Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-07-26

meant, that had done something in
practical achievement. bet that girls
mother will achieve something prac-
teal 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 bit difident,
is she? She's a very hearty lady, /
must say!"
| But did you see Miss Milbrey?'
"Oh, that's her name, is 1t, the one
that her mother was so worried about
and you? Yes, / saw her. Peart and
cunnin', but 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"
"Oh, know I'm only tender, teeth
ing infant" the young man answered,
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 city's re-
finements, 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.
$50 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" so clever of
you to know where to find the gold"
He lost track Of the speakers. Their
speeches became one concerted effusion
of affability that was music to his ears.
| NAloo hillDiOy wac upuAL IlOlh lhC
group. Having dotted the waterproofs,
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 her
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 her
| 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.
eve caplate he'll fetch out all
straight, though, in year or So" put
in Uncle Peter, from over his chop,
with guileless intent to defend his
grandson from what he believed to be
an attack. ''Of course a young mans
bound to get some foolishness into
him in an eastern college like this boy
went to-"
Percival had flushed at the compli-
ment to himself; also at the old mans
failure to identify 1t as such.
"Your grandfather is so dear and
quaint" said Mrs. Milbrey; you must
certainly bring him to New York with
you, for of course young man Of your
capacity and graces will never be sat-
isfied 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 that
seemed almost to annoy both parents.
They were sparing no opportunity to
make the young man conscious Of his
real oneness with those about him, and
yet subtly to intimate that people Of
just the Milbreys' perception were re-
quired to divine it at present.
"These westerners fancy you one of
themselves, dare say" Mrs. Milbrey
had said, and the young man purred
under the stockings. His fever for the
east was back upon him. His weeks
with Uncle Peter going over the fields
where his father had prevailed had
made him convalescent, but these New
Yorkers-the very manner and atmos-
phere of them-undid the work. He
envied them their easier speech, their
matter-of-fact air of omniscience, the
elaborate and cultivated simplicity Of
their dress, their sureness and suffi-
cheney in all that they thought and
said and did. He was homesick again
for the life he had glimpsed. The west
was rude, desolate and depressing.
Even Uncle Peter, whom he had come
warmly to admire, Jared upon him
with his crudity and his western as
sertiveness.
| CHAPTER v.
| Up SKTPT.AP CANYON