Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-05-22
CONTINUED from Last Week.)

II Jim. Sne pTOCeeuSu W luc ocNluS
room, just off the parlor, and there
found Nan and Kitty Corners. young
friend of Annie's, talking together.
81 shall faint I'm sure" said Alnie
Joining them.
Did he squeeze you?" queried Nan
mo, but he tried to kiss me-" re-
piled Annie.
Hes got heap Of money" said
Nan. "and he amt a sort that lavishes
endearments upon any female either
It's my opinion he's gone little soft
on you, for which consideration
meeting half way might be of some
benefit to a lone woman with three
children"
"Do you think he is in earnest?"
questioned Annie.
"Try him." remarked Kitty, as if
she anticipated some fun.
"Would you, If you were in my
place." said Annie smiling.
"Of course I would" promptly re-
piled Nan.
Maybe will" said Annie, 'ff only
for the fun of it,"
"Do," exclaimed Kitty.
At this juncture, Barbara, Annie's
twelve-year-old daughter. entered from
the dance room. and abruptly inform
ed ina" that there's an old codger
in there, wot's got grey hair, who is
continually sidelin' up agin me, an
jist skipt out to tell you"
What did he say?" inquired ma.
"Oh, he just wanted to know if
was the Widder Walkers leetle gal"
replied Barbara, initiating Captain
Jim, IAN jist up an told him | wus,
an if he felt better to know it, | was
glad, and hoped he would keep so. l
didn't tell him no more, so help me-"
Hush, child" interrupted her
mother, how your tongue does CO."
ITS tied, it is,' replied Barbara.
Post her." suggested Kitty
"a wise precaution," exclaimed Nan.
"The strings are apt to break and
loosen her parts of speech"
who air you aludin' to?" snapped
Barbara.
Barbara" exclaimed her mother,
"how dare you?"
I'm mum, l is" answered the
twelve-year-old.
An hour later this twelve-year-old
daughter was seated in the parlor,
listening to Captain Smeets, who was
entertaining her with yarns" of his
early experience in Missouri He had
been very suave and patronizing in
his speech and had reached a point
where he was satisfied the child felt
kindly toward him.
Now Miss Barbara, be goin tew
talk tew you like father" and draw
ing his chair closer to the child, said
you be straight with me an I'll be the
best friend you ever had"
The twelve-year-old looked up and
ttnn .s-~l~L -
then turning her eyes to the far cor
ner OF the room, added softly to her
self: ole chump, I'm posted, is.''
Does thet air feller Macdonald call
on your ma much?" queried Jim, try
Ing to appear unconcerned.
We'll, you jist bet he do"
Hum" calculated Jim, thought
fully; Il reckon he be a dark horse.
and regular sticker, tew, them
Scotch allus air."
Mop. Irish, O. course"
Amt you mistaken? Macdonald
must be Scotch" said Jim.
No, he's irish. cause got er red top,
an calls him Red" facetiously an
'swered the twelve-year-old.
BE you calm of him Red be.
cause of his red harp"
Yep! red hair, red face, all fire."
replied the child.
Does yer ma call him 'Red?"
Mop; she tones him up with Mack, |
cause he likes it better" replied Bar
bara, but knows he's Irish, cause
well, | knows, don't l."
captain Jim became deeply absorb |
ed IN thought. The information OBJ
tanned from the child was of dis
uuletlng kind. 1t made him aware for |
the hrst time that Annie had another
aamlrer and one who evidently show
ed her much attention.
so this feller Red Macdonald calls
on your ma good deal, eh? Takes
Her out tew the opera and sich like |
l spose?' remarked Jim with a tinge
of jealousy.
barbara carelessly replied to this
leeier. sometimes. but then she or'v
goes to git him out of the house-he
pothers the old gal so much"
At that moment, during lull in the
danclng, Captain Jim thought he
heard heard laughter, in which the word,
nar' or some word like it, sounded
ulstinct. He looked sharply at the
sewing room door. It was closed.
Ihen he looked at the child, must er
Deen the wind" he said to himself.
AN, jim, If you had there and then
!oiiowed up the promptings of your
Judgment and opened the sewing
room door you would have discovered
pehind 1t two mischievous women. on
tneir knees, with ears close to the key
mole OF the door, discovery which
would likely have spared you many a
Pang OF self-reproach in after years.
Becomihg tranquil again he ex-
cialmed, hum, he does, eh?"
49,, barbara answered indfferently.
yep, but ma don't think much of