Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-09-09
Walter BrOwnfield /;
HE MYSTERY OF PRESTON FLAT.
BY JOHN r. MUsIcK.
lCorfRioHT, 1885. ny THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CoNPANY.l

CHAPTER vII.-CoNTINuED
II wonder what he can be coming
here forP" she asked herself. at must
be some business he has with father. ="
She began to inspect a pan Of dried
beans she was to boil for dinner,
throwing out the imperfect ones and
Keeping only the good; and had for
gotten Bill Martin until n rap at the
Kitchen door warned her that some one
demanded admission. Hastily putting
the pan away she arose and said:
"Come in.
The door opened and Bill Martin en-
tered. No sooner was he within and
the door closed, than that evil grin
which characterized him when he met
our hero in the woods lit up his face.
81 beg pardon, Miss Pinkey," said
Bill, his grin becoming leer of salts
faction. II reely'b beg pardon for this
scemin' intrusi'n, but. We see, / had
some business here and jist come over
''My father is not here" interrupted
iinkcy. 81 presume, presume, il is
he whom you wish 10 see."
beg pardon. Miss Pinkey," and the
look on the face of Bill Martin almost
frightened her. II beg pardon. but it's
not yer father / come to see.
My brother, then?n
mo. mum"
'My mother or some of the hired
mcnP'
''No, Miss Pinkey, wrong agin."
Then, whom do YOU wish to seeP"
"Ye'rself, Miss Pinkey."
"MyselfPn
'Ycs. num-"
sirP"
Bill deliberately took his seat and
removing his hat. said:
don't be skeered. Miss Pinkey, an
don't be in a hurry COS it's all fur yer
good / come here"
"Then. sir. hope you will be in a
hurry with what you have TO say, for /
am very busy"
''Yes'm. know yes a smart gal.
an good gal. so't when l kmow'd
somcthin' We ought to know, / cum
right over TO tell ye."
''If you have any thing to tell, Mr..
Martin, IL would be better that you told
my father"
''No, no. Miss Pinkey, this is a dill
cate matter, an when I've told We all
yell thank me fur IL. Ye wouldn't
keer Tor yer parents TO know what I've
come 20 talk to We about
Pinkey shnddered and dreaded the
worst-come to propose marriage to
herl-her detcstation of him seemed
doubled now. She glanced at him and
saw that he was chuckling while he
watched her from the corners of his
baleful eyes.
''lf you have any thing TO say Mr.
Martin. said the girl, summoning up
all her resolution, ''say and begone,
foI / can assure you that your com
pany Is not at all desirable.
:. No doubt ont, no doubt ont. Miss
Pinkey, " said Bill, laughing. 81 don't
expect ye like me as well as We do some
certain other chap not half as well
know'd in this country as me, and who
left his native town in disgrace"
"What do you mean, sirP"
II mean that young gals are like !
fractions hosses; when they git an idea !
IN their head it's hard to git il out Ye
think I'm loafer COS We don't see me |
with white hands and fixed up in stole |
toggery. fe think tramp's gentle |
man eos he Dxes up like one.
''rm no hand at guessing riddles, |
sir, you'll have to speak plain"
'Ill speak plain, Miss Pinkey. A
sartin young man who has white face
and soft hands, who dresses nice an
looks like a deekin's son, Is hired in a
store. All TO onc't money Is missin'
from the masters till, an Il can't be
proved on him eggsacly, but he hez 10
leave the town, and goes round the
country huntin' work; but no mer-
chant'il hey him"
Iiill paused, and the grin ON his face
while he watched the effect
Of bis words on the beautiful girl.
go ON. she said; "say all you
have 70 say, and you shall bc ex-
cused.
''WalI, then. III come 10 the pint OF
my story at Onc't After trampin' all
over creation he finally wanders into
proston's Flat, whar he bires TO work
Iur farmer with a purity darter. The
,nd ont Is he's seen ridin' 10 mcetin'
with her Then ] say ain't doin' a
good Christian act Of 60 an warn the
yal against hayin' eny thing 10 do wi
Iieh manPN
lie paused, crossed his legs aud
enue1 back IN his chair with an mir Of
Pinkey, who had blushod
loeply during the last speech of the
worthless ALLOW, remained silent for
eYtTal minntes, bill became restless
md uneasy under this prolonged %
|lenee. and ~ length said:
"Nhpt dye 70 say, Miss Pinkcy
wax ! q doin' nehtY
HHaft sou said al you have % sayP'
hf a.kcN