The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1924-12-26
"At the Gate Of
Heaven"
By MARTHA WILLIAMS

in the awfulest hurry, / am" he rar
| on. Were shy band, you see. sc
I'm after Old Shed and his crew befo
they git snapped up"
| On your way! Quick-and then
| somel Hurry Hurrree I" Joy Viii
| cox chanted from the porch steps,
| waving him away with both hands
| Joe grinned happily, swung his hat
high with his best flourish, and gall
Topped down the long shady lane. He
had lost sleep in his fear of being
too late-that town fellow, Roger FL
ton, had been rushing Joy so hard
ever since he landed at his uncle's,
three days back.
Joe was fair-minded He admitted
TO himself that under other conditions
Roger wouldn't be wholly bad sort
Say as q brother-in-law. Just right
Tor Peggy Gentry-if only he would
think So Peg was mighty pretty
even prettier than JOY; also she was
wild for towns, travel what she called
seeing life The fact had worried Brer
Joe no little. Roger could give her
these desires of her heart If only he
providence. Joe stood ready to dover
Peg with his one big winning, the
Neelfoot Stake, plus the astounding
price of Light Heels, the unexpected
| winner.
Old Shed swore by his conjure-bag |
to BE dar Saddy night, right at chick
, en-roost time, wild three fiddles, er
banjo, er gittar an de triangle" So
after dinner-the hour was noon. I'M
derstand-he flung himself full length
IN the hammock as happy as he was
tired
Peg, framed in the doorway, looked
ostentatiously over his head, saying
carelessly: "Joy is giving herself sur
prise party tonight, and wants us to
come. Are you too tired?"
Won't be after 1 snOoze an hour"
from Joe drowsily-then suddenly
wide-awake: did she tell you who
else is comin'?"
Everybody in three miles round 9
with the Eltons for good MEASURE c
Peg answered. Looks to me her cap :
is set Roger-fashion, and pinned fast
and tight. l don't see such a much
in him-do your? t.
Yes, d-n him!" Joe exploded
He's got manners, looks money to
spend as he likes; he knows things
we never heard of-but he shan't have
Joy-Ill scalp him first"
"Don't!" Peg counseled, grave. but
.winkling "The best people don't
wear scalp locks any more. Besides.
twould be mean to crab Tommy No 9
ems act"
Good Lord Why?' Joe demanded n
I'm why" Peg giggled. "Tommy's v
o crazy about me he thinks Roger is ,c
tuck on me, too" q
Joe sprung up laughing In spite of Y
imself. Il wish Tommy was a seer. n;
SAID mySteriOuSly. "Say, Peg, If ! olt
knew what he was talkin' about,
hat would you say?"
III say to you, oh, you goosepn
eg flung over her shoulder as she
IN away
The surprise party went with a H.
sh. Dancing on the piazza, cards in of
e living room, solitudes for two on !
inches out in moonlit shade. JOY was SIS SIS
marvellous hostess-she played no In
vorites-not even Roger. Joe adj thu
tied as much to himself, but grudg s
ely. Certainly Rogers eyes chung
her wherever she moved, entreat-
ely, almost despairingly, it seemed.
ny two In the morning there re-
lined only the patient Wilcoxes, the
rsistent Tommy Nolen, Roger, Joe
d Peggy. She had been In wild spir-
all evenings now she crouched at
end of the huge mahogany sofa,
: eyes downcast, her face musing
mhy and Roger. making caryatides
themselves, stood either side the
chImney-piece, making talk
oorately, but evidently with ears
lined toward the piazza, whittier JOY
dragged Joe-without much trou-
only the ears had been long
ugh, fine enough, they would have
I'd this: Joe, you must help-I
t know how to ask 1t-but IT.,
1T Roger"
Well, what about himY Joe
med.
--I-that is-we feel rather re-
sible for him-Tommy Nolen is .
'ey-fiat-but donkeys can kick
ltfully. you know"
WHAT'S Tommy got to do with Ro
from Joe breathlessly.
'hy--dont you know he swears
kill hirn-for cutting him out with
plosive silence-then a howl of
tier, rush Of feet-Joy fell upon
ny crying: "Come OUT Come
Nobody has proposed to me to-