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

tinctly saw tall dark form cautiously
enter. Dead silence followed as
though the intruder was listening.
Then ensued slight shuffling sound,
like fumbling in the woodpile.
Thar" softly exclaimed voice, 81
reckon it'll s'prise Annie, when she
comes out'n fer wood. Jest leetle
brandy tew keep out'n the cold, an
she won't be aknowin' who put it thar.
nuther''
The shadow again appeared in the
doorway; halted, then re-entered and
closed the door. Guess Annie's a
SEWN by herself" speaking in an un-
dertone, but loud enough for the
watchers to hear. Continuing the
voice said, maybe kin see the sweet
darlin' through thet keyhole. Yum,
yum! SENS l Kin taste them lips yit."
Annie and her companion recog-
nized the intruder. Kitty squeezed
Annie's arm and whispered in her ear,
your lover"
captain Jim, groped his way to the
Kitchen door. The two women press
ed close to the wall to give him room
to pass and to avoid discovery.
He peered through the keyhole and
having satisfied himself, being able to
see only one chair and table. he NUT
tered aud1bly, mo one tew hum but
herself an waitin' fer me. tew. lest
the time tew do some courtin'. No I
shan't go in this way. 1t might skeer
her an she'd be a-knowin' of who put
thet drap O. brandy in the woodpile.
III Jist go round to the front door"
He groped his way slowly toward
the shed door, still muttering to him.
self, shes got to promise to be mine
this night, or the bilar'll bust sure. I
be a-cumin' my Immaculate Annie"
Annie, having conceived an idea,
lost no time in putting it into execu-
tion. She had silently withdrawn her
gloves and at the moment when Cap
tain Jim arrived opposite her, she
stepped lightly forward, and suddenly
uttering piercing scream, clawed at
his face. He sprang aside. yelling
with terror, "for Gods sake, take the
varmint away" and made dash for
the door and liberty.
Annie again screamed and Kissed
like wildcat. Her object was under
stood by Kitty who joined in the hiss
ing.
Jim tore open the door and rushed
out. pushing the door shut after him.
The two mischievous conspirators
smothered their uncomfortable laugh
ter as much as possible. At length
Annie exclaimed, 81 shall die"
Me, too," said Kitty.
! Barbara hearing the wild screams
opened the door and stood in amaze
ment at the two hilarious women.
| Well said the twelve-year-old, you
air queer! What's the racket"
| Her mother motioned her to close
the door.
81 think they've been a-drinkin',"
she exclaimed as she closed the door
and resumed her seat hear the stove.
Kitty asked Annie why she did It,
adding, you have upset our plan at
the start"
Il know it," replied Annie, speaking
low, still laughing, "but the tempta.
tlon overcame me. Take this boa and
leave it at Webbs, or he may guess
who scratched him. Let us go. He'll
likely call in the neighbors."
Very likely" laughed Kitty. "but
they won't find the brandy" She had
accidentally placed her hand on the
small flask
Have you found it?"
"Yes," Kitty replied, what shall we
do with it?"
Hide it," replied Annie.
At that moment, Barbara was
startled by loud and rapid knocks on
the front door. She sprang to her
feet and rushed into the front room
and called out: Who air you. AIRY
in tew bust in the door?"
A voice replied, Captain Jim
Smeets, open the door, and for Gods
! sake be quick"
Barbara unlocked the door and
opened 1t. Captain Jim pushed in,
looking somewhat frightened. Bar
bara slammed the door shut and lock-
ed it.
ma sed fer me tew let TO person
in but you. Come in tew the Kitchen"
"Whar's Annie?" he inquired alb
ruptly.
She's out but won't be long. Sit
down."
Barb" said Captain Jim, "bolt that
door," pointing to the kitchen door.
Amt no bolts on it, serenely re-
Piled the child.
"Oh Lord" walled Captain Jim.
Then pile up the chairs an table
again it,"
Take the lamp, come on; be
quick" He thurst the lamp into her
hands and pushed the table against the
kitchen door.
Barbara could not understand the
meaning of his singular action and
though Of crazy man fitted through
her mind. Her temper began to rise
too, for her nature was not of fear.
She finally said, do yer drink"
me drink" exclaimed Jim, turning
to her in wonder, "Me drink, did hear
you say?"
For reply the imperturable Barbara
simply nodded her head.
Never fetch a drop, strictly terper-