The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1904-05-13

and earnestly in Nora's face, he pulled
his right and then his left ear for
ward until the members stood nearly
at right angles to his head
After all, the ludicrous is but the
| unexpected. Many laugh who see an
old woman fall upon the slippery
pavement. This new spectacle was
the absolutely undreamed-of to Ncra,
who was no scientist. Her laughter
was irrepressible.
Sam followed up his advantage roy
ally. Il can work em both to onct!"
he exclaimed triumphantly. And did
so. There. Look a-here." He wag-
gled his ears ecstatically. The reserve
of Nora oozed, waned, vanished.
Even the sternest fiber must at
length succumb under prolonged Her
culean endeavor. No man may long
continuously wag his ears, even alter
nately; therefore Sam perforce paused
in time. Yet by that time-in what
manner it occurred no one may know
Nora was seated on the chair next to
him at the table. They were alone.
Silence fell. Nora's hand moved nerv-
ously among the spoons. Upon it
dropped the mutilated one of Sam.
"Nory," said he, "Fd-Td work 'em
all my life-fer you!" And to Nora,
who turned away her head now, not
for the purpose of hiding smile, this
seemed always perfectly fit and
proper declaration of this mans re-
gard.
Il know I'm no good" murmured
Sam. I'm a awful coward Hive
l-l-loved you ever sence the fust time
that | seen you, but | was such a
coward, II couldn't-couldn't t"
You're not" cried Nora imperi-
ously.
"Oh, yes, am" said Sam.
Look at them" said Nora, almost
touching his crippled fingers. Don't
| know"
"Oh, that" said Sam, hiding the
hand under the droop of the table
cloth. why, that? | got froze some.
a-drivin'."
Yes, and" said Nora accusingly,
chow did you get froze? A-drivin'
way down there, in the storm, after
folks. No one else'd 60
why, yes, Cap Franklin, he went"
said Sam THAT wasn't nothin'. Why
o'course we'd CO."
mo one else wouldn't, though"
Sam wondered. Il was always too
much a coward to say word to you,"
he began And then an awful doubt
sat on his soul.
"Nory," he resumed solemnly, did
ever any Teller say anything to you
about my-I-I-I-wel, my lovin' you?"
Il should say mott" said Nora. I'D
a slapped his face, mighty quick!
What business"
Not never a single one?' said Sam,
his face Frightening.
mo, indeed. Why, I'd like to know?
Did you ever ask anyone to-"
Il should say mott" said Sam, with
the only lie he ever told, and one most
peated with emphasis, and in tones
which carried conviction even to him
self.
You'd better mott" said Nora. Il
wouldn't of had you if they had!"
Sam started. Whats that, Nory?"
he said. Say that ag'in! Did you
say you wouldn't of had me-you
wouldn't off" His hand found hers
again.
Yes faltered Nora, seeing herself
entrapped by her own speech.
Then, Nory," said Sam firmly, cast
ing big arm about her waist, ''if you
wouldn't of had me then | reckon now
you do" And neither from this
subtlety nor from the sturdy arm did
Nora seek evasion, though she tugged
family at the fingers which held fast
her waist.
81 don't care" she murmured vague
ly "There amt no coward would of
done it," Whereat Sam, seeing him
self hero, wisely accepted fate and
ceased to argue. The big arm tight
ened manfully, and into his blue eyes
came the look of triumph.
"Nory," whispered he Loyalty, "I'n
never work my airs ag'in for any
woman in the world but you!"
ITO be continued)
~.