Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-26

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 Kippis was less respectful. He en tered when Matthews was rising, al redolent of bay rum, and surveyed the latter in mock amaze. My, ho, my!' he cried. "Hain't we bloomin' fine!' Matthews wriggled those faint lines upon his glistening forehead that served for eyebrows. You go soak youl head" he retorted.
 And no gun hon is 'ip," went or the sergeant. But wy, ho, wy does @ wear red shfrtsT'
 The interpreter spraddled, out his legs. Folks git rich mindin' their own business" he said meaningly. < Kippis could not forego a last gibe "Person d halmost think you's goin' | sparkin'," he declared.
 l Matthews gave start, and his keen eyes shot a searching glance at the sergeant's smiling countenance. What he read there reassured him. The oth. CT was bantering without a notion that he approached the truth. The inter- preter shrugged and stalked out. With in the hour he was on his way to the Lancasters. @., ..' '
 He did not go to the shack, however. From the cottopwoods he spied Dallas at work in the corn, so he directed his steps thither. She did not see him. Her back was toward the river, and the sun was glirting on her swinging hoe. Beyond her, on picket rope, was Simon, the bull. He was travel ing in a restless circle and sending lonesome blasts across the deserted prairie. He alone saw the interpreter and paused in his rounds, head raised and eyes bulging inquiringly. Dallas weeded on, unconscious of a visitor. The corn was shoulder high now and bearded It's long leaves swayed and whispered, covering the sound of Matthews approach. But when he was yet some rods off flock of ground sparrows rose before him with startled twitters., At that she looked back. The next instant she had caught up the Sharps.
 Matthews halted and lifted his hat, displaying hair pasted down to silky smoothness. "I ain't got no gun," he said quietly. q jus come for to have a talk"
 She made no answer.
 The interpreter shifted from foot to foot and mopped his forehead. q allus been sorry for what I done las win ter," he went on. "I was blame fool to come scarin' you gals-ought to knowed better. But, you see, when I started nobody told me there was women folks over here."
 Dallas took deep breath.
 "I wanted to tell you," continued Matthews. "And-and I wanted to say I feel sorry about you losin' your pa. Now he's dead, I wouldn't take this here land if you come to me and says, Nick, it's yourn.' That's jus the way I feel-yes, ma'am. I savvy how to treat lady, Miss Lancaster, gentlemanly and honorable"
 You talk nice," commented the girl.
 His looks faltered from hers. He gave his hard laugh. You're little out of temper" he said soothingly. "That's natural, though. You had a lot of trouble"
 "My troubles all owing to you," she answered passionately, "and I'll thank you to go-right now"
 He put out hand in expostulation. "Jus' a minute" he begged. You done me wrong, but don't hold it agin you. Jus believe didn't hurt your pa. And I admire you and your sister, sure I do. By golly! You're blamed sandy~
 "You take big chances to come here"
 "Eow, Miss Lancasterw His chin sank. He wagged his head dolefully. Then, whether from warmth or de- sire to display the glories of his raj ment, he took off his blouse.
 As he talked in a half whine that was meant to be placating Simon sud- denly became a more interested spec tator. He began to revolve again, and at the very end of his rope. slipping around with tigerish gracefulness, or, the rope taut, he halted as near as pos- sible to the two in the corn, stamped one forefoot angrily and shook his curly head. There, bold affront, was that blot of glaring scarlet. It awoke in him long slumbering lust for fight.
 But the interpreter did not remark the bull. After repeated praise and condolence he had arrived at the main object of his visit.
 'I got a proposition to make you," he was saying the while he cooled himself with his hat. 'It's jus this, and it puts a end to the hull row you and me will forgit what's past and done. EhT He paused impress lively and threw out an arm toward the shack. Smoke was curling out of the chimney. A slender figure was fitting to and fro within the open door. And If 1 come to see the little one maybe it'll be o. K.T' To make him self clearer he touched a hand to his mouth and waited toward the house a smacking kiss.
 Sudden fury seized Dallas. Her lips moved.
 A few rods away was another as fu- rious. one whose eyes were as red as