Concerning Sally

matter in hand and attended to it with the thoroughness usual in cases in which it undertakes to attend to anything. For Sally awoke the next morning to find her world bound fast in ice. E

crust, her lip curled a little. She didn't think much of a tree which couldn't hold itself up. It seemed to her too much like saving yourself at the price of your self-respect. Better be a self-respecting, upstanding tree, even

ally resulted in reducing Mrs. Ladue to tears as soon as she had gained the seclusion of her own room. It was not that Professor Ladue held his wife accountable for such things as heavy snowstorms or sleet-storms-upon full consideration. Such things are usually denominated "acts of God," and, in contracts, the co

ed of being reduced to tears on such occasions and had more confidence in Sally than she had in herself. Certainly the professor was less apt to indulge his taste for acid sarcasm with Sally. There is

Sally," he sa

er cheeks in a flood. That was a greater effect than could have been produced by

econd, then, yielding to her impulse, she put her arm around his neck and kissed hi

against as an act of God,-he was so thoroughly astonished, I say, that he spilled some of the coffee

at the weather can do when it tries. Only yesterday afternoon, bare gr

p?" Sal

tchers, now. Just think of that, Sally. No meat until spring. How will you like that? We should have been keeping chickens and pigs and we ought to have cows and a calf or two. Then I

ively. "I haven't heard a train t

ou don't have to take

ne. "Very just, Sally. I don't have to take them

chuckle came from Sally. She said nothing, but waited for her father to

uantity alone." He pointed to Sally's plate and to Charlie's. Charlie had been eating industriously ever since he sat down

er at Charlie, who emi

with my little s

shoveling with your little snow-shovel, Charlie. See that you do good work with it. And S

Charlie, who beg

robably better for my health than it would be with cream. For, do you know, Sally, I am well convinced that cream with coffee forms quite another substance, w

e finished, the smile grew into a chuckle and she choked. Charlie, having taken an extraordinarily

s your attention. He needs it rather badly, it seems to me."

n the back. That measure being ineffective

race," he

e asked. "Why, my dear boy, I shouldn't stand a ghost of a c

w-shovel an' Sally have the middle-sized shovel an' I have the l

er returned. "But it would hardly be fair to start us all

not knowing in the lea

"What is a handicap

her exp

fair, doesn't it? Every one has as much chance of

cing-of any kind, that it is just as well you shouldn't know. So I will not try to explain.

be put off. "Why doesn'

y other reply, the door opened softly. He welcomed the opening of the door. It put a

ned the door, but it is to be supposed that he knew. Sally jumped up

asantly. "We are all glad to see y

would have tried that manner oftener. It produced much effect with li

tating a little; "I do feel very much better. I heard

apologize, or we shall have to believe that you

nd she looked almost shyly at her husband. Sally was gazing at her mother, but not i

y pretty, mother

deeper. "Hush, dear," she whispered in

be happy," Sally whisp

these whispers. He might have heard, but he gave no sig

ould have done if he had waked up some morning and found his swamp

erested. "Would he

r, getting up and walking t

some thought. "I don't

ain. Next

l. He looked up in surpri

ttle lizard have

is mouthful very nearly whole. Then he gas

big place-" he began. Then an idea seemed to strike him and he stopp

The professor turned and regarded his son curiously. "I sho

answered. "Couldn't wake up this mornin

ust observation," he remarked. "

r. "I'm through my breakfast,"

to eat slowly, masticate your food well, refrain from drinking when you are thirsty, and stan

ssor going and a desire-an inexplicable desire-on his part to keep her in her state of happiness. It was seldom possible to account for his actions. At all events, he was accomplishing that end. It was a great pity that hi

nd cheerful flow of irresponsible talk, and loafing conscientiously for half an hour. Mrs. Ladue sat st

e cellar stairs, sounding like distant

lar? Not that I care," he added, with a wave of his cigarette. "Mere cu

ng time since the professor had heard

are opening the cellar do

room swung open suddenly and Charlie entered, earnest and intent and covered with dust

for him. "O

father," he said, "an' Sally's. I couldn't

I gathered," he replied

e all over dust and so are the shov

his mission ended. Now he leaned over and thoughtfull

dark an' I couldn't see. Besides, the snow'll clean 'em. I want to shove

ay his cigarette, "in the words of Fria