Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-07-05

nearer the blushing Mandy.
"Fd rather not, SAM" she replied,
hanging her head in modesty at calling
him for the first time by his given name.
"Of course, Mandy, if it's a secret |
don't want to hear it; it's none of my
bizness no how, reckon, is it, Mandy
and Sans arm began a cautious jour
ney around Miss Mandy's apron strings.
Mandy (unconsciously, no doubt help
ed Sans arm along little by leaning
toward him, as she answered.:
well, Sam, | guess you won't tell
anybody if tell you. Van Jones's ben
tryin his best to get me to have him,
and jest p'intedly told him he couldn't.
He then wanted to know if | thought
more of some one else, and told him it
didn't consarn him. had ter threaten
to call pa before he'd leave. He were
powerfully disap'inted when | give him
no for an answer. I've allus thought
purity well of Van as a friend, but I'm
afraid if his dander's up he'll do some
thin mean"
"And what did you refuse Van fer,
Mandy?" said Sam as he gave the girl q
sly squeeze.
"How kin yer ask, Sam? Didn't yer
know kase why? Kin woman marry a
man she don't luv?"
"Then yer didn't luv Van, Mandy, is
that fac, an couldn't yer if he'd mar
ried yer?"
"No, Sam, never could" and Mandy
looked at the floor as she spoke.
MANDY, if yer don't and can't luv
Van, and yer amt luvin anybody else,
how, ,er-an-er-humph! would yer like
ter
"Like ter what?" softly asked Mandy.
"As wus goin on ter say, Mandy"
and he took one of her hands in his as
he continued, "as | wus goin on ter say
if yer don't luv Van, and yer have told
him to go, how'd it be if er-l-er-wus
ter AK Here Sam stopped stock still,
as if he was unable to proceed any far
ther.
Mandy beaIned encouragingly on him
and smiling one of her sweetest smiles,
said:
What wus yer goin ter say, Sam?
Yer needn't ter be bit uneasy, Sam,
fer l won't say word about it ter any
body, if it's secret"
"Well, as | wus a-sayin, Mandy, if
yer don't like any other feller better
than yer do me-would er-er-yer mind
o havin me?" and Sam broke down COM
pletely.
Mandy turned as red as hollyhock,
and it seemed to Sam that the weight of
her shoulder increased as it rested heavi-
ly against him. Whether he feared
that he could not thus support her
weight OF that she would fall, he sud
denly clasped her in his arms. She
threw her arms around his neck and
sweetly whispered in his ear, 81 luv yer,
Sam, and I'll have yer"
Apair of wicked eyes CLEANED through
the single, uncurtained window at the
picture. The eyes were those OF Van
Jones.
"Ahl yer there, are yer, blast yery"
re ground between his teeth. "Well,
I'd like ter kill yer both. but I'll not do
1t tonight. But know what | can do;
/ can spile the beauty of this yer fine
mare O his'n. He'll never know who
dun it," and walking to where Sans
mare stood patiently awaiting her mas
ter's return, he whipped his knife from
his pocket and in another instant cut off
both of the poor animals ears close to
her head.
"There now," he growled to himself.
'Sam Gray, know that'll almost kill
yer when ye see it. wish to God it
would" and the brute skunk off in the
darkness to his den.
When Sam Gray on the following
morning discovered the Disagreement of
his best horse-by the loss of both her
ears-he was the maddest man in "seven
states" Yet he held his tongue. Sam
was not man to make threats. He was
q reticent fellow and kept his troubles
to himself. But he was mad, and in his
heart he swore to be revenged on the one
who had perpetrated the outrage. The
first person whom he suspected was Van
Jones. He knew his rivals dastardly
nature full WELL
He took out his claspknife and care
fully examined its edge. 1t seemed to
be satisfactory. Without saying word
to any one he leisurely walked into
Vans shop. The latter was pumping
away at his bellows.
"Van," he began, "ye've cut off my
mares ears, and I've come here to settle
with yer"
81 didn't do anything of the kind, Sam
Gray, and yer know it," snarled Van.
81 didn't come ter argy with yer,
Van. Git down ON yer knees" and as
he spoke Sam threw the cold muzzle OF
his pistol in Vans face.
"Good God! yer not goin to kill me,
air yer, Sam?" piteously cried the cring-
ing coward as he sank to his knees.
Lord, Sam, don't kill me! Fer mercy
sake, take that pistol away from my
headr'
"Yer didn't have any mercy on my
mare, Van. But yer needn't ter be
afraid. | amt ter goin to kill yer, bus
I've great mind ter. I'm just goin to
trim them ears O. yers like yer trimmed
the Mares"
With the pistol still leveled at Vans
head, Sam drew his knife from his
pocket, opened it with his teeth, and
with two rapid strokes the mans ears
lay upon the ground. Turning to tho
horritied wretch, who seemed hardly
conscious Of his condition, Sam said,
''That makes us even up ter date, van,"
and left the shop.-Arkausaw Traveller.
The Sense Of Sight.