Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-07-07
Tie parson acknowledged that he was

Tie parson acknowledged that he was
along. whereat Mrs. Cmckasaw John
looked him over curiously us if endeav-
oring to find that statement verified in
some way by the absence Of clothes.
They didn't tech our clothes" con-
tinued the minister, nor our shoes nei-
Their. cOnsc!;cntly they didn't git bat a
little of my money. | had 1t down my
sock leg. though if the rest had "A done
likewise they might "a made us all strip.
But they didn't seem to s'pishion me-"
And so you was really there" Chick
asaw Johns wife grew sympathetic at
once Dear Lord! And they rounded
80 up rough, reckon. Well, well.
Keep your seat. Arizony. Ill get the
parson Il bite. Iou must be hungry at
ter goin through all that. We haint got
nuthin much to eat. but sech as it
s"-
She turned away with melancholy
nod, as if regretting the necessity Of
such explanations, or that nothing better
was at hand for IL hungry man. and he
= preacher too.
"Arizony." pleaded the parson, regard
ing her solicitously as she sat gazing out
absentmindedly over the struggling
camp to where the reddish brown undula-
ton of distant prairie melted into gray
horizon: "Arizony," said he. Il wish you
would tell me more about this man you
are goin to marry. Has he got any kin
back in VirginnyY
Il don't know for certain. | rather
think he has, but out west here we gem
orally don't care as much where a man
comes from as the way he pans out after
we get to know him-see? Burl is all
right. But-tell me. was my poor moth
er sick long?"
Il think she'd been ailin good while.
but she wouldn't let on till she had to,
and when she was finally took down she
went fast. Doctor said it was pneumony,
ana that. with her material weakness and
her many discouragements, sent her into
gallopin consumption. She talked
about you to the last, and she wanted
you to leave the nation and go back
there. You've got property in Virginny
now. Arizony."
81 wish Burl would let me go, but he
won't, know"
There was some Yates over on Smoky
run, near Ooltenah," said the parson
ruminatively. "They and the Eakins
fell out years and years ago Did you
know your own mothers father was shot
down by Yates when you We're baby?
That Yates Teller was nuthin but lad
then. and he ran away and hain't been
heerd Of since"
Seems to me did hear mother speak
Of it, but what have we got to do with
these old quarrels!"
THAT there Yates boy" here the par
sons hand closed gently over Arizony's.
lie was called Burl. think. Yes. I'm
most sure he was. Didn't you never
hear that!"
Arizony pushed herself away from the
parsons side. An indignant fire CLEANED
through the tears that yet fingered in
her eyes.
Have you come way here from my
dead mothers grave-Offering your love,
asking me to call you father-only to tel
the these things? And of Burl too? Oh
ts-it's-hardly Christian to s'pishior
and Islander any man behind his back!'
Child, child" exclaimed Parson Til
ney, much disconnected. don't judge toe
hasty What say say only for YOU
good, as God gives me-blind and halt
ing that am-the power to see and un
derstand. This may be another man
hope it is-yet my mind misgives me
Tell me this, Arizony. We will pray fol
the best, but if the worst comes wan
you to be guided by me. I'm veal
old man. know-strong only in desires
for your happiness. Iloved your mother
when she was like as you are now. LIE
that love, which still endures aud extends
. TO you. be n surety that seek only you
good. AS your friend-as your mother
husband-and by the affection bear yo,
both. beg you. Arizony. to DO guided
by me-"
but the idea that he could look upol
Burl with distrust was severe tax upol
her regard for her new father. She re
garded him coldly. Grief for the tim
,, was hardened into moroseness by suspi
zion. Yet of what could she suspect thi
| tilOUeuSiH6 Oiu Hltii, WIN Iiitu Coiic on
miles for her sake alone? He had moth
ing to gain through Intentionally falls
imputations Then she sighed heavil.
and again looked out over the prairie.
81 don't ask much" continued tn
parson. once more taking her hand
though he found it cold and nerveles
q now "If he is not proved to be utterl
unworthy. | say nothing. But in tn
other event. how could you sleep. or eve
, breathe contentedly, under the mora
! consequences of such a union. All na
! ture would cry out against
There" she exclaimed, THAT will dc
i know him better than you. You alarI
, yourself needlessly. Burl will not spar
me. nor-God help us!-can spare him
" You must never speak of this again-d
you hear. father? See! l call you ia
a thcr. No. you must never. never spea
in this way again"
Never he said solemnly.
:. His manner was earnest, impresslv
and fatherly. but Arizony shook he
!, head, flung out her hand in protestin
gesture and fed from his presence. leaN
ing him greatly discomposed.
40 h C.nit,nus...I