Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1902-04-10

would do well to lake the hardware
man or the new doctor. both Of whom
were her ardent admirers. They said
Cleo wouldn't stand out Of the way for
any woman. and they said-indeed.
they said a great Zeal.
Harrowsby. coming in from the West
on the train n evening. found quite
a number Of his old comrades at the
depot. There was going TO be a tur-
key rattle at the saloon. They wanted
him to preside. They'd have a drink
first-two or three drinks-and a bite
of supper in the restaurant-some oys-
ters. say, and hen the fun would be
gin. But Harrowsby jostled his way
through their ranks.
Not tonight, boys. Important bust
ness on hand. Got to git home. One
drink-haven't time. Pom my word.
bOys-got to-"
And he strobe up the town to his
home. and into the sitting room where
the table "a set for supper and a
wood fire burned in the cylindrical
sheet-iron stove.
Cleo"
She came running to him, pushed him
into a chair, tossed his valise in the
corner and his hat after it.
Cleo" he choked a little AMI then
coughed. 1--WE got something to tell"
"So've l, pap"
You first, then"
mo-" She sat dNUn IN hIe knao
You first. Go on"
Cleo. you know my tenant up to
Guide Rock? Yes. we'll, he's got the
incest sister you ever seen. She amt
overly young-not young enough to be
silly. She's maybe 81 Well say 3D."
Yes, pap. Go on"
"She amt ever worked reel hard.
She's had all the heavy work done fur
her. So she's kept that cheerful an
rOsy-it would beat you! She's easy
on the hands. but they don't impose
on her-they like her toe well. She
amt reel strong on foreign missions.
but the minister he told me she was
the best home missionary he ever
knOwed. She sings. an as fur playin'
well, I never heerd the like except
when l was to a show once. An the
cookin'-my! You know your ma didn't
go much on cOOkin'-jest plain frie,l
pork, an coffee. IN now am then plum
sass or crullers she lowed was good
enough fur plain folks-with bread an
potatoes throwed in. of course-of
course! But the things Esther makes
aout'n jest milk an eggs an sech COM
mon truck-'twould astonish you.
Cleo"
Yes. pap"
AN when 1t comes to dressin'. she
allus looks so trim. Don't seem to think
any old thing Is good enough to wear
around to home like your-like some
folks does. Bottom gownds that's right
pretty. an when she goes u the kind
of style a man likes to see when he's
goin' along, an knows she'll be pinted
out as his wife-got the feelin' besides
that she kin afford it. She's kind, too
KIM an lovin'."
Yes, pap"
AN go AASASS IA II UAAh OohAs
"That's-I reckon that's all, Cleo"
"All?" She leaned forward and
swung open the door at the end of the
wood stove a flare Of light fell full
upon his face. "Is it all. pap?"
We'll. all except that | thought ONE
in face. l was fgurin'-to be square
we was allus square with each other,
Cleo calculated-that I'd-you amt
got no objection. have you, Cleo?-that
I'd-I'd marry her,
The logs cracked merrily by way OF
comment. Their sweet. summertime
smell. silence. and freight filled the
room.
"Dear-dear me. MOI" She tool his
handsome old head between her hands
and kissed him. And when will you
be married?'
Il was thinkin' some of q month
from now. Cleo"
"Dear-dear." she said again. And
It's just three days since ! was mar
REV."
Cleo" he sprang to his feet.
1SSs DothCl "iOSC mt dbOut IA
engagement to you. She thought she
could break it better to me. ! told
Frank. and-well. we were waiting IN
til you should be at home. but he said
Il said-we thought"
"By-thunder! Well. he's a good fel-
low-but they tell me you could have
had the hardware man or the doctor,
Cleo. But If you're happy"
She kissed him again.
I'm give Frank the farm. an half
the hogs-an' them hundred young
steers. Are you sure you're willin' to
back on the farm, Cleo?"
I'm glad! I've ached fur the farm,
pap"
But after all you learned! An now
you won't ever be"
She put her hand over his mouth and
laughed.
"Never-never" she said.-Chicago
Tribune.