Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-01-09
CHAPTER XVII

pleased with himself. BILL, SAN ne
as he flung off blouse and hat, wish
you'd NOV down this stubble of
mine"
The barber set about stropping a
razor. Don't want your name trim
med?" he inquired. Strikes mech
it's pretty long"
The interpreter loosened the collar Of
his shirt and took chair. Never you
mind about my NAME" he answered.
AIt's just as long g | want 1t. You
turn loose on my chin" He leaned
back to elevate Il pair of bright topped
boots.
The other directed his gaze upon the
sharpening blade. do you happen t
know Portugee?" he asked humbly.
"One Of the boys is loony on gal at
Bismarck that he amt writ to for
year She's Portugee"
Matthews gave a dismlssing wave
of the hand. 81 savvy English and
most Injun,' he said; none of them
fancy languages, though. | been to
school only week in my hull life.
That was down in Omyha, and one
week was plenty" At the remem-
brance he shook with silent laughter
'AThat week. as | say, was 'nough for
me. The teacher-she was lady,
mind y'--tries to tell me that it's the
same blamed sun we see comm up ev-
cry mornin'. Look a-here, now.'
says: Don't we git new moon onct
IN a while7 Then, what's the matter
with havin' change of sunr Well.
that plumb stumped her. She shut up"
The barber was now ready for oper-
mfions, so Matthews adjusted bis shout
ders. closed his pink lidded eyes and
followed the suit Of his nonplused
teacher.
Bill felt there was something In
the wind and longed to question Mat
fhews. vet dared not The interpreter,
formerly so feared and even disllked,
by the enlisted men. was now regarded
ia B troop as generally misunderstood
and maiigned individual-this in con-
sequence OF the Lancaster inquiry;
hence he was playing the role of in
5ured innocence and seriously taking
himself for popular hero. He was
more cocksure and conceited than ever
before and more prone to brag and
bully. Scraping diligently away the
barber shuddered at the thought Of
even letting the razor slip.
Kippls was less respectful He en-
tered when Matthews was rising, all
Eedolent of bay rum, and surveyed the
latter in mock amaze. MY, no, myl'
be cried. "Hain't we bloomin' finer
Matthews wriggIed those faint lines
upon his glistening forehead that served
for eyebrows. "You go soak your
head" he retorted.
"And no gun hon is lip" went on
the sergeant @But wy, no, wy does
p wear red shirts?'
The interpreter spraddled out his
legs. Folks git rich mindin' their
own business" he said meaningly.
Kippis could not forego last gibe.
s.Person d halmost think you's goin'
gparkin'," he declared.
Matthews gave start and his keen
eyes shot searching glance at the
cergeant's smiling countenanee. What
he read there reassured him The 9TH
er was bantering without a notion that
he approached the truth. The inter.
prefer shrugged and stalked out. With.
IN the hour he was on his way to the
Lancasters.
He did not go to the shack, however
From the cottonwoods he spied Dallas
at work in the corn, so he directed his
steps thither She did not see him
Her back was toward the river, and
the sun was glinting on her swinging
hoe. Beyond her, on picket rope
was Simon, the bull. He was travel
ing In a restless circle and sendin;
lonesome blasts across the deserted
prairie. He alone saw the interpretel
and paused in his rounds, head raised
and eyes bullying inquiringly.
Dallas weeded on, unconscious of {
visitor. The corn was shoulder higl
now and bearded, Its long leaves
Swayed and whispered, covering tn
sound of Matthews approach. Blu
when he was yet some rods off a fiocl
OF ground sparrows rose before hin
with startled twitters. At that sh
looked back. The next instant sh
had caught up the Sharps.
AutlhSNS udlleu anu ittteu us Ldl
displaying hair pasted down to silk,
smoothness. 81 amt got no gum" b
said quietly. 81 jus come for to hav
q talk"
She made no answer.
The interpreter shifted from foot t
foot and mopped his forehead. Il allu
been sorry for what l done las win
ter" he went on. 81 was blame foe
to come scarin' you gals--ought I
knowed better. But. you see. when
started nobody told me there wa
women folks over here"
Dallas took deep breath.
Il wanted to tell you" continue
Matthews. "And-and / wanted [
say feel sorry about you losin' you
pa. Now he's dead, wouldn't tax
this here land If you come to me an
says. Nick, it's yourn.' That's Jul
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