Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-05-24
Copyright, 1905, The BObbs-Merrill Company.
CHAPTER IV.-CoNrINUED.

whether to scream or run.
Hi, Jack! say, you old henpecked,
where are you?"
The dining-room door slid back and
tall, studious-looking gentleman,
rather plain than otherwise, stood on
the threshold.
Jane, what is all this Why, Bob,
you scalawag! and in a moment they
were pumping hands at a great rate.
The little maid leaned weakly against
the balustrade.
kit, Kit! l say, Kit, come and see
who's here!" cried John.
An extraordinarily pretty little
woman, whose pallor any woman
would have understood. but no man
on earth, and who was dressed in a
charming pink negligee morning.
gown, hurried into the hall.
why, it's Bob!" She flung her
arms around the prodigal and kissed
him heartily, held him away at arms
length, and hugged and kissed him
again. I'm not sure that Mr.. Robert
didn't like it,
Suddenly there was a swish of
starched skirts ON the stairs, and the
most beautiful woman in all the world
(and | am always ready to back this
statement with abundant proofsD
rushed down and literally threw her
self into Mr.. Roberts eager, out
stretched arms.
Nancy"
Bob! Bob! you wicked boy! You
oil &,
two months!-How could you!- You
might have been dead and we not know
it!"-and she cried on his shoulder.
Come now, Nancy; nonsense!
You'll start the color running out of
this tie of mine!" But for all his jest
Ing tone, Mr.. Robert felt an embarrass-
ing lump wriggle up and down in his
throat
'Had your breakfast?" asked the
humane and practical brother.
Yep. But | shouldn't mind another
cup of coffee"
And thereupon he was hustled into
the dining-room and pushed into the
best chair. How the dear women
fused over him, pressed this upon him
and that; fondled and caressed him,
just as if the beggar was worth all
this trouble and love and affection.
Hang it, girls. it's worth being an
outlaw to come to this" he cried. He
reached over and patted Nancy on the
cheek, and pressed the young wife's
hand, and smiled pleasantly at his
brother. Jack, you lucky pup, you!"
1.-TWO years" murmured Nancy;
and we haven't had a glimpse of you
in two long years"
"Only in photograph" said the
homeless one. putting three Jumps
of sugar in his coffee because he was
so happy he didn't know what he was
about
And you have turned 28," said Kit,
counting on her fingers
THAT makes you "a, Man." Jack
laughed.
"And much care!" replied Nancy.
shaking her head defiantly. I've a |
sneaking idea that she was thinking
of me when she made this declaration. |
For if | didn't care, why should she?
A handsome, stunning girl like you, |
Nan, ought to be getting married." OBJ |
served the prodigal. What's the mat |
ter with all these dukes and lords and |
princes, anyhow"
An embarrassed smile ran around |
the table, but Mr.. Robert missed it |
by several inches.
Jack threw cigar across the Ia
.ble. Now" said he, where the
deuce did you come FROM"
indirectly from Arizona, which is
synonym once removed for war"
Jack looked at his plate and laughed;
but Mrs. Jack wanted to know what
Bob meant by that
ITS word used instead of war.
as applied by the late Gen. Sherman"
Jack replied. "And | am surprised
that brother-in-law of yours should
so far forget himself as to hint It
even"
by the way, Jack" said my hero.
lighting the cigar and blowing the
first puff toward the ceiling, his face
admirably set with nonchalance. do
you know of a family named Annes-
ley-Col. Annesley?" | knew it would
take only certain length of time for
this question to arrive.
Col. Annesley? Why, yes. He was
in the war department until year
ago. A fine strategist; knows every in
and out of the coast defenses. and is
something of an inventor; lots of
money, too. Tall. handsome old fell
low?"
That's the man. a war volunteer"
NO, a regular. Crippled his gum
fingers In some petty Indian war. and
was transferred TO the department. lie
was a widower. If my recollection of
him is correct, aud had lovely
AM There was great satisfac-
ton evident In this syllable. DO YOU
know where The colonel Is now?"
"Not the faiutest idea IIc lived ,