Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06

was only finished half way up. An pap
was jest as harnsome an good-natured, an
an no count as you are, Hamp. Taint
cause I'm not usen to such things siow-
" and with the blaze going from her eyes;
Its the Coon Flat way. But faint goln
into my marryin'. l do like you, Hamp,
an ! amt 'shamed to tell so; but my mans
got to have a cabin with floor to 1t, an
a COW an hens, an shoes for meetin'
days"
'I'u get all of EN-, Posey. every cussed
one" he urged eagerly; you know
Yes. know nam says pap was goin' TO
make her a plank floor, but he never did.
Now there's Tyke-"
His humility vanished instantly :.,, o.
"Doggone Tyke!' he snapped. Hes got
a cabin with floor, 1 know; an he's
COW an hens, an is dickerin' for mule;
but he amt got nerve to fight postum.
An he's bowlegged an squints an ain
more'n five feet high. If gal like you is
willin' to, stand up 'longside of Tyke, then
i amt In the hunt
She looked at him placidly
II amt sayin' but you're the better "a
vored Hamp," she commented; but you're
twenty-five years old, an amt never owned
a pair of shoes for meetin yet. Tyke was
here s'day an lowed to sheer all he'd
got an he's still in the mountain thatn
bring a plenty right along"
AN what did you say?" sullenly.
Posey laughed little, then her face grew
sober.
well. run him from the cabin fust or"
she confessed, but he wouldn't take that
answer, and sneaked back to the door and
begged me to think 1t over He said he'd
come ag'in tomorrer.' She was silent for a
few moments, then threw her head back
defantly, looking squarely into his eyes.
An / have thunk it over Hamp PADDLE
ford. an made up my mind for good an
all that won't end my days on no mud
floor. That's all the answer I've got.
She looked superb as she stood there in
the doorway and Hamp caught his breath
in a half sob Of longing and despair: then
he turned and slouched down the path.
Opposite his own cabin he paused hest
tatingly. His mother was seated in the
doorway, pipe in mouth, ready Tor taik.
She had seen him with Posey. 50 ne
slouched on 90 the next cabin. to where his
particular friend lay sprawled at full length
upon the leaves.
Done seen ye," the friend drawled sig
nincantly; went up the path full swing
an come back with head droopin'. Hope
the brook amt runnin' over no rocks nor
nothln'."
Hamp grunted and threw himself upon
THAT Urinary Tyke was hangin' round
thar right smart yesday," the friend con-
tlnued rehectively. Course theys nothin
10 IL; but gals
He's lottin' to marry her. Sam Hamp
said, listlessly.
What and Sam raised himself on ell
bow and looked at his friend queerly:
''Tyke carryin' off your gal, an you lynn
here a-dreamin'. Why don't We shoot
him.
only put me furder away from Posey. You
don't understan' her. Sam Shed say |
was too big TO jump on little sawed-off
thing like Tyke-an she'd be right Not
hut what Ia like to shoot him. though"
yehementIy; ''jest like / would skunk or
snake It's all he's fit for to be shot. But
can't resk hard feeln's with Posey."
Sam dropped back disgustedly.
Gals are cert'ny queer. he grumbled.
Pm glad I've never got in with one of
EN-. The idea Of harnsome critter like
eslf H. -lra hpr ~ %
you was maxim eyes at her
"Oh, faint the man. Sam. Posey likes
me well enough: but amt no plank floor.
nor even cabin an Tyke has both, an
other things. I've never thought much
about floors bein' needed to prance round
on: but when Posey spoke like they was. /
knew she was right If Posey'd say ever
body ought to wear coats even when twas
hot like preachers do an that we should
have shoes for every day IN the week an
was loohin' In them eyes OF hers when she
said Il. I'd know she was right: Posey
growed Why. SAM" earnestly, IF one OF
them little birds should drop twenty-five
whole dollars right down here on the leaves
I'd be willin' to put every single one Of em
into plank floor for Posey to walk on"
Sam gave a long. low whistle. and, drop
ping his head back upon his hands gazed
thoughtfully at the bits Of blue through the
interstices of foliage. Ten. fifteen minutes;
then he suddenly returned to his position
on one elbow.
You must get Posey the floor, Hamp,''
he declared
Hamp merely murmured something about
getting his granny.
But you must" Sam insisted. rising to
his feet In his earnestness. "why. man.
you're the one who ought to be shot, not
Tyke. l amt no gal man, but If was an
had one like Posey. no cussed little floor
could come atween us. She should have
floors till she couldn't rest If had 10 bark
my knuckles an keep my gun barrel red
hot TO git 'em.
.Tyke's comm tomorrer" Hamp NUT.
tered, rising dejectediy to his feet Right