The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1899-06-17

too prcoccupicd and bewildercd to re.
sent his Hrst intrusion behind the par
tition, but this last familiarity with hel
sacred official property albeit empty
capped The climax Of her wrongs
Glow dare you touch it?'' she said,
indignantly. Elbow dare you como ID
here2 Who ara you. anyway Go out.
side at oncer
The stranger fell back with an amused
deprecatory gesture, and long, silent
laugh. "I'm afraid you don't know me,
after allF' he said. pleasantly ,'1'm
Harry Home, the department agent
from the San Francisco Office. Ny note
Of advice, No. 20l, with my name on
the envelope, seems to have been mis-
carried, too"
Even in her fright and astonlshment
II flashed upon Mrs. Baker that she had
sent that notice, too, TO Hickory Hill.
But with IL ali the feminine secretive In
stinct within her was now thoroughly
aroused, and she kept silent.
II ought to have explained" be went
on, smiiingly; "bnt yon are quite right,
Mrs. Baker" he added, nodding toward
the bag AS far rs you know, / had
no business TO go near it. Glad 70 see
you know how to defend Uncle Sans
property 50 well. was only a bit puz-
zled to know" pointing to the wirc),
''if that thing was on the bag when It
was delivered to your"
Mrs. Baker saw no reason TO conceal
the truth. After all, this official was a
Iflrn Ia \ r.
well that he should understand her
power. TITS only the expressman's
foolishness," she said, with slightly
coquettish toss of her head. '1e
thinks it smart to tie some nonsense on
that bag with the wire when he fings
It down"
Mr. Home, with his eyes on her pretty
face, seemed to think IL q not inhuman
or objectionable folly. ''As long us he
doesn't NEEDLE with the inside OF the bag,
! suppose you must put up with it," he
said, laughingly. A dreadful recollee-
ton that the Hickory Hill postmaster
had used the inside Of the bag TO con-
vey his foolishness, came across her, II
would never do to confess It now. Her
face must have shown some agitation,
for the official resumed, with a half.
paternal, half-reassuring air: "Dut
enough OF this. Now, Mrs Baker, TO
come 70 my business herel Briefly,
then, II doesn't concern you In the least,
except so far as IL may relieve you and
some others that tho department knows
equally we'll from a certain responsible
ity, and, perhaps, anxiety We are
pretty well posted down there In all
that concerns Laurel Run, and think
with slight bowl we've known all
about you and John Baker My only
business here is TO take your place to
night in receiving the omnibus way
bag, that you know arrives here al
0;30; doesn't it?"
"Yes, sir" said Mrs Baker. hurried
ly; bat it never has anything for us
cXcept-"(shec caught herself up quickly
with stammeT, as she remembered the
sighing Green's occasional offerings)
'cSccpt a notification from Hickory
lIill post Office. It leaves there" sh,
went on, with an affectation OF prCci
sion, lat half-pnst eight exactly, and
it's about an hours run--sevcn miles bI
road"
Exactly" said Mr. Homo. 'WeH, !
will receive the bag, open Il and dis
patch It again. You can, II you choose
take holiday"
81 But" said Mrs Baker, as she re
membcrod that Laurel Run always
made point of attending her evening !
levce on account Of the superior leisure |
1t offered there are the people who
come for letters, you know
~ thought you said there were no
letters at that time" said Mr.. Home.
quickly
No butt ut-"(with a slight hys.
terical stammer)-"the boys come all
the same"
"ohF' said Mr.. Home, dryly.
"And-O Lordi" Hut here the specta.
Gle of the possible discontinue OF
Laurel Run at meeting the bearded face
OF Mr. Homo, instead of her own smooth
cheeks, at the window, combined with
her nervous excitement, overcame her
SO that, throwing her little friIled apron
over her head, she gave way to parox
ysm Of historical laughter Mr. Home
waited with amused federation for Il TO
stop, and when she had recovered re,
Nov, | should like 20 refer
an instant TO my FIRST communication TO
you Have you got II handy2"
Mrs. Bakers face fell. 'No. I sent
Il over to Mr.. Green, Of Hickory HnL
for information"
WHAT"
Terrified at the sudden seriousness
81 the man s voice, she managed to gasp
but, however, that, after her usual ha6.
i, she had not opened the official let,
ters, but had sent them to her more ex.
colleague for advice and in.
that she never could under
stand them herself. They made her
head ache and interfered with her
'ther duties; but he understood them
md sent her word what to do. Remem.
oering, also, his usual style Of indorse.
ncnt, she grew red again.
And what did he say?"
Nothing; he didn't return them.S
Naturally" said Mr.. Home, with a
'eculiar expression. After a few mo.
nents' silent strolsing Of his beard ne
faced the frightened woman
You oblige me, Mrs. Baker. 70 small