The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-09-11

image thus readjusted and frightened
returned to her place by the fire.
The image was not indeed unworthy
of approval. A rather petite image it
was with the well-rounded figure, and q
face, which; though somewhat heavy
featured, had the piquant charm Of
clear light gray eyes Swallowed by long
dark lashes,, and contrasted with olive
skin and dark hair Which belong to orbs
Of deeper hue:
She had hardly gained her seat when
her new, acquaintance returned: He
also had transformed his appearance
somewhat by the removal Of his hit and
overcoat, and looked trifle less burly,
though his undercoat made no pretense
Of fitting him. His face presented that
contrast in color common to hat-wear-
ing men who live much out of doors in
warm climates, the forehead being sew
eral shades winter than the cheeks. His
eyes testified that he noted the change
wrought during his absence.
"You look fresh as a posey," he COM
mented, with wide severance of the
whiskers and moustache, which proba-
bly, signided smile. "Wel1, that's all
fixed; here's the key to your room, No.
At; but if you want supper you better
come right along: It's about over. I'm
going in now; s'pose you come with
me-"
She hesitated q moment then arose
and shook her founces.
II won't take off my hat, I guess be-
cause my hair amt very smooth, she
said, as if consulting him.
"You are all right" he returned en-
couragingly, "them es don't like it kin
look the OTHER way, only don't think
much of their taste in women" he add
ed instantly.
The dining room was almost empty
when they entered. and the lordly stew
ard who had jurisdiction there waved
them to seat near one of the stoves.
LAS time I was here" remarked the
gentleman who had registered himself
with sprawling hand that overran all
bounds, as Colonel Sharp, of Neuces
County, "they sot me over there ut the
bachelors table. I'm in big luck to-
night. Now look a. heah, he continu-
ed to the waiter, you jis make out it's
the Gran Dock Elexsis you's waitin'
on an jis everlastinly hurry up things.
You heah?"
The waiter grinned and slid away,
and the colonel again addressed himself
to his companion.
| amt exactly Rooshen Dock, " (the
Grand Duke was at the time flashing
omet-ike about the country, "but
they call me king down my way. /
s'pose you've heard tell of the cattle
kings?"
"Oh, yes, to be sure; and you are
one?"
CHATS what they call me-cattle king
of Neuces county,"
"Neuces county, indeed?" and the
lady looked interested.
! Ever been out that way?"
| mo, never"
"Well, you'd oughter CO." and en-
couraged by her attentive look, he
launched into glowing description,
which quite obscured the cold aud
meagre supper and endured to its end.
Upon their return to the parlor the
lady signified to an attendant her wish
to be shown to No. AZ, and the colonel
also decided to investigate the quarters
assigned to himself. They assembled
together as far rs the second story, but
there the waiter darted down an obscure
passage and throwing open door de-
posted the lady's satchel within, and
then led his remaining charge to high
er regions.
1t was very cold in the narrow little
closet to which she found herself as
signed, and by the time she had taken
| off her hat and rearranged her hair, and
superintendent the placing of her trunk
in the nicely calculated space left va
cant for the purpose, she was shivering
! to such an extent that she determined
| to seek the parlor once more. Half way
down heavy tread behind her made
her look over her shoulder. It was the
colonel also descending.
"Colder'n Lapland, amt it? he said.
"Going to the parlor to get warm; I
reckon I'll go with you"
He seemed to have no dawning of
doubt as to the acceptability of his COM
pany, and indeed she made no obiec-
ton.
The two ladies who occupied easy
chairs before the fire, politely made
room for them; then, finding it difficult
to carry on their interrupted gossip in
the presence of strangers, rose and after
sauntering about the room q few mo-
ments, went out.
"Well, I'm glad they concluded to
leave" said the Colonel. "They didn't
look soclable like. l hate these stuck
up lookin' females that eye you likes eff
they'd never seen the like afore. We've
got the place to ourselves now, an here's
a pianner. Couldn't give us tune,
could ye?"
"Oh, yes" she said willingly, and
taking her place before the open in
strument she dashed at once into one of
those compositions usually labelled
Moroccan dc Concert" Her auditor
listened but not with interest.
'.That's pretty good, he said indiffer-
emily. II spose you couldn't play
Listen to the hooking Bird, could ye?
know lady down my way ct KIN jis'
knock that tune off like smoke"
She laughed good naturally, and at
once began the variations upon "Auld
Lang Syne," which so inexplicably in
PRODUCES the other ouce popular mel
ody.
She played with fluent ease and
brillancy that showed industrious prac-
tice, bringing out her melody we'll
through all the labyrinth of runs, arpeg-
gios and tremolos devised for it by the
ingenious author.
The colonel sat entranced, the aper-
ture between moustache and whisker
widened to degree that gave his coun-
tenance quite cavernous aspect.
"Bully!" he cried when she had fin
ished. ''That jis' bangs the Wilder
Bates all to thunder. You amt mar
ried? 1865.
Eyes am" she said, nodding her
head and glancing at him mischievously.
"No! by thunder, that's too bad |!
You fill the bill almos' to q har, you do.
I did say she shu'd have this yer fine
yeller hair cts goin' about now, but that
amt no great matter much eff she's got
style an kin play the pianner, an that
! vo,, kin iis' ovor1aakin'lv 6n norkor