The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-01-18

nleceS husband not even Ouerlng me
chair to set on, let alone something
to eat, and I've got a feeling of gone
ness that reminds me of one of Cap'n
Sans sea stories-Minny's father, you
know-where shipwrecked crew ate
their boots and chewed sticks to keep
'em alive"
"You see," smiled DIR. John, 81 was
right about our humble vegetable. 1t
appeals to every heart"
"And stomach" said Miss Patten,
walking majestically to the house
at mayn't be proper for me to stop
here, but l guess our age protects us"
"Why, certainly" said DIR. John,
meekly. Its in the very air out here to
do erratic things, but the neighbors in
your town shall never know, swear it. +"
CHAPTERv.
A week later divers office boy, a
frecxled and red-headed youngster by
the name of Sam, changed to Slam by
the much-tried clerks, knocked and
announced hoarsely: Lady to see
yer" He threw such meaning in the
words, his bearing and manner were so
full of dark mystery, Oliver almost ex-
pected Mrs. de Restaud, instead of
Aunt Hannah. No letter had come
from the little lady of the Trouble
some, and that discourtesy showed she
might almost merit her connections
condemnation; it was certainly friv
olous to neglect assuring her preserver
of her safety. The doctor had been es-
pecially unpleasant about it. You
see," he would say, 81 told you there
were two sides to every story; and the
enduring man" The Office boy dragged
a chair near divers desk, and with a
significant look withdrew.
Its either breach er promise or
some Teller wot's cheated her on a land
deal" he said to the clerks as he shut
the door carefully. Il guess there's
meat in it, for the boss grinned when
he see her"
Il hope you have good news, Miss
Pattern Oliver said, eagerly.
IF no news is good have" she an
swered, with a sigh. I've heard from
Mr.. Perkins that keeps the depot, and
he says she amt been there at all, nor
no word come. There want no mail
for me, neither. seen that woman
at Colorado Springs. She says
Minny got there all right, and she
bought her plaid ulster, hat and
some other things, and Minny and the
dog went by train the next day, and
Minny promised to write to her, but
hadn't. The only one that knowed
anything down here was the ticket
seller, who remembered her and said
he sold her a ticket for Chicago. She
must have been afraid her husband
would ask. He said lots of the con-
ductors were discharged about that
time, and that was why, most like, all
1 interviewed hadn't set eyes on her"
''Still, it is almost impossible for
girl to be lost travelling nowadays.
She probably took elaborate precau-
tions, for fear De Restaud would fol-
low her: but if the dog went along she
will be found easy enough"
Il am, as you folks say out here"
said Miss Patten, grimly, going on
the trail, and shall watch out most for
the dog, which l know she'll drag
around with her. don't doubt but l
shall find her when that moneys gone,
Mr.. Oliver; as l told you, she would not
appear until it was all spent. l think
it's my dooty to pay you now"
Don't you think it would be better
to let her settle her own accounts?
She must be taught the value of
money some way; and when you find her
if she is determined not to go back to
her husband you should institute suit
to make him account for her property.
They told me up in the mountains he
was getting rid of it rapidly"
Il hain't in general" sighed Miss
Patten. much liking for having: folks
gifts in jest as rats in a trap, and there
amt much of property left when they
git out-asking your pardon for being
plain spoken, for l always speak my
mind"
You are a little severe on us" he
laughed; ''but l should be happy to adj
wise you in any way, and to recommend
young lawyer know here who would
do well for you. Of course under the
circumstances l myself could do moth
ing"
Il understand; and. Mr.. Oliver. I'll
apologize again. Till see that wom-
an to the springs 1 did half think you
knowed where Minny was; the doctors
joking and your being a city bachelor,
you know, sot me ag'in' you; but here's
my hand in friendship, and I'll send
you word if find Minny."
Thank you. shall be glad to know
she is safe, for sometimes 1 think
may have done wrong in helping her
that night"
''You done right, Mr.. Oliver; and if
she should come to you again-as she
might, having no sense of propriety-
you telegraph me to Newcastle, Me-,
and send her straight home to me. I'm
going to travel bit afore l go home.
On account of taking care of pa and
ma in their old age, l amt seen much
of the world. l cal'late even to stop
awhile in New York, for there was
Blinn there that married a Blake, and
I'll board with her. Now remember,
Mr.. Oliver, she is little young thing,
and you're old enough, L take it, to be
her father, and the world is a cen
serious place. She shan't go back to
him, I'm resolved on that; and being a
divorced woman is bad enough in the
world, without giving no other reasons
for talk"
You can trust me-" he said, soberly;
and after she was gone he sat long in
thought. He wanted the good opinion
of that grim, honest old maid. She
was as unbending as her own granite