The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1907-03-07

sIBLE.
for his justlfable act ever since ne
made the complaint, and now Well,
he would take the girl home to bis
wife. She had more tact than he and
would know just what to do.
This mental throwing Of the respon-
slbility from his own shoulders brought
back his natural cheerfulness and
buoyancy, and he smilingly motioned
for the girl to climb into his wagon.
Ever ride after a mule before" he
asked as he left the animals head and
climbed up on the seat beside her.
"No." Then her face grew wistful
"Do you suppose father and the boys
are at home todayi"
Il low they won't be there jest right
now" he said evasively. "You see.
they didn't know you was comm, SO
they happen to be off for spell. But
| you mustn't let 1t put you out any,"
with more animation. "I'll take you
home. an my wife'll fix you up mighty
conf table till they git back"
THANK you. But why can't go
right to the house and wait for themf
1t would be such surprise"
"No, nor he objected, with sudden
entreaty. "By no manner o. means.
Bachelor livin' amt apt to keep a
house fixed up, an jest now 'tain't in
place for you. l know that You must
| do Jest like say an come to my house
for a spell"
"Well, II you think best" She was
silent for some time, watching the un-
familiar plants along the roadside and
the curious, bright colored chameleons
| that flashed from the warm sand In
front of the mule and disappeared
with marvellous rapldity among the
palmettos.
Gurus, amt they?' said williams
as he followed her glance. Jest like a
| bit o. rainbow strung on llghtnin'. But
they're 'mazin' fine things for pets.
Your brother Freddy used to have one
that would scoot out from some queer
hldin' place whenever he'd whistle.
Great hand, Freddy, for pets"
At the mention of Freddy she lost
interest in the plants and chameleons
and turned to him with tender. trem-
ulous smile on her lips.
ut 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 like-like heaven
to live In the same house with father
and the boys"
williams reached out and struck his
mule viciously, but she did not notice.
II suppose everybody round here
likes father, he Is such good man.
she went on In tone that was an as
sertlon rather than question.
'He kept you to school pretty
steady" returned her companion. 81
knew he had gal up north, but hat
an idee she was stayin' 'mong her kin
Father has done everything for M
everything" said the girl. with ten
der light In her big gray eyes. "H'
was not rich, for he once wrote that
might have to wait few days for m!
years tuition, as money was hard t
get. But It came the very next day
and he always sent me plenty 70
books and dresses and everything
wanted. He wrote for me never 3
stint myself on anything and that afte
graduated l was on no account :
come home, but to keep on with M
music and drawing and other studiei
and when l had learned all could a
the school he was going to send me I
Europe to learn more. Dear, dear "a
ther! hope l may be able to make
up to him some time"
Williams gave quick sldelong gianc
al the earnest face and then gase
steadfastly at the road ahead. He ha
known Booty John for eight years an
s. could not remember a single redeem
ing feature about the man. He wa
!, erratic, shiftless and utterly irrespons
. BILE. His life was one long spree tha
reeled between absolute drunkenness
and standardization. But he was
70 good lawyer and fine scholar and eve
10 ip his partial stupor was able to pic
UP good deal Of money about th
II courts and In other ways, People sur
70 posed that al this money went to th
dramshops, and the supposition mad
them regard the man with extreme dii
le gust, for his house was q mere how
= and his boys wholly neglected and VI
l cared for.
II When they reached the vine covere
~ cottage In front Of his orange grove b
70 carried in the trunk and valise an
3 presently called his wife aside an
~ :. made whispered explanation. The