The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-01-18

When &c came TO the point Of ac-
tually carrying out his intentions on
that wonderful May afternoon, Mr.. 5.
Spencer Parker seemed to accomplish /
no more than a hunting dog chasing
rabbit in the tall rye. continually /
Jumping up and down and never get
ting anywhere. A dozen times he |
walked resolutely toward the brass
door-knob Of 1915. and as many times
he concluded to saunter languidly
past, as If he had no other reason
for appearing in that neighborhood
than simply to sun himself But
finally he summond up courage enough
to pull the bell-knob, and an imitation
cow-bell tinkled in the back OF the
house.
y. Spencer Parker, upon my word!
exclaimed the middle-aged woman
who came to the door, "And pay
what brings you here to-day2"
She spoke in a sweet musical tone,
in pleasing harmony with the difh-
dent demeanor OF her guest whose
every motion was quiet and respect
able, and whose voice sounded strange
ly like hers, as he replied: Just Wis
iting, ma'am. ! wished to pay you
my regards, Mrs. Simpson, and to con-
gratulate you upon Mr.. Watkins. who
is coming to board with you"
Congratulate mel" cried Mrs.
Simpson. why, | am indeed delight
ed TO hear that. DO you know.
have never seen him YETI"
"Yes7" The look in Mr.. Parker's
eyes was far away as he replied, and
his body bent forward attentively. I
have known Mr.. Watkins-Jeremiah
Watkins, maam--from boy. ! am
glad he is come to such home as
yours"
Indeed, you please me. Mr.. Parker"
returned Mrs. Simpson. 4 shall be
especially happy to tell our boarders
what sort OF person they may ex-
| pect."
Mr.. Parker gave a sudden start, but
carefully recovered himself. "Ah," he
said, that's what came to tell you
Of"
"Indeed?"
yes. Mr.. Watkins is a--a--a gen
tleman."
Again the courteous speaker leaned
forward as he spoke, struggling awk-
wardly for the next word-"but want
you to know that he is IA gentle
man."
"Ahl" returned Mrs Simpson. with
ready Intuition. 'Then he is perhaps
eccentricg'
mot exactly" replied Mr.. Parker,
thoughtfully and sweetly, "but he
looks. let me say. he looks rougher
than he is"
But he is"
"Yes," said Mr.. Parker. "He is {
gentleman"
Half an hour later the door closed
softly, and J. Spencer Parker came
down the front steps Of 1916. at firsi
smiling. and then sadly, walking with
slow, unsteady step. AS he passed
by the little corner grocery store. be
paused and smote himself pathetically
on the breast
'Liar!" he said, groaning Liar
And yet--it had to be done. Goc
forgive mel"
Anyone who had happened to ses
Mr.. Parker's friend, Mr.. Jeremy Wat
kins, on the next day, when he came
with his trunks to 1916, might have
+ been excused for cherishing the sus
picion that he was not exactly BeaI
Brummel or a Lord Chesterfield. Hs
cursed the baggage man for letting
his trunk fall roughly to the ground
and quarreled with him over his fee,
and, to further give vent to his feel
ings, he strobe to the door and gavs
the bell knob a vicious jerk. There
was not look on his face or a ges
ture of his body that did not revea
him a coarse, ill-mannered young man
properly of the stable. rather thar
the house. His square. rough face
with it's loose mouth and broad nose
hts burly shoulders and big hands
and his clothing. invioIate with re
spect to any previous contact with th'
whisk broom, bespoke a vulgarity 0
person that he did not attempt to con
ceal. 1t seemed almost impossible
that he should be friend or aequaini
|, anoe Of such a person as J. Spence
Parker.
, Mrs. Simpson, radiant. sweet AM
fresh, appeared at the door, and gazel
, at him for a moment. Then. seeing
: his trunks. she extended her han.
and said:
! "Mr Watkins, suppose?"
, "Yes." ]. Watkins was on the poin
Of asking her who in hi she though
! he was, with two trunks right ther
before her eyes; but something In he
ladylike manner evidently differen
! from what he had been accustomed t
checked him.
+ 4 am so glad to see you" sh
! went on. $50 glad to know that W
!. are TO have you here. We are almos
! like a family here, and so you ca
: imagine how much was pleased t
: learn that bur new lodger was Gu
! tivated gentleman
3 Watkins flushed angrily, supposin
! that she was making sport OF hin
4