Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-21

said yourself only yes'day that | was harm.
some an mighty good natured-"
An barefoot" she broke in scorn.
fully. "sakes alive Hamp Paddleford, yoJ
Amt s'posin' I'd marry a man who's got
nothin' In the wide world but a runt pis
his pap was too lazy to keer for? I ain
chat Urinary, l hope" and she drew herself
up to her full height. with flushed cheeks
and flashing eyes. "Mebbe you're htten tn,
way Coon Flatters generally are" with 9
proud, comprehensive sweep OF her hand
toward tho earth floor Of the cabin. Ny
pap brought nam here an she's been here
ever since, with not so much as a new
shovelful Of mud put on the chfmbly thai
was only finished half way up. An par
was Jest Rs harnsome an good natured an
an no count as you are, Hamps 'Tain't
cause I'm not usen to such things, d
slowly and with the blaze going from her
eyes; ITS the Coon Flat way. But taln't
goln' into my marryin'. l do like you
Hamp, an I ain't 'shamed to tell you so.
but my mans got to have a cabin with a
floor to it an a COW an hens an shoes for
meetin' days"
'Ill 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.
"Doggone Tyke!" he snapped. Hes got
a cabin with a floor, ! know, and he's a
COW an hens an is dickeriu' Tor a mule,
but he amt got nerve to fight a possum.
An he's bow-legged an squints an ant
more'n Ave feet high. II a gal like you is
willin' TO stand up l~ongside of Tyke, then
l Amt in the hunt"
She looked at him p~lacldly.
II amt sayin' but you're the better
favored. Hamp," she commented, but
you're 25 years old. an amt never owned
q pair Of shoes for meetin' yet. Tyke was
here yes'dsy an lowed to sheer all he'd
got, an he's a still in the mountain thatll
bring a plenty right along"
AN what did you say sullenly.
Posey laughed a little, then her face grew
sober.
well, ] run him from the cabin fust
on" she confessed, but he wouldn't take
that answer an sneaked back to the door
an begged me to think It over. He said
he'd come ag'in tomorrer.' She was silent
for q few moments, then threw her head
back defantly, looking squarely into his
eyes. An l have thunk 1t over. Hamp
Paddleford, an made up my mind for good
an all that l wont 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 for a talk.
She had seen him with Posey. So he
slouched on to the next cabin, to where
Nj. -o-tNa,T.a TO- L., ..-auI.a a R-IN
length upon the leaves.
Done seen ye," the friend drawled
significantly; went up the path full swing
an come back with head droopin'. Hope
the brook amt runuin' over no rocks nor
nothin'."
Hamp grunted and threw himself upon
the leaves.
"ThA Urinary Tyke was hangin' round
thar right smart yes'day," the friend con-
tinued. renectively. COURSE they's nothin'
to 1t, but gals
Hes lottin' to marry her, Sam" Hamp
said, listlessIy.
What" and Sam raised himself on elbow
and looked at his friend q~ueeriy. "Tyke
carryin' on your gal, an you lyin' here
s-dreamin'. Why don't ye shoot him?"
What's the use?' ~mournfuily. "Twould
only put me furder away from Posey. You
don't understan' her. Sam. She'd say l was
too big to jump on a little sawed-otf thing
like Tyke-an' she'd be right. Not but
what I'd like to shoot him, though" We
hemently; lest like would a skunk or
snake. It's all he's At for, to be shot. But
I can't resk hard feelin's with Posey."
Sam dropped back disgustedly.
GALS are cert'ny queer" he grumbled.
I'm glad I've never got In with one OF
'em. The idea OF a harnsome critter like
Posey sidlin' up to Tyke when q man like
you was maxim eyes at her."
"oh, faint the man, sam. Posey likes
me well enough; but I amt no plank floor.
nor even cabin: an Tyke has both. an 9TH
er things. I've never thought much about
floors bein' needed to prance round on: but
whom Posey spoke like they was. I knew
she was right. II Posey'd say everybody
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
lookin' In them eyes OF hers when she said
1t, ia know she was right. Posey amt like
no other Coon Flat gil. tina ever growed.
Why. Sam" earnestly. IF one OF them lit
Ne birds should drop twenty-five whole
collars right down here on the leaves. ia
be willin' to put every single one Of 'em
into a plank floor for Posey to walk on"
Sam gave q 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 min
utes; then he suddenly returned to his DO
sition on one elbow.
you must get POsey the moor. 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 ! amt no gal man. but II was an
had one like Posey. no cussed little hoor
could come atween us. She should have
noors till she couldn't rest II | had to bark
my knuckles an keep my gun barrel red
hot to git 'em.
"Tyke's comm tomorrer," Hamp NUT
tered rising deiectedly TO his feet. Right
tomorrer; an from the way Posey spoke
there amt to be no II an mebbyin'. She'll
snap yes or mo- right out, an she'll stick
to what she says. She won't do no monkey
in. The only way l can see is to shoot
him, and that would make things wuss.
A ioored cabins boun' TO cost a plump
heap"
Yes" agreed Sam. bound TO. But
I've been pieein' the thing out. You know
that big boss farm down in the valley?"
"Hinekle'sG Yes. But he's done sold
outn