The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-03

and earnestly in Nora-s face, he rr,e,
his right and then his left cav for
ward until the members stood ,ea-1y
at right angles to his head.
After all, the ludicrous is but no
unexpected. Many laugh who see an
old woman fall Upon the sIiprs-y
pavement. This new spectacle wa.
the absolutely undreamed-of to Nora.
who was no scientist. Her laneE,ef
was irrepressible.
Sam followed up his advantage roy
ally. Il can work 'em both In ono"
he exclaimed triumphantly And I'd
so. There, Look a-here," He Wa
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 NAV long
continuously wag his ears. even alter
nately: therefore Sam perforce par=ad
in time. Yet by that time-in wat
manner it occurred no one nav know
Nora was seated on the chair ne,t 10
him at the table. They were alone.
Silence fell. Nora's hand moved nerv-
ously among the spoons. Upor il
dropped the mutilated one of Sam
"Nory," said he, "Td-Fd work IN
all my life-fer you" And to Nora,
who turned away her head now. not
for the purpose of hiding a smile. this
seemed always a perfectly fit and
proper declaration of this mans re-
gard.
Il know I'm no good" murmured
Sam. I'm awful coward. Hive
l-lloved you ever sence the fust time
that l seen you. but was such
coward, II couldn't-couldn'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? l got froze some,
a-drivin"
Yes, and" said Nora accusingly,
how did you get froze? A.driyin'
way down there, in the storm after
folks. No one else'd co.
why. yes. Cap Franklin, he went"
said Sam. That wasn't nothin. Why,
ocourse we'd go"
No one else wouldn't, though"
Sam wondered. Il was always too
much cowari! to say word to You"
he began. And then an awful doubt
sat on his soul
"Nory," he resumed solemnly, did
about my-II-I-well. my lovin you?'
Il should say not" said Nora. I'd
a slapped his face, mighty quick.
What business"
Not never single one?" said Sam,
his face Frightening.
mo. indeed. Why, I'd like to know
Did you ever ask anyone to!'
II should say not" said Sam, with
the only lie he ever told, and one most
admirable. Il should say mott" he re-
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 agin, 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. iii
never work my airs ag'in for any
woman in the world but you!"
ITO be continued.)
Carnegie Dialect.