Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-05-25
Observation-Disclosures
BEYOND THE
DEPOT
By Kate ~. CIeary
BY Kate ~. c
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,

The stranger lpped and courteous
" lifted his hat.
"Can you direct me- he began. then
broke off to remark: You're in trVa-
bic. Can help your
The girl dabbed hastily at her eyes
NO; oh, no.' And then, an arch look
sparkling up at him from under the
rainbow of her wet lashes, Unless You
eau prevent my stepmother from taxi
ing boardersr'
y qulz2cal responsiveness flashed in
to his keen eyes. He put down his suit
case and wiped his hot forehead. The
grassy bank by Tie roadside whore the
girl sal looked restfully tempting.
I've never been called upon to exer-
else my powers ofpcrsuasion or intiini-
dation in that particular respect he
assured her gravely. Il might try,
though. DO You mind if | sit down a
few moments While you state the case
in its entircty:"
She knew lie was laughing At her.
and she laughed too. She switch Ell Fer
pink dimity skirts closer, which is Il
woman's way of giving permission.
He tossed his panama hat OH the
bank and sank down beside her, He
looked long aud 1.-the. His features
were Irregular, ana there was tiuge
Of red in his straight brown hair. But
mis- gray eyes were handsome and had
laughter loving lines about them.
And why does this presumably esti-
mablc woman insist on taking board
ers? And What kind of boarders honor
her establishment? And-why do you
object?"
"One question at u time, il you
please she ordained dcnurely.
"Wcll, why does she take boarderS?"
"In the hope that some one of them
may marry Harriet"
and who is Harriet"
Her daughter"
"Oh. And do none of the--the In
dividuals honored by such hope re
ciprocate her ambtion?'
His companion wistfully contemplate
ed the tip of her shoe.
NO" she sighed; mot one, so far
And why?" he asked.
Because" She confessed forlornly,
''they fall III love with me.'
"All Of thcm?" he exclai med
She flashed OH him battery of dusk
brilliant eyes.
"Why not!" she counter questioned.
"4Ah, very -trne"' acknowledged the
young man They couldn't help them
selves, I'm sure Poor deyils!'
Don't waste any pity on them,' she
advised coolly.
Il don't, really. I'm thinking of the
next victim. You see in the midst OF
life we are-or are apt to be-in love."
She laughed, swinging her pink sun
bonnet by the strings.
But you haven't told me-" he went
on, what kind the boarders are"
She made a comical little grimace
and shook her head
"AsSorted ages sizes, professions
what dry goods men call Il job lot. But
they're all distinctly eligible. Mrs.
Macreath wouldn't take any other
An odd smile crept around his mouth.
And how many are there at the
house now" he persisted.
-Four" she answered
And each of the four in love with
you?"
She hesitated conscientiously
I'm not quite sure about the be-
reaved," she replied truthfully. "Tm
afraid he considers me frivolous. His
dear departed was not frivolous From
his condolences | infer that she was
depressingly proper and most madden
ingly Industrious.
She BOXED down at the slim, pink
fingers idly swaying the sunbonnet
and Hgain shook her head
But the others?" he prompted
90 two of them are very far gone
indeed" she replied briskly and
Harlow-he's coming"
He saw the corners of her lips witch
suspiciously. s..
You seem to have diagnosed their
cases pretty plainly" he remarked
grimly
She disclaimed credit with an airy
wave of the hands.
"Oh, that's nothing when you're used
to it, she declared.
"And how about Miss Harriet" he
demanded.
You've never seen Harriet or you
wouldn't ask. Oh, here she comes.
She is looking for me. won't 20 in
and can cherries this glorious day.,
She was on her feet and In d fash
mad scrambled up the bank and had
taken refuge behind clump Of wild
plum bushes. The stranger saw very
rat girl coming down the path. She
waddled along quite breathlessly Her
large round face was an ocher mono
tone in hue. Her tow colored hair was
piled up under one OF the lace draped
baby hats suitable only TO faces the
daintiest, the most plquant, and It
gave 10 her countenance the ludicrous
suggestlyeness of frilled cheese Tn
comfortably tight appeared the gown
or foulard silk that constrained her
ample charms. She peered from side
to side as she advanced.
Maureen" she called. you're want
ed. Ma wants you Mau-ree-n."
When she had lisanpao rod thara Voc