The Delta independent., 1895-10-23

if you talk balderdash all night"
Isl, senora,' gasped the Mexican.
"Yis, do see; and I've mind to re-
port your insolence to the authorities,
for that .see' is all I've got out of you
the whole way. And if we amt
lcagucd over improbable meaders and
everlasting hills this day, and barren
wastes, to last me till die. When
git back cast I'll hate to look at the
settin' sun for getting reminded of this
journey an Minny's misfortunes here.
Now, he being gone, mistcrs," she
said, abruptly, us Juan rode rapidly
away, that Warn, as he calls himself
which of you is the man that made
the mischief in my nephew by mar
riage's family?"
1t was rather an embarrassing ques-
tion. The doctor politely requested
that she sit down and rest, as she
seemed much furried, and they could
talk more comfortably. After sharp
glance at him she consented, sitting
carefully in chair with groan. She
was tall, raw-boned woman, fiat as
an ironing board, tanned and wrinkled,
with strong features, mass of untidy
gray hair and handsome blue eyes
with sly twinkle in them us Il she
could see q joke and make one, too.
Somehow the barren life of New Eng
land brings wit and pathos to the sur
face; OF the first, the dryest, quaint
est sort, as of the other the saddest
and most hopeless. Her ungloved
hands were worls-worn and large
knuckled, hands of that pride of the
village, good housekeeper and one
who has flowers in summer of her own
tending. She pushed an unstable bon
net she wore back on her head and
looked at Oliver severely.
AS she seemed to know, he said, alb
jectly: Il helped Mrs. de Restaud get
to the railroad"
81 didn't need no telling" she an
swcred, promptly. "l'm clean beat out:
/ never rode on an animal before of
any sort or kind. I've got real rheu-
matte pains in my back and shoulders.
1t is hard for woman at my age to
have to gallivate over an unsettled
country hunting connection"
Here are some cushions" said DR..
John, coming out, his arms full. "Those
chairs are uncomfortable. Now, isn't
that bettcr?"
"Yis / suppose I'll eat my meals of
the n1antel piece for week. Now, you
being old and settled like, why couldn't
you have helped Minny?"
because l was not here. Object to
smoking?"
mo, land salses, no; keep the skeet-
ers off, if they be any that kin git
living up here"
''Now, this is cozy," continued the
doctor, lighting his pipe. Oliver sat
down near them. "You see, was
called off to sick woman, and she
died-poor SOUL"
''Of what?" asked the newcomer,
eagerly, all curiosity.
II should say homesicliness il ! told
the truth, but I called it mountain
fever. Well, she was dying, you know.
and here, as Craig is sitting alone over
the fire, comes little lady in a yellow
silk gown mike tod me, Craig; you
needn't think you've been talking in
your sleep. On her white neck are
big ugly bruises, welts from whipare
on her arms, and the little dog she
brings with her has been brutally
kicked. She throws herself at Craig's
feet. and begs him to save her"
''You don't never tell me that evil
little foreigner dared strike Minny Pat
ten!' cried the old lady. "Oh, I'd like
to git my hands on him! All her moth
er's fault-always taking up with
strangers"
ANY man would have helped her."
said Oliver; then he went on and told
what he did, and how he left her safe
ly at the train; he omitted her eccen-
trio farewell-possibly because he had
forgotten it.
"The poor little Bird" sobbed the
old woman, my dead brothers child;
and what n man he yyas!-marster of a
ship at nineteen; and here's his Minny
ne idolizcd living in nowhercs-land
with a crazy Frenchman- put up
with him for months when / visited
here, for her sake; but one day-the
Pattcns is all quick, on my mothers
side I'm Knox, and hist'ry tells what
he was-and slapped Henry right in
the face like he'd been young one.
He set me out the door, and his man
hove my trunk after me. Back had
to ride in springlcss wagon, and, git
ting home, found things going to rack
and ruin with the shiftless folks left
taking care of my house. did advise
Minny to stay, though, Mr.. ohver,
she said, looking at him with her hon
est, kindly gaze. I'm an old-fash-
ioncd woman, SO lowed IL was her
duty; she'd made her bed and had to
lie on it. You can't never tell me a
girl is made to git married in this ken
try, whatever it may be in France, an
Minny is awful frivolous. hain't no
liking for men that sympathizcs with
young wives when they air young an
pretty"
81 should have dragged her back, to
be killed the next time" Craig said,
coldly.
She rose and held out her h2rd,
wrinlslcd hand. "I think you done
noble by her, Mr.. Oliver; and
though by your looks You seem to
be one of them city bachelors that
n. 7