The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-12-30

very much interested in him.
81 bet she seen me somewhere on
Sunday" he unused. "She's pippin,
but l. guess I'm some apples myself
when l get me new harness on. It's a
darned shame that she didn't pipe up
a couple of weeks ago. She'd have put
1t all over Slim Bleecker's girl at TIL
ball of tn Milk Wagon Drivers asso-
citation. The Lady Flirts give their
blowout a week from Thursday, and
that's the day after pay day. won
der would the little dame give look." F"
Butch was firm believer In the
adage that faint heart ne'er won fair
lady," so as soon as his horse was
stabbed and his routine ended he made
for the fat house In which the Boyers
lived
He was somewhat taken aback when
Miss Jeanette answered the bell. Mat
tie worked only in the afternoons, read
ing to an invalid, and generally it was
she who paid the bills on Tuesday
morning when Butch made his regular
round.
"Where's the little ladyf" demanded
Butch, determined to brave 1t out. 81
want to say suthin' to her."
"My niece is out just now," was the
severe response. 81 understood that
she paid your bill yesterday"
"Bill be bowed" said Butch polite
ly. "This is personal game, see? !
got me money yesterday. l want to
make date wit her Get that over
your think plate?'
"You?' cried Miss Jeanette in dis
gust.
"Sure," was the easy response. shes
stuck on me shape and sent me mash
note. l amt wise up to all her talk,
but that's clear. Give look"
Moved to anger by the incredulity In
Miss Jeannette's look, he produced the
note, now sadly soiled. "You amt just
what I'd pick for monmer-in-law,
but guess I'll have to take you wit
tn rest Of tn furniture"
Miss Jeanette had lived in dread of
a misalliance for Matte, and now her
worst fears seemed about to be real
lied.
She gave another long, comprehend
ing look at the unshaven young driver
and, with little groan of horror, sank
to the floor in a faint.
Butch promptly took his departure
after giving a frightened ring on the
bell of the fiat next door, trusting that
some one might come to the woman's
relief He could not know that they
had all gone out, so 1t was Mrs. Car
man, summoned by piano agent,
who brought Miss Jeanette back to
consciousness. Miss Jeanette clung to
her convulsively.
did you see that milk wagon driv-
err" demanded the shuddering Miss
Jeanette. MY dear Mrs. Carman, that
man is going to marry Matte have
heard of young girls eloping with
their fathers coachman, but with the
driver of milk wagon! Do you
know that Matte actually has been
writing letters to himT"
A CLEAN of comprehension came into
Mrs Carman's kindly eyes. She knew
that Gene had come In late that morn
ing, and she could guess the rest.
Here might be an opportunity to make
things come out all right
81 suppose that Matte admired his
appearance" she suggested gently.
young girls very frequently do fall
in love with fine physique, and l re-
call that the driver Is very athletic.
If you had not interfered with Gene
and she'-
Miss Jeanette grasped her arm. ITS
not too late" she declared. Tell your
son that will make any apology he
demands. Perhaps if they see more
of each other Matte will forget this
mad infatuation"
81 am quite sure that she WILL" de-
clared Mrs. Carman comfortingly 81
will speak to Gene and ask him for
your sake to try and regain Mattie's
love-"
Miss Jeanette gave her rescuer
grateful glance, and the little woman
withdrew to sit patiently on the front
step to warn Matte when she should
return. There Gene found her when
he came out to go to work, and he
listened in great amusement while his
mother explained the situation.
"Of the two evils you are tile less,r
she reminded smiingly. Tf Matte
will only play her part well and con-
sent to gradually forget her milkman
you have Won"
II don't like being the lesser of Miss
Jeannette's two evils" declared Gene
happily as he bent to kiss his moth
er's wrinkled cheek, "but to save Mat
tie from her milkman am willing to
be even that, dear"