The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-07-06

guish of a pariah. Also to feel trucr-
lent and, IN his phrase, "westy."
With him "westy" meant that you
were as good as anyone else land a
shade better than a whole lot IL Il
came to a showdown" He was not
a little mortified to find how easy IL
was for him to fall back upon that old
cushion of provincial arrogance. 1t
was all right for Uncle Peter, but for
himself-well, 1t proved that he was
less finely eastern than he had imag-
ined.
AS the cage came down for another
ascent, he let the two solemn young
men go up with Shepler and Pangburn,
and went to search for Uncle Peter.
There, thank God, is a mani" he
reflected.
He found Uncle Peter in the cross
cut, studying a bit Of ore through q
glass, and they went back to ascend.
Then folks" said the old man,
must be the kind that newspaper
practical achievement. I bet that girls
mother will achieve something prac-
tical with you fur cuttin' the girl out
of the bunch; she was awful torment
ed; talked two or three times about
the people in the humber walks of life
bein' strangely something or other.
You amt such a humble walker now,
are you, son? But say, that yellow
haired woman, she amt a bit difident,
Is she? She's a very hearty lady, I
must say!"
But did you see Miss Milbrey?"
"Oh, that's her name, is 1t, the n
that her mother was 80 worried about
cunnin', but a heap too wise fur you,
son; take my steer on that. Say, she'd
have your pelt nailed to the barn while
you was wonderin' which way you'd
jump"
ooh, I know I'm only a tender, teeth
with mastery satire.
At the surface a pleasant shock was
in store for him. There stood the for
midable Mrs. Milbrey beaming upon
him. Behind her was Mr.. Milbrey,
the pleasing model Of all a city's re-
inements, awaiting the boon of a hand
clasp. Behind these were the uncom-
Portable little man, the chatty blonde
and the two solemn young men who
had lately exhibited more manner than
manners. Percival felt they were all
regarding him now with affectionate
concern. They pressed forward effu-
sively.
80 good of you, Mr.. Bines, to take
an interest in us-my daughter has
been SO anxious to see one of these
fascinating mines" lawfully obliged,
Mr.. Bines." Charmed, old man;
deuced pally of you to stay by us down
in that hole, you know" 80 clever of
you to know where to find the gold
He lost track of the speakers. Their
, speeches became one concerted effusioI
of affability that was music to his ears.
Miss Milbrey was apart from the
group. Having dotted the w~aterproofs
she was now pluming herself with
those fussy-looking but mysteriously
potent little pats which restore the at.
tire and mind of women to their nor
NAL perfection and serenity. Upon bel
face was still the amused look Percival
had noted below.
"And, Mr.. Bines, do come in with
that quaint old grandfather Of yours
and lunch with u.s." urged Mrs. Mil
brey, who had, as 1t were, spiked heI
lorgnon. Here's Mr.. Shepler to sec,
ond the invitation-and then we shall
chat about this very interesting west
Miss Milbrey nodded encouragement
seeming to .chuckle inwardly.
In the spacious dining compartment
of the Shepler car the party was pres
emily at lunch.
you seem so little like a western
man," Mrs. Milbrey confided gracious
ly to Percival on her right.
1--WE cal'late he'll fetch out al
straight, though, in a year or SO" pu'
in Uncle Peter, from over his chop
with guileless intent to defend hi!
grandson from what he believed to b.
an attack. "Of course a young man!
bound to get some foolishness int
him in an eastern college like this DO!
went to-"
Percival had flushed at the compli
ment to himself; also at the old man!
failure to identify it as such.
"Your grandfather is so dear ant
quaint" said Mrs. Milbrey; you mus
certainly bring him to New York will
you, for of course a young man of you
capacity and graces will never be sat
isfled out of New York"
young men like yourself are as
suredly needed there" remarked Mr.
Milbrey, warmly. .
Surely they are" agreed Miss Mil
brey, and yet with a manner tina
seemed almost to annoy both parents
Tney were sparing no opportunity tt
make the young man conscious of hi
real oneness with those about him, ant
yet subtly to intimate that people O
inst the Milhreys' perceptiOn were re