The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-12-14

y
Peters face could conceal his bushes
when they did so.
As for Mary, it is quite likely that
she thought this was the most delight
full picnic that ever was. 1t is GER
tain that when she returned home she
was glad to get to her room, where
she sat for very long time smiling
at the wallpaper garlands when she
ought to have been in bed.
Peter had given her his badge-a red
ribbon with the emblem of the Anal
gamated Gravel Roofers blazoned there
on in letters of gold. Before she did
go to bed she opened locked drawer
and took from it box which contained
little gold baby chain, coral neck
lace, tiny turquoise ring, china doll
with fractured nose and cheerful
expression and a tintype portrait of
Mrs. Murphy, deceased. Among these
treasures she deposited the aainboy-
ant badge and then locked the box up
again.
When Murphy came home from work
the next day he noticed that his sister
wore more ribbons than usual and that
her color became heightened when he
looked as if he noticedit.
"Expectin' company" he asked.
There was no question about her col
or now.
"Mr. Rutter said he might call this
evenin',' she admitted.
mister who? You don't mean Lit
tie Pete?'"
"Is that what you call him? Yes;
that's who | mean"
"Well," said Murphy, with fine scorn,
II like his gall. How'd that come? Why
didn't you tell him you was goin' to
jump the town this mornin' an
wouldn't be back for IL years."
Because / wanted him to come" said
Mary, truthfully.
Brother Dan laughed. He thought it
impossible that she could be in earnest.
The next day Dan heard something
his mind about Mary's not being in
earnest. Still he had the good judgment
to say nothing to Mary until few days
later, when the ribbons appeared again
cherry -colored forecasts of Peter in
a black diagonal cutaway coat too long
in the sleeves and too high in the col
lar, but sufficiently impressive and
declaratorv.
Then Dan lost his temper and Judg-
ment together and told Mary he was
ashamed of her.
"Why should you be, Danny, dear|'
asked Mary.
Don't Danny dear me-" said her
brother, angrily. Take up with a
skate like that and then ask me why
you ought to be ashamed of yourself'
It's enough just to look at him. But
that's neither here nor there. / aim
going to stand for it and that's all
about it. You understand that now,
Mary, don't you? lie don't come here
no more"
II suppose that means you'll fire
him?" said Mary, meeting his look.
THAT amt my style an you ought
to know it," said Murphy, with some
indignation. 81 think | can keep any
man from coming into my house with
out making a club of his Job. Amt /
father and mother both to you?"
II don't think father or mother would
have objected" said Mary. But the end
of it was that she went sadly upstairs
to her room and Dan sat out on the
steps and smoked while he waited for
Little Pete" Rutter.
Presently the little man came along,
whstling. and opened the gate. He
looked rather abashed as he saw Dan S
stony face, but he gave him cheerful
"Good evenin'."
Murphy made no pretense of civility.
"Pete," he said, curtly; II might just
as well tell you you amt wanted around
here. It'll save me trouble and you
trouble if you keep away. I amt got
anythin' against you. understand, but
don't want you around"
Peter grew white, but he stood his
ground boldly. II didn't come to sec
you, Mr.. Murphy" he said.
II know you didn't" returned Muir
ply. That's the trouble. ! amt goin'
to beat about the bush. l know you
come to see Mary, but you can save
yourself the trouble from this on"
"She didn't say so, said Little Pete" ="
stoutly.
Il say So" shouted Murphy. 1T goes,
| too-doesn't it."
Its your house an you've got the
right to say who comes in it, said
Peter. That's as far as your righ.
goes, though"
Its far enough" said Murphy.
'All right" said Little Pete" walk
ing to the gate with his chin in the
air.
1t was nearly week after that that
Little Pete" Rutter passing Muir
I phys house saw Mary at the gate. He
raised his stiff hat awkwardly. and
was about to pass on, for he had quite
n lot of pride for a small man, when
Mary called him to stop.
| She was as direct as her brother.
did Danny tell you not to come
here any more?" she asked.
Yes" answered Pete, moufpfully.
| He did not look at her, but at the hem