Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-05-17

ming TO upset Inar nuenuons 1nC
hinge Of the plan was Miss Althea Ros-
well-a beauty, Miss Althea, If one
could have overlooked her nose. I'm
fortunately 1t stood out so boldly over
looking 1t was impossible. even in the
effulgence Of her many dollars. 1t was
the nose as much as anything else that
had made Granville Norris feel so
much at ease with her. She had come
for long visit, and Allingham was
making much Of her. yet somehow she
had not been brought face to face
with Baby. who had nowadays little
time and less money for rHffiing 1t in
the town gayeties. Norris himself saw
her but In little snatches. She went
and came so uncertainty and at such
odd times he could not waylay her and
calls were out OF the question. The lit
tie new home was so crowded 1t was
impossible to say anything there with
out having 1t reach all ears. Norris
felt that there was much which ought
to be said, but somehow had not yet
brought himself to the pitch Of say
ing 1t.
He glanced out of the window, his
eyes Frightening as they fell upon his
mother, driving her pony chaise. with
Althea snug beside her. He rushed out
to greet them and almost dragged them
inside. Very shortly thereafter he went
away with then-upon an errand he
did not In the least relish. Miss Althea
had heard Of Baby Curran's venture,
further, she had lost her heart to
fine saddle mare Baby had just bought
and sent out to exercise. She meant to
have the creature at almost any price, |
so Norris, perfOrce, went along to see
the bargaining. He did not go quite
blindly. Though he had never let him.
self acknowledge 1t, he was not insen-
sible to what he would gain if he could
bring himself to marry Miss Roswell.
II he meant ever to do that, it was
well not to set the new fancy beside
the old. He writhed at the thought.
hoping against hope for some miracu-
lous chance to take Baby away. But.
most inconsistency, he felt flooding
gladness at sight Of her, smiling wei
come from the door of the neat dingy
office.
She was sorry, dreadfully sorry, but
Black Leezy was not to be bought.
She had been bought, indeed, upon
special order from the city stable and {
would be sent there as soon as ever she {
got a little wonted to the hustle of
streets. Yes, she had got a fine COM
mission. No, Miss Roswell could not
lave the mare by doubling, trebling,
Iuadrupling it-not for anything at ALL {
She (Baby) was sorry to seem dis
'bliging, but she could do nothing else
,he had given her word and must keep |
t; had promised the dealer the best q
Iorse to be found and, having found
ne without match, was bound to let !
i'm have 1t.
Miss Roswell had been silken soft at |
be outset. Finding herself thus with I
TODD for the sake Of what seemed to
er a. fine spun scruple, she showed a
emper as high as her nose and founc- t
d across the stall front, saying to
Irs. Norris in pretended aside: isn't
lucky? didn't really want the
Iare - only to see what a woman \
Orse jockey is like. She's not bad "
oking either. You might take her to Il
? quite espectable-unless you knew t
etter." |
Baby heard every word, as Miss Ros- .
ell meant she should She stepped =
ack pace, going white, then red, her
lnds hanging helplessly at her sides.
orris likewise heard; he flushed dark .
and made as if to stand by his
weetheart. But his mother was call Z
lg him, likewise his duty as a cour-
.ous host. With a look half angry,
alf apologetic, he followed the two
.treating figures toward their car.
age. Halfway to it he stopped and
alf turned about, to see Marvin :,
landing with Baby's hand in his, her !,
ace raised to his and her eyes wet. u
he flung back to them, but a
ably waved him away. When he had '
one and the carriage was out of hear e
lg, she said to Marvin, with a little v
ard breath: Poor Granville! l ought =
OF to blame him. He has maybe T
aught my faith in spot cash"
Then, most unaccouatably. she hid
er face in her hands and sobbed hard
minute, but looked up after it, smil- :
lg a brave yet piteous smile. Marvin
'ok her hand again and pressed it
yer so little, saying in half whisper:
Honey, cry all you want to between
ow and the New Year. We are going /
get married then and live happy
yer after"
Baby's answer was a blush and ST. y
ence, but the wedding came off duly. +,
month ahead of the Norris Roswell t
flair. y
Legal blanks at this Office. K