The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-08-12


o ~ 8 sight OF an industrious fig
Z u ure in his mushroom pre-
wow serve, not hundred yards
from his farmyard. He took up an old
whipstock that was lying handy, -four
ished 1t grlmly and strobe clrcultously
upon the impudent thief.
IL was a big field, and George was
considering how best to trap his enemy
when something brought him to q
etandstill.
Proximity proved the enemy q woman
"a young wOman-attlred after the
fashion of town. The irate farmer
shifted his pipe and pulled doubtfully
at his beard. George was a bachelt
and wonderfully shy OF women. He
was half minded to beat a cautious re.
treat.
Pooh! a chit of lass. Now,
George" and throwing his weapon
aside, he urged himself forward.
He climbed the fence and walked
briskly up TO the trespasser upper
celved.
"Hellop'
The woman raised her head, and.
with startled cry, recOlled. She had
a small. pale face, that was powerfully
suggestive Of angels TO rustic George.
81 beg" George hastily recovered
the dignity of his position. His heart
beat quick, and he felt bit of an un-
couth fool; but surely II was not for
him to ask pardon.
You are trespasslng, MISS" he in
formed her, brusquely.
"Ohw
The woman breathed a sigh of relief,
and-smiled.
George was feeling bewildered.
"You are only the farmerT" thank.
fully.
"0nly the farmer" he replied. stu
pidly.
II thought-I was so frightened" and
the woman smiled a wlnsome apology.
"You are so big, and strongp'-she
looked him over with sincere, almost
childish admiration-at his brown, mus
cular arms, his mighty chest, and rest
ing her glance at last ON his bearded
face. "But you have kind eyes," she
added.
George blushed like any schoolboy.
Then all the stories he had ever heard
OF wOman's Establishments burst warn.
ingly over him, and he grew half indig.
nant. "rhe mlnxF he muttured, under
his breath.
And, determined not to be outwltted,
he stretched an arm toward the wom-
ans basket, which was full OF mush-
rooms.
II must take charge OF this, mlssv'-
sternly.
mo, you wouldn't take them from
met" she pleaded. irreslstlbly. "Pve
been hunting them since o o'clock. /
only reached the treasure house after
tramping weary miles. Now I'm LOST
ruefully-"and look at my poor feet
wet through
She held her skirts aside.
What a brute | amw muttered the
man.
II will pay you for themw eagerly.
mo, no." he blurted. at was-it was
a bit o. my fun, MISS" he said, lamely.
There's plenty for both on us, only
deliberately-"I don't like poachers.
miss, that's II. l don't mind you--you
won't hurt, miss; but I'm pretty smart
ON poachers, as l call 'em."
This was a vast piece OF oratory for
George.
"And | have never looked ut II I'm
that light" the woman frankly CON
fessed. "Of course It's steallngl I'm n
thief-ohP' and she put dowh her bas-
ket and held forth her slim arms, with
the wrists together, In n manner which
George could not mistake.
He laughed and manacled the pretty
thief with his thumb and first finger
Now, what have you to say for your
selfr Judlcially.
"Oh. ] won't do II again. slr!'
Her eyelashes fell rogulshly.
George dlscreetly let 10 and picked
up the basket. She was a little witch.
Are you staying In Fensbro' (the
village, mlssy"
Eyes; but I'm lostw hopelessly.
your best plan would be to cut
through my farmyard"
George led the way at good pace.
slow far is II to Fensbro'i" she in.
Qulred.
'Two miles, miss"
"And what time is II. pleasei"
"Half-past g."
"Half-past sg'-surprised. II may
well feel hungry"
you might have bit Of breakfast
with me-that is. II you don't mind"
Iubiously.
They stood by the farmhouse door.
"You might dry your feet as WELL"
be pursued, slowly, "and then could
Put you on the lane myself Polly's out
Tor the day-that's the worst OF II. But
ZONE IN, hiss"