The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-05-20

was all mistake and that OBADIAH
must be the advance agent for som,
farmer drama in disguise. A kindly pc
lceman directed him to the Common
and Soldiers monument, where on hii
arrival he seated himself and adjusted
a bit of red ribbon in his buttonhole
that being the sign suggested by the
unknown for his identification.
Soon he became aware that person
was watching him from a seat some
distance away IL was a woman. He
could not distinguish her features al
the distance, but her form was very
prominent She was robed in black
satin dress with strings Of jet across
the front which reflected many SHIN
mering points of light in the sunshine.
A feminine observer would have no
ticed that the satin was considerably
worn and rusty, but Obadiah thought
it was about the richest affair he had
ever gazed upon. However, it was not
the dress so much as the wearer that
amazed him. Her breadth was star
Ting.
II swow that woman is bigger round
than Matilda Razey," muttered Oba-
diah, comparing the stranger with the
largest woman Of his acquaintance
wonder what she's eyin' me for"
He hitched uneasily.
The object Of his attention arose,
shook out her glistening raiment open
ed a sun umbrella which. looked abb
surdly small and moved slowly in his
direction. He now noticed that she
carried in her hand q bunch of violets,
which was also an identifying mark
settled upon in his correspondence with
j. A. B.
EFF faint her, I'm an Injunp' thought
the surprised man. Great scatl
don't want her and don't want to see
her."
He covered the red ribbon with his
bony hand and sauntered away, trying
to whistle indifferently. Noting that
she quickened her pace, he accelerated
his correspondingly, endeavoring TO
keep the monument between them. He
circled the monument several times
with the lady bearing in his wake like
a ship under full sail.
II got to see her anyhow" he NUT
tered, "'cause l reckon she'll chase me
all day If l don't" He paused and
pretended to be greatly interested in
the monumental inscription. She was
quickly beside him.
Excuse me, SIR she began, 81 want
to ask If you was Mr.. Gimley."
lie noticed that the voice was low and
pleasing and tinged with q foreign ac-
cent.
Yes, ma'am; Obadiah Gimley, from
Bradley Holler." He turned and bob
bed his head, looking at her sharply.
What he saw was an attractive, pleas.
ant face, large, brown, kindly eyes. a
good mouth with fine white teeth and
q smile that dimpled the plump
cheeks in most satisfying way.
~Well, ask you because / want to
be sure you was Mr.. Gimley." She
looked him over with dubious express
sion. II don't think we should waste
some time any morel Good day. sirl''
she moved away
I'm bein' Tilted ag'inw muttered Oba-
diah, past experience in that direction
having sharpened his wits. He looked
after her anxiously. He felt different
toward her after seeing her face and
realizing that even if he wanted her
he couldn't have her.
I'D no idee she was so handsome"
he reflected. Say, ma'am, hold on
minute" he called, and a few long
strides brought him to her side ''Jest
set down. won't YEP He pointed to
seat under shady elm. The lady smil-
ingly complied. necessarily taking I'D
most of the seat, leaving Obadiah a
small space at the end.
"Of course you are ]. A. b." he be-
gan cautiously, 'ain't YEP
"Oh, yes, but you dor 7ook like what
thought"
NO, p'raps not" said Obadiah, glanc- |
ing sidewise at her ample form and
wondering If she really took up as |
much Of the seat as she appeared to. |
He gingerly seated himself on the small |
space visible. "P'raps not. We're ant |
o. W c'At, 4NCNc. DhlCC we COIl- |
menced writin', ma'am, I've thought O.
you in many shapes, but I'm free to
say never quite hit it,"
Vel, it's no harm done" She laugh
I'd pleasantly.
That's so; only If we don't make a
swap I've been to an all fired expense
settin' here and Obadiah fumbled his
whiskers soberly.
"Oh, you have plenty of money.
haven't your she asked, with a sly
oolS.
WAL, got enough to buy chicken
'eed If the grasshoppers fail" answered
obadiah. "but when the railroad taxes
'3.4O for a. ticket to Boston and the
anne back ag'in mans got to be roll
n In riches or stay to hum"
AT this the ladys ripping laugh
gain smote his ear pleasantly. Tie was
'eglnning TO like IT, He chucIxled re-
ponsiyely and they were soon getting