Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-06-12
from last week.

Donald took the DTdnuy, q suuuch VIC
Giro to burst out laughing overpowered
her, and her efforts to disguise 1t,
caused the apparent mt.
",Twas only a chill, JIM" said she
IN exclamation, cit comes over me at
times especially when hear that
macdonald mentioned"
"Annie, be you amindin' of how ]
offered to put up fer them divorce
costsq" said Jim sympathetically.
"Indeed I do, Jim," replied Annie,
&C she wiped laughing tear from her
eve, "Your generosity is noble"
"Annie." exclaimed he, as he again
n1aced his arm about her waist caress-
inglv "Pd wade through oceans of
birthstone fer you
whist" cautioned Annie, some
ono is in the she'd" She sprang to her
feet A moment of silence was fol
lowed by gentle knocks on the Kitchen
door.
Captain Jim Immediately replied in
a suhdued voice. as he stood up. Il
reckon it be thet Red Macdonald.
"Go into the front room No, bet
Tor go in the bedroom. He may go out
tbe front door, and if it is Macdonald
and he sees you here. he will kill you"
"All right" said Jim, as he moved
toward the bedroom door, "jest as you
say, Annie"
"Hurry, JIM" she urged, taking up
his hat and following him, "he shall
not stay long"
CAPTAIN Jim finally fetched up the
pisto from his pocket, turned around
to Annie, displayed it and said. 81
bought thet fer self protection" Then
he passed into the bedroom.
Annie flung his hat after him, and
with the admonition, keep quiet.
jim" closed the door.
The knocks again sounded gently on
the kitchen door.
"Who's there?" inquired Annie. as
she stood in the center of the room.
Can l war-rum bit, If ye plalse!
It's very could" These words were
uttered in rich Irish accent, by some
one in the woodshed, and it was evi-
dent to Annie the voice was mascu-
line.
After brief silence, she said, "come
in"
The door slowly opened and short
thick set elderly man entered and
carefully closed the door behind him
He wore a grey macintosh that had
seen some wear, with the cape collar
turned up about his ears. A dark cloth
cap, pulled we'll down at the peak, left
but a small part of his face visible
The identity of the visitor was thus
practically concealed.
They stood looking at each other IN
silence.
Gradually a thrill of misgiving ran
through Annie, and she half turned to
ward the bedroom, when the stranger
again spoke.
"Shure." said he, in a soft appealing
tone, this do be Christmas Ave, anc
yees are not the daisy to turn me
away, befure | war-rum me hands.
do be could with the walk firninst the
water" He slowly turned down the
collar of his macintosh, then bowec
and took off his cap.
why Smith, exclaimed Annie II
glad surprise, you almost frightened
me, why didn't you come in at the
front door,"
Didn't know me-" said Smith
laughing. "Shure, an it's the fur-s
tonne in twinty years." thrusting nj!
cap in his coat pocket. 'Do yees know
me now, my dear? An be the same
token, will yees iver fergit me-" NJ
continued, as he familarly patted he
under the chin. 81 just thot I'd sthalt
in an take look at yees an the chill
der this ave-"
"Falin' we'll. eh." laughed he, as II
great glee, he gently poked her on thu
side with his
Why Smith, you do act queer,
said Annie smiling. 81 thought yo'
were chilled with the cold?"
Not fer yees darlnt an the CRANE
childer of yees father, God rest hi
soul, he was the best frint iver he'd
Just the tips ave me fingers Annie
We're numb with the load an the wall
1urninst the water, but me heart wa
war-rum fer yees, an l didn't moin'
1t at all, at ALL"
What were you loaded with
smith," said Annie, as she looke
teasingly at him.
He leaned forward and said in hal
whisper, "Pve sane him."
You have" she quickly replied, an
purst into soft laughter.
Smith looked at her a moment Il
silence, as IL affronted. Then he sal
seriously, "shure, didn't he come int
the sthore an buy things fer yees ar
the childers' Christmas stockin's. ar
says he, now, Smith, yees take thin
up and lave thin in the shid, witbou
her knowing it. It'll be foine sui
prise this night" said he, "indade
Will" said I. God bless yees heart.
Iolne Christmas box, an they made
too-so they do, yerself and childers
God bless yees for It," said L. "An
do yees moind," said he, "do it qule
ly, Smith. Lave II in the shid ar
come away without seeing her."
viii, be me faith, will do thot same
SAID |, an here am, an merr