The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-23


way again-and went. considerably TO
every ones astonishment. without putting
bullet through Dan Granger. against
whom he was known to have vowed VEN
ce,and that was the kind of vow Capt.
Phil bad never yet been known 10 break.
Perhaps IL was that, thus fresh from his
acquittal. he thought IL would keep up his
newly whitewashed character for q while.
Perhaps he remembered that revenge can
be eaten cold" and its SAVIOR be mono the
less sweet.
Anyhow. the ilI-boding shadow of Capt.
Phil had not fallen on Dan Changers path
for years.
While Dan rode on his way to Scudder's
with his bag of "dnstn-Otherwise gold
dust-Lucy Granger finished her domestic
duties. and then sat down In q rocking
chair and swayed restfully to ana frc, with
her boy on her lap, her little Rirl playing
with doll by her side.
The entrance door, as usual stood hOsplt-
ably open; and presently they heard foot
step on the bare boards of the little hall,
and the sound of some one trying the
handle of the office door, which opened out
of the hall oil one side. Dan had locked
up his Office as be had a pile of gold dust
and nuggets IN his strong box there. Lucy
got up and opened the parlor door, which
was nearly opposite the office, and looked
out into the hall, Bonnie Boy still In her
arms, Birdie trotting by her side holding
on to her skirts.
The gentleman who was seeking entrance
to the office turned at tho slight sound of
the creak OF the parlor door, and lmmedi-
ately took off his hat with courteous
acknowledgment of her presence.
He was q gentleman. Lucy decided at the
first glance, No rough miner. this His
som brero hat and jack-boots added q touch
OF pioneer plcturesqueness 10 MS appear
ance. Had it not been for them, she
come from the civilization of the outer
world that seemed to lie so far be-
yond them there. He was q tall.
far. good-looking man, with rather
delicate. clear-cut. acquiline features;
q neatly trimmed. golden-tawny beard. and
piercing. deep blue eyes-eyes which rested
pleasantly. with touch of inquirlng sur
prise. fainter touch of admiration, on
Lucy's face. Lucy was very pretty young
woman. tall and well built, with all the
nut brown curls, and great brown eyes
that looked at oil the world with the clear
and llmpid trustfulness OF chlid's gaze at
friend.
Did you wish to see my husbandf" she
asked, with her sweet. frank smile.
Il wish to see Mr.. Granger"
"Yes. that's my husband" she rejoined.
with q shade OF possessive pride. Hes
out just now; Was it on business you
wanted TO see himf"
well, twas partly on matter of little
business" replied the stranger. who spoke
with the slow trainante lntonation of the
south and West, and had o rather low,
mellow. pleasing voice.
If It's anything you want to send. he's
going to Yucca City to-morrow-express
parcels to be sent before z O'clock. But
perhaps you want to see him-to talk To
himf"
well, Ibid want few words with him."
he admitted slowly and retlectively.
Wont You come in and waltz she re-
joined Hospitality. III don't think he'll be
so very long before he's inn
The stranger looked at her and smiled,
but seemed TO hesitate. for he was silent
for few minutes. Smiling still. with @
half-smused. half doubtful expression be-
fore he answered. "Well, as you're so
kind, madam. think will step in awhilen
He stepped in, accordingly. and Lucy in
vited him TO occupy her husbands rocking
chair, while she seated herself in the other
one Bonnie Boy. whom she had set down
while showing the stranger in, climbed
upon her lap, clutching her dress in his
sturdy fists; Birdie leaned against her
knee. keeping an intent gaze of critical in
spection fixed with laree-sizcd solemnity
on the visitor.
lyon have every thing very prettily fixed
here. Mrs. Granger" he observed politely,
glancing round the parl0r, which was, in
deed, avery presentable one tor Blue Lead
Bar. Nothing could we'll have been SIM
pier than the furniture and it's arrange
ment: and the bare wooden walls were in
nOcent of paint or paper, but every thing
was clean as a new pin; the chairs were
covered with pretty bright chintz; q few
enaravings. hung on the walls;
ferns and flowers stood about il
vases on the table and on the
maDtel-piece. over which there was good
sized mirror; last not least. the Grangers'
parlor boosted the luxury of lace curtains
ut the windows. The room, although az
neat as it could be kept without banishipg
every little, cheery sign of the all pervad-
ing presence or the children, had none of
the dreary. unused look of parlor re-
served for beet. Lucy's work basket stood
open by the hearth. and BRIDES doll lay
Imply under the table.
'.Everyt thing real pretty the visitor re-
marked. his eyes taking everything In
with their slow. searching gaze.
''Its very PLAIN" said Luoy. with modest
depreciation that thinly yelled her simple
pride In her home But we've such a
beautiful view outside that often say to
my husband IL don't matter il things are
plain and simple Inside."
There's pretty things to look at inside,
too" he answered. glancing from the moth
er to the children with the unsmilins. bus
not ungentle, gravity We so often ind in
these "Men from the Wcst.o
at satisfactory conclusions with regard TO
the strangers manners and morals. was
Siding towards him, shyly smiling. with
her finger in her mouth. looking IN side.
ways at him from Under the tangle or her
golden curls.
will yOu come to me. little ladyp he
askedf
Birdie nodded and promptly trotted
across To him. laid O tiny hand upon his
knee. and after contemplating him for
moment, as If to ascertain whether he
would bear inspection at close range, OBJ
served. tentatively.
Tinker Jack takes me on his lap"
And will you come on miner
Yes" said Birdie. readily. and imme-
diately climbed up and settled herself CON-
forta bJ on the desired eminence. swing
ing her feet and beating q tatto OH his
shins.
incurred.
Birdie"
Tell the gentleman your full name."
said the Young mother proudly"
"Lucilla Dranger Dan Dranger's itta
daughter" replied the mite. rolling off the
string of syllabies without comma
birdie Is Ler pet NAME" exclaimed
Lucy. II dare say you don't see the 6eriva-
ton OF Birdie from Lucilla."
II own / don't"
laughed Lucy. "She's Birdie for no reason
but just that we got to calling her so.
And this is Bonnie Bov-otherwise Daniel
Washington Granger"
"Dan'l Wossin'ton Granger" repeated
Birdie delightedly. with jump on the Wis
itors knee and n vigorous kick of her small
feet which nearly overset her balance.
''Bo-o-ful watch" she added with n
clutch at his thick. gold cable chain. Me
hear il 60 tick-tick."
The sight of his sister enjoying this treat
made Master Daniel Washington Granger
set mp tremulous cry and struggle from
his mothers arms. He battered across to