The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-08-02
CHAPTER l.
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glnzier by trade, gardener by
kslT< nature. stood slackly in the
July afternoon sunshine ad- |
mrng the glory" roses that budded
and bloomcd on the south gable of his
cottage With lazy, loving eyes he
gazed at them. and now and then he
drew puff from the brier pipe in the
corner Of his mouth and slowly emit
ted thin stream of smoke with some
thing Ikea sigh of contentment Thrice,
with an effort he had moved away,
and thrice he had retraced the few
steps and returned TO his roses.
The sound OF an opening door caused
him to start. and he grew red in the
Gace as his wife, rearing a bundle Of
washing 80 be bleached, came round
the corner of the cottage.
"Oh, David" she exclaimed (she usu-
ally called him Davie), you've surely
forgot the time. It's after g."
rs it, JessT' he said, with genuine
enough surprise in his voice adding
feebly, Il didna think it was as late"
The wife of two months regarded
him with grave eyes and shook her
head Il thought" she said after "a
short pause-"I thought you had gone
back to the shop an hour ago at least
You said you were going
AYE. But come an see the roses.
Jess
"Tn see them at the right time
when your works by for the day,
David" she replied seriously
"Gch, lass. ye medina be that strict
WI yer man." he retOrted good humOr-
edly. There's naethin' daein at the
shop this weather. Here, Jess, did ye
ever see a BONNER
"Theren never be anything doing at
the shop unless the masters there,
said Mrs. Houston firmly. ITS not
right, David"
But Angus is there"
"Angus! And what can Angus doy
"Well, he's no fit for muckle work
but-but he can tax orders
"And forget them"
''Puir buddy He's gettin' aud,
said David gently.
That's just all the more reason why
you should be looking after things fol
yourself. Oh, Davie Dayie, | doubt
you're too easy going''
Her husband looked uncomfortable
for he felt the truth Of her remark
though, as a matter OF fact, he was no
any more easy going than the othel
tradesmen of little Kinlochan-by the
Sea.
Mrs. Houston broke the awkward 81
lence, speaking more lightly than sh'
felt Ion you gor' she cried laugh
ing. "O6 you 40 this minute, Davic
lad, or I'll have to start the joinerin;
myself
ms pipe had gone out, and he slipper
il into his jacket pocket "Ne see
lass" he said apoiogetically, ''th
Ardmartin show is on Saturday an
Gamma but think o. the roses"
"Yes, know, Davie," she returned
with sudden sympathy. You're nc
TO think don't care about your rose
but-but'--
I'm lazy. stupid fellar' he intel
rupted. ''I'll ava TO ma work" An
he hurried of as il from temptation
He turned at the garden gate an
waved his hand to her, and she wave
hers TO him, smiling. But as soon O
he disappeared her young face gre
thoughtful, and she sighed as 81
started to spread the items Of h'
washing on the green.
When she had laid out the last Z
the bundle she rose erect stretchin
out her arms aud forcing back Ia
shoulders, for she was tired and sti
with the days Tlork, which had begu
between and 6 o'clock in the NOR
ing
A short chuekle sounded behind he
Aunt Waliaoer' she cried, turniI
and endeavoring 10 smile a eheerf
welcome.
"Ye're learnin', wumman; ye'
Iearnin'," observed her relative, staril
at the white patched green. mae do
ven dae better next time" she adde
bending her elderly but still acti
body TO examine at close quarters
specimen Of her niece's washing "A
hoOs yer guidmanT she inquired, r
ing at last from an inspection
lengthy, so keen and so patrOnizi
that the young woman could scarce
restrain her temper.
Hes quite well, thank you, aun
she replied, controlling herself.
Mrs. Wallace smiled rather sour
Il thocht he micht be no vera we
seein' that he needs abOOt three 'Oc
20 TAX MS dinner in"
did you meet him on the rOadr
Il seen him, but he never let on
seen me-"
Perhaps II sept him a little Il
today" said Jess
"Ye micht ken better nor dae th
Jessie. He's lazy enough wi'Oot
keepin' him But his fayther, pl
man. wis jist the saIne. II bates me
ken hoo his bit business hauds thegi
er never seen his mither She '
deid afore l cam 10 KinlOchan. 1
heard she had a vair time WI
lazy man. Aye. an l dOot it's yers
~ be haein' a.
Come into the house, and IN ma
You a cup Of tea, aunt" said j
hastily. You've had a warm walk
AIRS. Wallaes lived in a cottage abb