Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-04-03

well. I suppose must nave acted
like a ninny." she concluded. But
isn't he Just splendidr' And as Cousin
Wills handsome face, with its daring,
kind eyes, came to her vision she felt
comforted. II don't believe but what
he'll make every allowance for how
excited I was" said she. "He seems
to understand those things for all he's
such large man. Well. It doesn't
seem rs II 1t could be true" With a
half sigh, Miss Matte knelt and sent
up her modest petition to her Maker
and got Into her little white bed.
In the meantime Reds actions would
have awakened suspicion. He hunted
around until he found a tin can. then
lit a match and rummaged the barn
amid terror stricken sQuawks from tho
Inhabitants. the hens.
"One. two, three, four" he counted.
Reckon l can last out till morning on
that. Matte. she's white people-just
the incest ever saw-but she amt
used to providing for a full grown
man."
He stepped to the back of the barn
and looked about him. Nobody can
see me from here" he said in salts
faction. Then he scraped together q
pile Of chips and sticks and built q
fire. filed the tin can at the brook. sat
1t on two stones over the fire. rolled
/, himself cigarette and waited. A
large. yellow tomcat came out Of the
brush and threw his green headlights
on him. meaowing tentatively.
Hello. pussyg" said Red. You hun
CRY too? Well. just wait a minute and
We'll help that feeling. Like bread.
pussyY" The cat gobbled the morsel
greedily. came closer and begged for
more. The tin can boiled over. Red
popped the eggs In, pulled his ciga-
rette to a bright coal and looked at his
watch by the light. Gee! Ten min.
utes more now" said he. Hardly
seems to me rs II could wait" He
pulled the watch out several times.
whats the matter with the d-n
thing? believe It's stopped" he
grOwled. But Mt last 'Time!" he
shouted gleefully. kicked the can over
and gathered up its treasures In his
handkerchief.
Now. Mr.. Cat. we're going to do
some real eating" said he. "Just sit
right down and make yourself ut
home. This Is kind Of fun. by Jlnks."
Down went the eggs. and down went
the loaf Of bread In generous slices.
never forgetting fair share for the
eat.
"Woosh! feel betterw cried Red.
"And now for some sleep" He swung
up into the hayloft. spread the blan-
ket on the still fragrant old hay and
rolled himself up I'm a trice.
Il did a good turn when I came on
here" he unused. III have got only
one relation. she's a dandy-sO pretty
and quiet and nice. She's marker
for all I've got. Is Matte"
The cat came up. purring and max
ing bread" lie shifted feline fashion
at Reds face.
"Foo! Shoe! Go way. pussy! Set
tie yourself down and we'll pound our
ear for another forty miles. I like you
first rate when you don't walk on my
face" He stretched and yawned enor.
| mously. "Yes. sir. Mattie's all right"'
said he. "A-a-a-n H. And Chanta
Seechee Red was In the land Of dreams.
Here. back In Gods country. within
twenty miles Of the place where he
was born. the wanderer laid him down
again. and In spite Of raid and fOray.
whisky and poker cards. wear and
tear. hard times and. hardest test OF
all, sudden fortune. he was much the
same impulsive. honest, generous.
devil-may-care boy who had left there
TO-. -four years ago.