha-at" gasped the astounded
Mr.. Wopple. for the moment over.
whelmed by this revelation.
"Yi! VI" shrieked Lettie. THAT
got you, didn't It? I'll give you some
more. nj" With a quick swoop,
she picked up stick and threw 1t.
1t glanced past Mr.. Wopple and struck
a window behind him, shattering the
glass; but Lettie, blinded by rage,
scarcely noted the disaster. She dart
ed here and there in search of a sec
ond missile, relieving her feelings
with all the stormy phrases she could
think Of
"Penzie hates you-hates you!" she
repeated, having produced more effect
with this information than with any
thing else she had tried. "She loves
most everybody, but she hates you.
She says she don't know why the
Lord ever"
"Lettiel"
The one word had an astonishing
effect-not merely upon Lettie but
upon Mr.. Wopple. His conduct under
went immediate reversal. He did not
glance at Mrs Penfield, who had come
quietly around the house and was
still standing on the community
walk rather, his attention was wholly
absorbed by matters in his own yard.
With nervous jerks he detached the
old hose and coiled it carefully, an
operation noticeably contrary to his
custom.
As for Lettie, Mrs. Penfield's voice
had been to her like the breaking of
a SPELL She went suddenly limp.
Rage dropped out of her face; frenzy
released Its hold of her muscles; a
strange expression took the place OF
anger in her eyes-an expression OF
realization, Of frightened dismay.
''Lettie, go into the house"
Lettie went.
For a brief space Mrs. Penfield did
not move. Her troubled eyes Travelled
from one bit of testimony to another
Its a nice day, Mis- Penfield. ain,
itY' volunteered Mr. Wopple ingra
tiatingly.
She did not reply; she seemed MOI
to hear. Slowly she came forward.
"You seem to have watered lot
in one place." she observed presently
"And thank you for sprinkling my
yard, too."
"Well, now. see here, Mis- Penfield
you wait a minute and I'll tell yOr
how twas"
at isn't necessary" she interposed
'Iettie'll tell me-"
"Sure she'll tell you her side. Bu
you can't trust little vixen like
that"
'T can always trust Lettie, Mr.
Wopple. That's the reason go
faith in her. So long as you can trus'
person, you got something mighty
firm to pin to. One thing like bou
Lettie is: she don't never try to hide
behind somebody else."
"Say, now. l want Say. Mis-
~ al