The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-09-10
Walter Brownfield /;
THE MYSTERY OF PRESTON FLA
BY JOHN r. MUSICK.
kCoPYRloHT, 1886, BY THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CONPAxY.1

NEWSPAPER CONPAxY.1
CHAPTER vII.-CoNTIKUED
81 wonder what he can be coming
here fpr?" she asked herself. '.it mus
be some business he has with father.
She began to inspect 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 rap at the
kitchen door warned her that some one
demanded admission. Hastily putting
the pan away she arose and said
ssCome 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 me,
our hero in the woods lit up his face.
81 beg pardon, Miss Pinkey," said
Bill, his grin becoming a lecr of salts
faction. II RELY beg pardon for this
secmin' intrusi'n, but. We see, l had
some business here and jist come over
''My father is not here" interrupted
Pinkey. 81 presume. presume. it is
ne wnOm you WISH 10 see.
"Beg pardon, Miss Pinkey." and the
look on the face of Bill Martin almost
frightened her. Il beg pardon, but it's
not yer father come to see."
my brother. then?'
'No, num-
my mother or some of the hired
men?''
"No. Miss Pinkey, wrong agin."
''Then, whom do YOU wish to sce?''
'Ye'rself, Miss Pinkey."
..Myself?'
"Tes. num-"
"What do You wish to see me about,
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 l come here"
'Then, sir. hope you will be in a
hurry with what you have to say, for
am very busy"
"Yes'm, L know yes smart gal.
an good gal. so't when know'd
somethin' We ought to know, l cum
right over to tell ye."
IF you have any thing to tell. Mr..
Martin. it would be better that you told
my father"
"No, no, Miss Pinkey. this is dill.
cate matter, an when I've told We all
veil thank me fur it. Ye wouldn't
keer for yer parents to know what I've
come to talk to We about"
Pinkey shuddered and dreaded the
worst-come to propose marriage to
ler!-her detestation 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.
"n you have any thing to say Mr.
Martin" said the girl, summoning W
all her resolution, ''say and begOne
for I can assure You that your com
pany is not at all desirable"
mo doubt ont, no doubt ont. Mis-
Pinkey," said Bill, laughing. Il dom
expect We like me as we'll as We do som,
certain other chap not half as wei
know'd in this country as me, and wht
left his native town in disgrace.
"What do you mean, sir?"
| Il mean that young gals are lik'
fractions HOSES; when they git an ide;
I'm their head it's hard to git it out. Y
think I'm a loafer COS We don't see m,
with white hands and fixed up in stol,
toggery. Yc think tramp's gentle
man COS he fixes up like one."
I'm no hand at guessing riddles
sir, you'll have to speak plain.
I'm speak plain, Miss Pinkey. 1
sartin young man who has white fac
and soft hands, who dresses nice an
looks like deekin's son, is hired in
store. All to onc't money is missin
proved on him eggsacly, but he hez t
leave the town, and goes round tn
country huntin' work; but no mer
chant'll hev him"
Bill paused, and the grin on his fac
broadened while he watched the effec
of his words on the beautiful girl.
go on" she said; "say all yo'
have to say, and you shall be eS
cused."
..Wall, then, I'll come to the pins Q
my story at onc't After trsmpin' al
over creation he finally wanders int
f-eston's Flat, whar he hires to wOr
fur farmer with purity darter. Th
end oE't is he's seen ridin' to meetir
with her. Then say amt dom
good Christian act eff go an warn tn
gal against havin' eny thing to do WI
SIGH man?'
He paused, crossed his legs an
leaned back in his chair with an air {
satisfaction. Pinkey, who had blushe
deeply during the last speech of tn
worthless fellow, remained silent TO
several minutes. Bill became restles
and uneasy under this prolonge
silence, and at length said:
"What dye We say, Miss Pinkey
war a dom right?"
Shave you said all you have to say 1?
she asked.
81 spect hev," he answered, with
grin. 'War doin' right?"
Il can not answer at present. Ial
much obliged to you for your intere:
on nv account and will excuse yo
from further trouble. Good-day, MI
Martin" said Pinkey, opening the doc
for him to depart.
''Good-day, miss, suflenly returne
Bill, passing out and started across til
field.
20 the detestable wretchr' she cried
throwing herself into chair and burs
ing into tears.
"Wht did he come here at this time?
In the meanwhile Bill was walkin
across the meadows musing with hin
self:
s'Guess I've sowed the seeds and thew
take root an grow. She'll inquire VIII
he is, an she'll drap him like a he
tater when she finds him out Waite