The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-04-08

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"Whdt is DOuT heorD about this Thing,
CdntrCllF'
a young girl was perched upon stool,
knitting her brows over dogs cared
account book.
"Howdy, Lafe?" she said, getting
down to open the pouch.
Purity toler'ble. Whar's you uns
pawr?"
II don't know-down to Lukens.
reckon "
She pulled the strap through the sta
pies and, dumping the mail on the
counter, began to cali it off to the group
of expectant loungers and townspeo-
pie, keeping up desultory conversation
with the mail carrier at the same time
doc Parks, Many Collin, John Ire
vor-what-all news is there down at
Vigo, Lafe?"
"Nothin much, not as | heerd.
you'd new hear anything, nohow-
JEFF Greer-Eph Sanders-here's II let
ter for you-all, Eph-hawss gone lame,
Lafe?'
mo. Why
Thought you-all seemed sort of
tired-Bud Gordon--Wiley Pryor
LATE Strengthened up, and then
thought better OF It, rcsuming his loung
ing position on the counter because it
brought him nearer to her. She went
on calling the NAMES, and he watched
her dexterous fingers juggling the let
tiers and stole occasional Chances under
/ the brim of his soft hat at her face. 1t
was face for which the language pro-
vides no adjective Pretty" is too
trivial Beautiful" is too fine. 1t was
"a face on which strength of character
was written very legibly and yet with
out maIring its womanly attractiveness;
dark eyes that Knocked Oftener than they
caressed; finely penciled brows masses
of dark hair gathered back into Il heavy
knot which was transtxed by Il lead
pencil; nose that would have been
pert without the correcting suggestion
of firmness about the mouth and chin;
young woman who would rise TO her
opportunities one would say, adding the
saving clause that she would probably
to pass by on the other side.
When the last of the expectant ones
had gone, LATE asked, Have you told
you uns pawr yet, Williey"
moo. Seems like you're in II power
full hurry, LATE. "
Reckon | have TO be- don't I?''
She twisted the ring ON her finger and
smiled down upon him There's plenty
of time. Then suddenly, Where did
you-all get this--get this ring, Lafe?'
Bought hit, of course Whar did you
low | got hit?"
II didn't know. was Just thinkir
of John Cony and Annie Hester. He
lowed to get her n ring and says he
sent to Nashville for it. 1t new did
come, and now Annie she don't believe
he ever meant to get it, and she won't
so much as say HowfyY to him. Didn't
you all hear about 1t down at Graft
ville;"
Lafe's lips said mo" but he looked
up into her eyes and changed it Il
Yes, Then some one came in, art
there was no more said about JOIN
Corny or his ring.
The dew was still on the grass tho
following morning when LATE called "a
Godfrey store for the mail pouch, The
girl brought it out to him.
Lookout you all don't fall off the
hawss, " she said, mocking him. Ant
then, by way Of compensation, Maybe
I'll tell paw before Friday"
IL wisht you would, Willie. Seemt
like | cayn't look him in the face III
mo- till you do He wouldn't take nothiI
from me, but he'll listen at you.
Maybe, was all she would say
But she stood on the porch and watched
him rs long AS he was in sight
Granville WAS the first office on thu
return route, and when the carrier wen
in with the mail the postmaster wa
busy, When he got around to the gov
emment's business, he made u show o
huTying, He was relocking the pouch
when farmer drove up and came il
with letter in his hand.
Hold up minute, Mr., Johnson
got letter to go in thar, and 1 reckon
it'll have 10 be registered.
"Cayn't take it now nohow; mail
all ready to 60"
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