Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-05-01

nuns he could think OF. but staying
strictly within the safe limits or the
harm. II was u revelation to the big
man. and not pleasant one. How
was he to know that the most salient
point Of his apparent cowardice was
nothing less worthy than respect for
the woman's security? That II he
would stop swearing long enough TO
get at the springs OF his action he
would find that he hcsitated because
the new light on the matter made huge
shadows of the slips In the career OF
4 strong, lawless. UNFRAMED but sorely
tempted man? He knew nothing of
the sort, and the funniest OF comedies
took place In the barn. He would
reach the sensible stage. "Pah' All
foolishncss. Go? OF course he'd go,
and this very minute, and have the
thing done with. good or bad" He
was quite amused ut his former con-
duct until he reached the dor: then
he'd skip ninbly back again, with
hot feeling that somebody WIS watch
Ing him, although Il careful inspection
through the crack of the door revealed
no one.
Red discovered another thing that
afternoon. which was that the more
nervous you are the more nervous you
get He aroaned in perfect misery:
"Ohoho! That l should have seen the
day when was afraid to ask anybody
anything. What's come over me any
how? It's this darn country, ! be-
lievc. 'Tain't me-" Then he stopped
short what you saying, Red?" he
queried. why don't you own up like
a manT The fact that 1t had funny
side struck him, and he laughed half
forlornly and half In thorough enjoy
ment He suddenly sobered down.
shes worth 1t anyway" said he.
'She's the best there is, and ought to
feel kind of leery Of the outcome.
Well, now / guess l won't say any
thing till there's downright good
chance. l see I didn't savvy this kind
'Iwouldn't be no kind Of manners to
step up to lady and shout, I'D like
to have you marry me II you feel you've
got the time" That don't go no more
than Chinaman on roller skates.
Your work is good. Red. but It's lit
de lumpy in spots. Them two left feet
bother you. You're good In your place,
but you'd better build fence around
the place, d-n the luck. Smothera
ton. I think she likes me, all right,
but when 1t comes to mOre'n that
oh, blast 1t. I'll Just have to wait for
real good chance! Now come. old
man, get four feet on the ground and
don't roll your eyes. Take 1t easy till
the chance comes"
Little he knew the chance was COM
Ing up the street ut that moment. Ho
only saw Miss Matte step out into the
bed Of flowers. her face looking IN
usually pretty and youthful under the
big straw hat, and start to reduce the
| weeds to order. She glanced around
as though In search Of some one. and
Red felt intuitively that the one was
himself.
| I1eTe WHeEe OuSut " uCl uS IL
wore long pants" said he. Nov.
what's to hinder me from going out
there and get a-talkingY And then
he sat down hastily. more Disguised
than ever and smote the air with
his fist. You'd think the incest, quiet
est woman that ever lived was wild
beast the way I act; yes. sir, You
wOuldw
Meantime the chance drew nearer.
It was not a pleasant looking oppor-
tunity. Its eyes. full Of dread and
dreadful. peeped out from beneath a