Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-06-26

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piled as he kept pace beside her "bnt
have my share"
Your share" she exclaimed, "oh,
lts the hull cheese, it is, er full half
and two quarters, an no flies on it
nuther." "
You're little gay tonight" he
tnen muttered to himself, 1T shows
she Is not a fool anyway"
Jest you be off, an don't bother
me-" said the child, as she turned
short up Washington street. "You
snow thet you air fool a follerin' a
bit O. a gal like me-"
i am following you for a good rea.
son: l have seen you before" he said,
with smile.
Seen me BEFORE" she exclaimed,
then turning to him, asked "where?"
where! Why my-er-" checked
his utterance, "why here in this town."
Barbara coolly surveyed him from
head to foot "Wot," she exclaimed,
"ere in this town? Walker" and turn,
ed on her heel to retrace her steps.
Barbara" He caught her by the
sleeve and turned her face to him, T
want to speak with you about your
uoIHeI anu luCle SISTERS.
Then you jest won't" she replied,
drawing away from him, "you amt af-
ter no good, Pm sure"
Don't be a fool, child" said he, a
little annoyed.
Il don't mean tew, so yer kin jest
hike it, or the fust cop comes tew IL
hang on tew yer collar"
Now don't be angry, Barbara" ,"
he said coaxingly, for he saw the
child must be led, not driven, "Just
take good look at me-" He turned
her face to him and smiled.
II sees yer" replied the unromantic
and undaunted little maid Eyer long
shanked, fiddle headed Jackie"
He looked at her in panied aston
ishment, and then, standing well un-
der the light of street lamp. a pace
or two from her, reproachfully said
Barbara. cannot you remember me?''
mo" she replied with asperity," no.
I minds nothin', doesn't want ter"
She yet failed to recognize him,
though he was indeed her father Jack
Walker.
His mining prospects had carried
him northward into the Coeur d'Alene
country, at that time wild, unsettled
region Of Northern Idaho.
He had written several letters to
! his wife, but not one of them had
reached her, and Of course, no word
| from her had reached him, and when
about to abandon his mining schemes
in order to turn his anxious feetsteps
homeward, he struck it rich. 1t de
layed him until he sold his claim, then
hurried south and arrived in Portland
Christmas Eve.
He had made some seasonable pur
| chases for his family. and had ar
ranged with Smith to deliver them Sc
cretly, at his house. in advance of his
arrival. And then he met Barbara, in
the manner we have related.
Her saucy, defiant attitude caused
him to realize the Importance oI
prompt, yet kindly action. He there
upon, took from his pocket small
package, deliberately unwrapped it
and lifting the lid of little square
box, revealed a ladies' small gold
watch and chain.
She became interested.
| Holding 1t to her view, he at length
said slowly, what did father promise
his little Barbara four years ago."
The child looked up at him. A new
light dawned in her eyes. She theI
rem membered his last words, the prom
ised watch, and gradually recalled his
voice and features, made somewhat
strange now by his heavy beard.
Her voice trembled, God forgive
me, I didn't know you" Then she
seemed to suddenly become excited
for she almost shouted, "oh, dad!" ant
flung herself in his arms. "Ha. ha,
knows yer now God love yer old heart
| do, do" Then the strain of hel
excitement gave way. her pent vi
feelings loosened. and she sobbed as
Iif her heart would break.
Clasping her little form close tc
him, he gently kissed her forehead
and as the tears welled up in his eye:
said. "close to my heart my pool
child. | knew Barbara would he GLAD
to see her old dad home again"
She looked up. He saw the tears
streaming down her cheeks, he fell
the convulsive throb of her heart; ht
saw the glad expression of counte
nance; he saw the lips move. ant
again STOPPING down, received a kiss
that came from the child's soul
"And you still love your old dad?'
said he.
"Lor bless yer, dad" replied she, be
tween her sobs, 81 do, an allus will
an says I tew ma,says, l., sometime
we shall see party wots been afal
off, hangin' bout our house agin
deed we shall"
It was arranged that Barbara shoult
enter the house first, in order to giv'
her time in her own way, to break tn
news of her fathers return. and t.
hand back to Captain Jim the none!
he gave her. Walker was to appea
some ten minutes later.
Upon arriving home, the child turn
ed the knob Of the front door, and find
ing 1t locked, vigorously knocked. I