Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-22
CHAPTER V.
At the Bon Ami.

had trouble in Keeping up with him.
though she had always considered her
self a good pedestrian. But Jim Nun
son was laborins under strange en-
barrassment lie was red-facedly
conscious OF the attention he was at
tracing stridinE up the inclined
street from the station fin the van Of
the pretuest and most thoroughbred
girl who had struck Nelpen this long
time.
Not that he objected 20 attention
under normal conditions. Not be, He
courted IT, His chief aim in life
seemed 10 be TO throw the nmelight
OF publicity. first ON the Three Bars
ranch as the one and only in the cate
cory OF ranches. and 20 be connected
with IL In some way. however slight.
the unquestioned aim and object OF
existence OF every man, woman and
child in the cattle country: secondly.
on Paul Langford. the very boss Of
bosses, whose master mind was the
prop and stay OF the northwest. il not
OF an Chirstendom. and lastly. upon
himself. the modest but LOYAL servi-
tor In this Paradise ON earth. But girls
were Ear from normal conditions.
There were no women at the Three
Bars. There never had been any
woman at the Three Bars within che
memory OF man. To De sure. Willis
tons little Eirl had sometimes ridden
over on an crraul. but She didn't
count This-this was tho real thing.
and he didn't know just how 20 deal
with o.. lie needed time TO enlar-e
his sight 20 this broadoned horizon.
Tie glanced with nonchaiance over
his shoulder After an. She was only
glrL aua noe such big one. either
She wore longer skirts than Willis
tons girl. bur he didn't believe she
was day older lie squared about
Immediately. and what he had meant
20 say Die never said. on account OF
an unacC0uutablc thickclfur of his
tongue.
Presently he boited into "a buudinr.
which proved to bo the Bon Ami.
restaurant under the direct supcrvis.
ion OF The fat volublc and tragic Mrs.
Higgins. where tho mon from Tho
other side Of the river had right OF
wav a~f unlimited credit
"Whatu you havec" he asked. hos
pitab.5. ..e familiar air of the Bon
Ami bringing him back 20 his accus-
tla,cA -elf-coradcnt aparzor.
Might I have some tea and toast.
plcaset' said Louise sinking into a
chair at the nearest table. with two
startling yet amusing thoughts ram-
pant In her brain. One was. that she
wished Aunt Helen could have seen
her swinging alons In the wake of this
typical bold and lccnuous" man.
and calmly and comfortably sitting
down to coy itlo supper for two
at public eating house; The other
startling thousht was Co tho effect
that the invitation was redoicnt with
suggesuyencss. and she wondered 10
she was noi expected to say, "A whis-
he! li nc. please
Guess you Sin, answered Jim,
wondcr .n DIS voice 90 the exceeding
oarrenness of Che order. Mrs. Hig-
GINS helo there AIRS. Hiesinsl I say.
there, orins on some tea and toast
lot the LADY.
WNeIe is the Ihree Harst' asked
l-oul9c' neT 'uouS.ls stIaying TO the
'o'io'9 u l'Aiie cilFe through
At'anse ana uncann9 country with
sSl@Hser ana ye' more uncanny man.
enc Haa accepted h'm without Ques-
1On- rae was part ana parcel with the
81 ol "eI nc" position But
- '''''eaa Oh lAe transition Ifom
luie oonIeo.u'e 10 STA. 'iins reality mad
Ialaeu HeI plouu Heau ana she looked
ms He" ue'e-op lieht squSreiy In the
race without outward mint OF inward
peiSuDa'loH'
say "Ne'e was you ialsed asked
JIM win 'ole'"nI scorh' between
huse h'ou'nluis OF Ooliea PORK and
CABBAGE inlerspersed with baked po-
taloes' hot Tolls ana sossy dumplings'
sho'e'eo 10 WIN AAlle' loFA or spoon.
ne OCCASIONALLY anticipated dessert
Oy haAlhs sudden sorue into the
quarter OF an immense custard pie,
h"s'eulhs 'he eho oy means or noisy
oI@ushts OF Sleaining coHee. Truly
the hIee bars connection had the rat
OF me iaho at the bon Ami