Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-08-27

to keep out of his love affairs In fu-
I ture."
"You just bet willr' declared T. @.
7 with JUNCTION. Lovers are funny peo-
pie. There's Nell just crying her eyes
/ out because you carry some other
girls picture In your watch"
What do you know about that pic
ture" asked Hardy tensely. did you
tell Nell about that"
II saw II one day when you left
your watch on the desk" explained T.
O. II didn't tell Nell. just said IL
was funny that you had another girls
picture In your watch when Nell's new
pictures are so much prettier."
Hardy sprang up from his desk and
set It. c. upon her feet
look here, Peterkin." he proposed
you take this dime and find a place
where you can get Ice cream soda.
Don't be In too much of hurry TO
I'll slip over TO the house and sort of
prepare them for the news that you
are expelled"
T. c. gurgled a delighted assent, and
presently they emerged from the Office
building, aud L. G. went skipping
along to the candy store, while Jaclf
made for the Westeryelt home.
Nell was sitting on the shade piazza
as he came up the path. As she saw
him she rose to her feet, but it was
too late for a graceful retreat. He
sprang up the steps and caught her
hand.
Don't go in," he pleaded. Lets sit
out here. 1t is more pleasant"
''Shall call fatherT she asked
HE Is in the library"
II hope to see him before / CO." de-
ciared Hardy meaningly. But first
want TO speak to you"
Nell flushed at the suggestion, but
she resumed her place In the rocker.
and Jack drew a chair to her side.
when l asked you to marry me you
said something about another girl" he
began, plunging directly into the sub
ject "At the time ! suspected that
T. C. might be able TO explain the al
fusion, but did not dare question her
too closely lest l give forth more In
formation than obtained She let it |
out today. Was it because of that 9TH |
er girl in my watch that you refused |
me, Nell?"
mo woman cares to be counted sec
ond best" was the defensive reply. |
Have you changed the photograph |
againY'
II have not changed" he said slowly.
but want you to see it"
He held the watch toward her with |
the back case open. She saw the like
ness of a gentle faced woman who I
somehow suggested an earlier period in
spite of the modern photography ST.
emily she passed 1t back to Hardy and
waited for an explanation.
This is my fathers watch" he be-
gan. ''The picture is that of my moth
sr. When she died we had only an old
painting of her. Father had it copied,
md they made a splendid Job of it.
That Is why l have another woman's
picture In my case. When you spoke
II the other woman could not know
hat Sally had been investigating my
watch. She found 1t on my desk one
lay just learned this and understood
our feeling of resentment"
II supposed that you knew and had
10 explanation to offer"
And you will give me another an
Iwer nowY' he asked as he gained pos
session of her hand
An hour later freckled face thrust
tself above the hedge of the Wester-
'elt lawn; then, seeing Hardy on the
'iazza, L. @. came boldly forward.
did you fix 1t, JackT' she demand
d. Hardy blushed
II was fixing another of your
he explained. Nell, Peterkin
las been expelled from school, but I
ave promised to see Torrance in her
'ehaif. Meanwhile / have promised
hat she will not be scolded."
Il couldn't scold her this afternoon"
aid Nell as he gathered her trouble
ONE little sister to her breast. .You
bake a great deal of trouble for people.
;. c.. sometimes, but then again you
ct them right"
I'm not to blame that there ISN'T
ny stopper to my BRAIN" was the ag-
rfeved explanation. sack knows that
'hnt's why he fixed things for me all
Ight."
You're DEAR" said Nell and Jack
! chorus and for once the town crier I
ad the comfortable feeling that she
'as appreciated.