The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-07

sIBLE.
for his justifable act ever since he
made the complaint, and now Well.
he would take the girl home to his
wife. She had more tact than he and
would know just what to do
This mental throwing of the respon-
sibility from his own shoulders brought
back his natural cheerfuluess and
buoyancy, and he smilingly motioned
for the girl to climb into his wagon.
Ever ride after mule before?" he
asked as he left the animals head and
climbed up on the seat beside her.
NO" Then her face grew wlstful.
DO you suppose father ami the boys
are at home today"
Il low they won't he there jest right
now" he said evasivcly. You see.
they didn't know you was comm, so
they happen to be off for spell. But
you mustn't let it put you out any,"
with more animation. I'm take you
home, an my wife'n fix you up mighty
conf table till they git back"
Thank You. But why can't | 20
right to the house and wait for them?
1t would be such a surprise"
NO, no" he objected. with sudden
entreaty "By no manner o means.
Bachelor Twin amt apt to keep a
house fixed up, an jest now faint in
place for you. | know that. You must
do jest like l say an come to my house
for a spell"
well, if you think best" She was
silent for some time watching the I'M
familiar plants along the roadside and
the curious, bright colorcd chameleons
that flashed from the warm sand in
front Of the mule and disappeared
with marvellous rapidity among the
palmettOS.
Gurus, amt they" said Williams
as he followed her glance Jest like a
bit O rainbow strung on lightnin But
they're main fine things for pets.
Your brother Freddy used to have one
that would scOot out from some queer
hidin place whenever he'd whistle
Great hand, Freddy. for pets"
At the mention of Freddy she lost
and turned to him with tender trem-
ulous smile on her lips.
1T will be so pleasant to have ones
own folks to live with" she said softly
They were all nice to me at the
school, but none of them belonged to
me. 1t will be almost lke-like heaven
to live in the same house with father
and the boys"
Williams reached out and struck his
mule vlciously, but she did not notice
Il suppose everybody round here
likes father, he Is such a good man."
she went on in a tone that was an as
sertion rather than a question.
He kept you to school pretty
steady" returned her companion. 81
knew he had a gal up north, but had
an idee she was stayin' 'mong her kin"
Father has done everything for me
everything, said the girl, with a ten
der light in her big gray eyes. He
was not rich, for he once wrote that
might have to wait a few days for my
years tuition, as money was hard to
get. But 1t came the very next day,
and he always sent me plenty for
books and dresses and everything
wanted. He wrote for me never to
stint myself on anything and that after
l graduated was on no account to
come home, but to keep on with my
| music and drawing and other studies,
and when had learned all could at
the school he was going to send me to
Europe to learn more. Dear, dear IA
Their! hope l may be able to make it
up to him some time"
Williams gave quick sldelOng glance
at the earnest face and then gaZed
steadfastly at the road ahead. He had
known Booty John for eight years and
could not remember single redeem
ing feature about the man. He was
erratic, shiftless and utterly irresponsl-
BILE. His life was one long spree that
reeled between absolute drunkenness
and standardization But he was a
good lawyer and fine scholar and even
In bis partial stupor was able TO pick
up good deal OF money about the
courts and in other ways. People sup
posed that all this money went to the
draIushops, and the suppostion made