Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-05-21


don't know what to say to Percy, but
win try a little strategy and see il
he can be kept at home more. If that
won't do can talk TO him.
And here began my connection
with Shortys love affair That even.
lug was writing busily when some
one opened the door of my den and
walked in. II was Shorty. He sat
down quietly and took up a paper,
which he looked Mt for several min
utes while scratched away at my
work. Then he threw the paper
down suddenly. and turned to me
with. "Faber, what was old Parker
here for todayf"
tried to dissemble, but Shorty is
nobody's fool. and interrupted. "Oh,
rot |" said he; Il reckon you think
I'm sucker. Now, honestly. what
was he here for7"
Finally told him about the con
versation between his brother and
Parker He sat silent for several
minutes. ] could see his face twitch.
Then he turned his eyes to my face
and said slowly: "Faber. | know I'm
young and all that, butt know my
own mind Jacks a good brother
and feels in duty bound to take care
of me, but l guess | can tend to that
myself live made up my mind
to marry that girl if she'll have me,
and all the Jacks and Sam Parkers in
the world can't stop me-" And Mr..
Percival Fleming set his mouth hard
and walked out. He called at Par
ker's the next evening despite Jacks
strategy"
There was another caller at Par,
ker's that evening in the person of
Morris Cottrell, a wealthy rancher
from up the Five Mile" Shorty,
when he got home, mentioned this
fact to me, with some feeling in his
tones. Cottrell was no old duffer.
He was a man of thirty, well read
and a gentleman, and the prospect of
having him for a rival would have
sent despair to the heart of any pen
niless young man less determined
than Shorty Fleming.
For two or three months Shorty
continued his calls at Parker's, grow
ing more and more gloomy and say.
age as the days went by, for old Sam
Parker was something of strategist,
and managed to keep the poor Lad
from getting a single private inter
view with Nettie, thereby giving Cot
trell clear field, which was evident
ly satisfactory TO the latter. although
he did not seem to make much prog
ress.
One evening Shorty came to my
room in a state of mind. He had
seen Sam Parker that day, and the
latter had told him. as gently as pos
sible, some CALLING truths about his
age and his penniless condition, con-
cluding with the cheerful informa-
ton that he ''reckoned Net he'd bout
decided t take up with Cottrel, any
heow."
OF course Shorty was despondent,
but he was none the less determined.
''Faber, I'm going to see her tomor
row afternoon, and-and ask her."
The time and the hour favored
Shorty, but l hardly think Nettie
knew her own mind. The boy who
came riding slowly home through
the shadows next evening was a
very much downcast boy indeed.
He told me all about it later; how
Nettie had wavered, and finally told
him that she could give him no an
swer. She cared a great deal for
him, she said, but she was not sure
she cared enough for him. Besides,
her father objected to him, and she
could never cross her fathers wishes,
when he had done so much for her.
Sam Parker must have heard of
this interview. and made up his mind
to something. Although he was
usually so good natured, he was as
determined as bull dog, and think
he used some influence in deciding
matters, for two weeks later he
dropped in" to tell Jack that Nettie
and Cottrell would be married on
Thanksgiving day, two months later.
Shorty must have seen the news in
my face, for after supper he drew
me aside and asked what l knew.
hated to tell him. but did so the
best way | could. The poor lad
stood still as stone for several sec
onds Then, with shuddering sob,
he turned away. In the morning he
was gone, with his horse and clothes,
leaving no word.
Jack and Joe, the other brother,
were much worried but, as Jack
now for the first time acknowledged,
the boy could take care of himself
Jack and l talked it over during
the day, and he expressed good deal
of regret, thinking, however, that
Nettie had decided for herself, and
that Shorty had no one to blame for
his failure. IF it had been differ
ent," he went on, 'and Percy had
persevered and won, l would have
given in, and think Parker would
too, for next year Percy will come
into about fifteen thousand. You
see, I've never told him of it, because
| wanted him TO grow up ON his
merits and be self reliant. think it
has been for the best. Joe never
knew until he was of age that he had
anything, and we didn't tell Percy of
4.