Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-06-19
CAPTAIN JIM'S C0URTSHIP :
.s.s.sss By A. E. RICE, Portland **s.%
EESSS@SNZSSSS
Continued from Last Week.)

hind and it appeared so ridiculous,
80 grotesuuely comical that the child
oT oI.ced the lamp on the floor and burst
p"t in wild laughter. Captain Jim
LACKED at her severely, which had the
eject of checking a second spasm.
~ knows it," remarked the child,
ber ewes sparkling with merriment.
.pl, list bet it's that old tree a-scrap-
IN agin the she'd"
He scowled at her. He could scarce
" believe his senses. The idea of
tbis child ridiculing his assertion.
~ tell you it be wild beast, that's
eot in thar Most likely drove down
from the heights by the snow. Didn't
Il spring on tew me? Look here" Some
faint marks showed on his face. 'Jist
the tips of them ferocious claws
fetched me, as l sprung back"
Barbara's eyes expanded. She took
up the lamp and looked at his face.
He stopped low to facilitate the ex-
animation. WELL" she said, feign-
ing astonishment, 81 said as how
that old tree would scratch somebody
some day"
He didn't relish the way Barbara
laughed at his experience. Angrily
seizing a rocking chair he jammed it
against the table, then turning to her
he said 81 should think yer mad be
skeert some, tew be livin' here
alone"
'T should opine," replied the matter
of-fact young miss. "She wants to go
away, but amt got no rocks"
Barb, she kin a hev all the rocks
she wants" said Captain Jim, with
tinge Of settled determination.
"She kim asked the astonished
child.
"She kim" reiterated he.
"Do yer really mean it?" asked Bar
bara, still doubling him.
"Sartin," replied Jim.
At that moment three distinct
knocks were heard on the front door.
"The's the old gal herself; knows
the taps" exclaimed the child. She
placed the lamp on a chair, then I'M
locked and opened the front door.
Captain Jim had come prepared, an
tlcipating the possibility of trouble
with Macdonald. His imagination pic
tured him IS a powerful, passionate
individual Had he made inquiries he
would probably have discovered that
Macdonald was a mere creation of
Barbara's. or rather the Joint creation
of her mas and Kitty's brains. for the
purpose of hoodwinking him. His con-
scientious scruples checked any lean
ing toward doubt of MacDonald's ex-
1stence. His belief in Barbara's story,
at the time Of Captain Toms surprise
party was absolute. so that when the
taps sounded on the front door he
1ished up a pistol from his back
pocket.
Jest as a precaution," partly to
show Macdonald. in case 1t was he
and not Annie, who was about to en-
ter, that he (Jim. was armed, and
partly to assure Annie, should it really
be her, that he was prepared to pro-
tect her and the "chillun."
Captain Jim here" said Annie with
evident satisfaction, upon entering.
Il hurried home to welcome you"
She looked about the disordered
kitchen, as though astonished. "Why,
what is all this about?" He flourish
ed the pistol and frowned be-
cause he imagined that under the
present circumstances it conveyed an
impression of courage.
Annie" said he, don't you be
skeert. You an the chillun be safe"
She was about to laugh, but checked
herself, and appearing terrified, quick
~ asked, why, what is the matter?
Why are these things piled against
tne door? And that pistol?"
Jest a precaution, tbets all my
uear. There be cats in the she'd" re-
pied Jim seriously.
On, jim, you frighten mel" said
Annie, and she added timidly, "are
tney tom cats?" Ma turned her back
on jim to conceal her effort to sup
press laugh. Captain Jim replied,
they De wild cats or cou-jars, I'm sar-
un, put | be a-goin' tew drive 'em off,
.nough,' wiping his brow with a blue
handkerchief
., NO, no, jim" pleaded Annie, her
,',, ,ave still averted from him. They'll |
XII you. How many are there?"
4. l swan thar whar two. felt the
ldr When they sprung on tew me-" re-
piieH the dauntless captain.
oh, jim dear, are you hurt?" in
concern.
Jest few scratches. but they amt
You dear"
IL guess the old gal claw'd him."
!aid Barbara. in an undertone. The
. mark was heard by ma, who cast
= sharp, meaning glance at the child
), aaroara @ understood 1t and added soft
., w. Dut I'm nun, is. cause he's
sun TO come down with the rocks"
,oe annie could not control herself
a. anger, and she burst out in
~ OF laughter, which she con-
ttealed from Jim by turning her
ts tsce and wringing her hands as
ttnough In anguish. what shall
90; oh. what shall do. And
my Door children" She rushed off to
'"e bedroom and shut herself in.