The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-08-12
THEHONORABLEANNE

All Ging's welcome when l came, a
bride, TO the ranch was not of the
warmest. The dusky adobe wall, throw
ing him into picturesque relief, he stood
ON the ranch house veranda, his face
full of suppressed excitement.
You telle me-" he muttered, "who
boss, now Mr.. Allandale get mallied:''
"All same as before" was my ready
rejoinder.
The crafty features relaxed and All
Cling disappeared kitchenward, his pig
tail having struck the dominant note in
my first impressions of NaQuero Water.
Cedric smiled at me approvingly.
"Glad you were so diplomatic, else
he'd have left by the morning stage.
It's awfully unromantic, but the drive
has made me beastly hungry. Let's
see what the old chap has for US.
We dined In n long, low room. hung
with spurs and sporting prints, souven-
irs of English days, the happiest couple
in California
In its lack of excitement, ranch life
proved disappointing. Lynchings were
unknown-bandits and desperadoes
conspicuous by their absence.
So life flowed on, smoothly, monoton-
ously. till after the birth of Billikins.
All Cling then announced his departure.
Better girl cook" he declared. NO
likee baby. Heap tlouble. ALE time
ely"
The next celestial left after a hasty
glance at the kitchen wall. ''Me flaid,'
he exclaimed. pointing TO a red hero
glyphic unfortunately unnoticed by us.
"Ah Cling he write, 'Debbil in this
house.
"He meant the baby" suggested
Cedric.
"He say debbil. Me go. No China
boy stay here. Heap scared of debbil.'
"Try a girl" implored Cedric. ITS
no joke driving ten miles day to the
station"
We tried, In turn: Gretchen, who left
within week to learn religion"
Bridget, who declined working under
an Englishman; the widow, whose
tears, as she recounted her woes. siz-
zled over the stove; Dicie. who disliked
low wages though she found no fault
with me: and Samantha, who objected
TO the lack of scenery" Useless to
point out the Brush Hills mellow
charm, distant mountains. Oak-dotted
meadows, Samantha remained obdur-
ate. ut may suit you, Mrs. Allandale,"
she commented pityingly. ''to see 10th
ing but land. | like it like it was in
Tulare. There you kin see houses as
peas in pod an people passin' all day.
That's the scenery for me, so l guess
I'll pack my freight"
Which she proceeded to do, and had
barely driven out of sight when a
young girl. tall, slim and neatly dress
ed stepped on the veranda.
''If you please. ma'am," she quietly
said. Il heard that you wanted girl.
Can have the place."
| heard her history, which was sim
pie. The previous year she had come
from England TO join her brother on a
claim, had fallen Ill, had gone to the
come thence to me. While hearing
these details Cedric returned. But one
conclusion could be drawn from his
utter detection. "No girl; was stamped
on every feature. Samantha had rec
commended me TO Odessa Green, who,
less exacting in regard to scenery. was
willing t. leave the family pig pen for
a months charge. provided the wash
ing was put out, Mrs. Allandale heIped
with the dishes, the afternoons were
free and horse every Sunday was at
her disposal. | knew the type-ignor-
ant, slatternly, familiar. Contrasting
with it the new conner, my resolution
was taken. NO, Cedric, ! have a serv-
ant already"
where did she come from?'
"La Huerta, where she has been in
the hospital"
''Is she pretty?"
THAT is an irrelevant question. Yes.
rather-blue eyes, and short, curly yell
low hair"
You know nothing about her."
'But | know that Billikins has the
whooping cough. ! must nurse him.
and you cannot cook. Help is needed,
and behold Anne"
$50 that's her name"
"Yes; Anne James,"
He still demurred.
Prudence is an admira BILE virtue
Cedric, but you carry it to an extreme"
Cedric yielded, still holding to his
own opinion. keep her! Keep herr
he cried; ''but remember. IL anything
happens, be 1t on your hSad"
Since the days Of All Cling life had
not been worth living. Anne came, and
comfort followed her. Capable, retir-