The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-04-27
BEYOND THE
DEPOT
Cy K ofe N. CledrY
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyrjy..t. 1901. bg Katc II. Gleaap


Yy lifted his hat.
st'an you direct me- he began, then
+ off to remark: you're in trou-
ssic an help you?"
III RI dabbed hastily at her eyes.
mo; no. Aud then, an arch look
sparkling at him from under the
rainbow Oh Ter wet lashes UNLESS you
can pteyent my stepmother from tax
ing boasders!''
A quigzicai responsiveness flashed in
to his keen eyes. He put down his suit
case and wiped his hot forehead. The
grassy bank by the roadside where the
girl sat looked restfully tempting.
1--WE never been called upon to exer-
else my powers OF persuasion or intimi-
dalton in that particular respect he
assured her gravely. Il might try,
though Do you mind if l sit down a
few moments while you state the case
in its entrety?"
She knew he was laughing at her,
and she laughed too. She, switched her
pink dimity skirts closer. which is a
w0man's way of giving permission.
He tossed his panama hat on the
bank and sank down beside her. He
looked long, and 1.-the. His features
were irregular, and there was a tinge
of red in his straight brown hair But
his gray eyes were handsome and had
laughter loving lines about them.
And why does this presumably esti-
mable woman insist on taking board
ers? And what kind Of boarders honor
her. establishment? And-why do you
object?"
Zone question at time. if you
please she ordained demurely.
swell, why does she take Doarders r,
..In the hope that some one of them
may marry Harriet
''And who is Harriet?"
s'Her daughtep."
ooh! And do none of the-the. in
GfYiduals honored by such hope re-
oiprocate her ambition?'
His companion wistfulIy contemplate
ed the tip of her shoe.
NO" she sighed; mot one, so far
And why?" he asked.
y
they fall in love with met.
@.All Of them?' he exclaimed.
She flashed on him battery of dusk
brilliant eyes.
Why notf she counter questioned
'.Ala, very true!" acknowledged the
young man. ''They couldn't help them
selves, I'm sure, Poor devilsr'
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 cf
life we are-or are apt to be-in lover
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 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 nowT' he persisted
-Four" she answered
6 ttAnd each of the four in love with
you?"
She hesitated conscientiously.
'T'm not quite sure about the be-
reaved," she replied truthfully "I'm
afraid he considers me frivolous. His
dear departed was not frivolous. From
his condolences I infer that she was
Increasingly proper and most madden
ingly Industrious
She looked down at the slim, pink
fingers idly swaying the sunbonnet
and again shook her head.
''But the 0thersY' he prompted.
'tOh, two Of them are very far gone
indeed! she replied briskly. ''And
Harlow-he's coming"
He saw the corners of her lips twitch
suspiciously. -
''You seem to have diagnosed their
cases pretty plainly" he remarked
arimly.
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 go in
and can cherries this glorious day.
She was ON her feet and in flash
had scrambled up the bank and had
taken refuge behind q clump of wild
plum bushes. The stranger saw very
fat 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 piquant, and it
gave to her countenance the ludicrous
suggestiveness of frilled cheese. I'm
comfortably tight appeared the gown
OF f0uIard silk that constrained her
ample charms. She peered from side
to side as she advanced
s'MaureenH' she called you're want