The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1903-01-30


smothered any other which might
have been more rightfaIly his in the
forgotten days-was filing the wood
box. slouching over 1t and dropping
down the sticks one by one. He was
in no hurry, for that was not his way;
and moreover. he was just now afraid
to face the kitchen jeers, which some
way he felt were blunted and rem
dered Intellectual by striking his back.
But when the last stick had been
dropped into the box. and he had
stood gazing at it for fully three min
utes, there seemed nothing for him
but to rc-cross the wide kitchen to the
asylum Of the outside door, which now
seemed long way off. This he did
with burning, downcast face and
more diffident shuffle than usual.
Say, Plug; not that way" called
Ben, the horse boy; she's over yon
by the sink. Wheer's your eyes. boy?
She's been blushin' ever sence ye
coined in"
Plugs head dropped little lower
and his shuttle became little faster.
Why couldn't they leave the girxs
name out of the talk, he thought.
clinching his fists in impotent wrath.
It was indecent of them to drag her
name into such foolishness. r'I
"Aw, come now, Plug" drawled
Carrots, the gardeners boy, don't
wobble roun SO. 1t makes folks eyes
tired. Jest let your legs have their
own way for oncet, an see II they
don't sidle roun' to wheer Bets
washin' dishes. Then you an she can
sot down on the woodbox an be So
cial like the rest of US. 'Tain't Chris
tian for a six foot man to live tween
the door an woodbox like you does.
specially when a gals cryin' her eyes
out Cause he won't even look her
way"
There was a sudden crash at the
sink, and a girl with round, red face
and square figure swung toward the
groom with flashing eyes. In one
hand was the remnant Of the plate
Just broken, in the other q dripping
dishcloth.
"If you don't shut that big mouth O.
your'n. Carrots, I'll cram this dish
cloth into it," she cried. hotly. Plug
an me never spoke one word to each
other, an you all know it. Not that
it's sayin' a word ag'in Plug. though.
He's better man than you be any
day. Carrots; SO there!"
Plug had stopped with one foot
stunning the air. his hand on the door
latch. Now he set the foot down
softly and slipped outside, his hear.
beating wildly. he a better man than
Carrots. who had alternately jeered
at and patronized and ordered him
about! Why. he had never fclt that
he was equal to anybody. much less
better. But the second dish girl. Bet,
had said it, and what Bet said was
more to the purpose than the opinion
of the master himself. What II he had
never spoken to her? He had loved
her from the very first day-the very
first hour-of entering upon his duties
as wood brinser and kitchen chore
boy. Had she not looked at him and
smiled? That smile had been titillat-
ing his heart and keeping his face
flushed and his eyes upon the ground
ever since. He had been in that de-
uSutlul State LOT one WuOle mOuUn,
and 1t might have continued on for
ever but for his recklessness in lift
ing his gaze toward the sink this very
morning. 1t had been his first open
glance in that direction; but the
whole kitchen had seen it, and. now
the whole kitchen was jeering him.
Well, he didn't care for had she not
said he was better man than Car
rots-Carrots the bold, the jeering
the masterful? He had not intended
to carry in any more wood tonight,
had not even intended to go in after
his supper. 1t would be easier to go
hungry than to face the kitchen jeer-
ing. That had been his thought as his
hand touched the door latch. Now
everything was changed. He would
take in another armful and look
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