Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-10-02


sayin' soft things. I'm going to loeb
after her the best kno how, but I
wisht l was little older"
Two days later another disquIeting
letter reached Brother Jim.
THAT fellow is comm more than
ever" Tom informed him. Il think
there must be something fascinating
about him, cause Miss Laura don't
seem able to tell him he amt wanted
here He is In awful hurry, too.
guess re is afrade her father will come
home Unexpected. lie bet my life no
is no good. 1 wish l could talk to
sumboddy. But there's no use speek-
ing to Miss Laura's aunt. All she
thinks about is housekeepin and hired
/ girls. N. b. he called me q cub twice
agane."
The very next day brought the third
disquleting letter.
1--WE were out riding to-day Brother
Tom explained, "and l was gettln' IN
the little seat behind and guess he
didn't kno how sharp my ears is. Its
like that with measels sumtimes !
spose. Anyway heard lot that
he said and what do you think? He
wants Miss Laura to run away and
marry him. You ought to have heard
him beg her. Amt 1t shaim? Sutch
nice girl and nobody to sho her what
mistake she is making. Anyway
1 know the fellow is afrade of her
father, cos he said as mutch-anA
somebody ought to find out about him
rite away cos It's Friday mite he wants
her to CO."
Brother Jim looked at the letter long
and earnestly, and the frown on his
handsome face deepened. Then he
pulled a pad Of blank telegraph mes
sages from a drawer.
They are waiting for him at the vii.
lage station, Miss Laura in the pony
phaeton and Brother Tom on the plat
form.
And Brother Tom grabbed him and
drew him to the phaeton.
"This is my big brother, Miss Lau-
ra," he cried, with a tremor of pride,
and Brother Jim found himself bun
died in beside the pretty girl, while
Brother Tom sat up on the little seat
behind.
I'VE have been expecting you 90
long and SO anxiously-at least one Of
us has," said the pretty girl with .
quick blush, that 1t seems quite i'm
possible that you are really here
doesn't 1t, Tommy"
HE looks real to me-" replied the
smiling Brother Tom. as he landed .
heavy thump ON Brother Jims broad
shoulder.
And how delightfully."- pleased this
pretty girl seemed! Was 1t an assumed
delightl He looked around at Tommy
and caught him grinning.
And what a charming little feast
they had, and what a delightful little
mistress Of the household the fair girl
made.
And after dinner Brother Tom drew
Brother jim away from the lovely pres
ence and took him for stroll to the
little lake.
"well?" said Brother Tom, a. they
trudged down the shadowy pathway
between the trees. sf
"well?" echoed Brother Jim.
"Nice, isn't sheT'
Every nice"
"Did make 1t too strong about
herT
"Is this a confidential conversation ~
inquired Brother Jim, with q short
laugh.
at u.s." Brother Tom replied.
And not word to be repeated to
any third party?"
mot word"
"Well, them" said Brother Jim, Yea
didn't make It strong enough"
Whereat Brother Tom landed
heavy blow from puny fist In the
midst of Brother Jim's waistcoat.
"Good old Jimmyw he cried.
And then 1t was that Brother Jim
put heavy hand on Brother Toms
shoulder.
"see here" he grufiy said, where
Is that black-mustached fellow with
the snaky eyes"
"oh, Just made him up" said
Brother Tom.
And Brother Jim suddenly laughed.
w. R. Rose. In Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
N,~