Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-03-27

moment. and then 1t was too late, for
the man stopped and asked little Ed
die Newell, who was playing placidly
IN the dust-all the children played
placidly In Falrfield-asked Eddie In
a voice which reached Miss Matte
plainly. although the owner evidently
made no attempt to raise 1t. II he knew
where Miss Matte Saunders lived?
Eddie had not noticed the large
mans approach and nearly fell over
In fright. but seeing. with a childs
intuition, that there was no danger
in this fierce looking person he piped
up instantly.
"Yy-yessir. kin tell yer where she
lives-yessir! She lives right down
down with you jes' swell g not! Why.
there she Is now. on the stoop!'
"Thankee, sonny" said the big voice
Here's for miggles," and Miss Matte
caught the sparkle Of a coin rs II
few into the grlmy fists Of Eddie.
"Much obligedr' yelled Eddie and
vanished up the street.
Miss Matte sat transfxed. Her
breath came in swallows. and her
heart beat irregularly. Here was nov
city with a vengeance! The big man
turned and fastened his eyes upon
her. There was no retreat. She no
ticed with some reinsurance that his
eyes were grave and kindly.
As he advanced Miss Matte rose in
agitation, unconsciously putting her
hand on her throat. What could 1t
mean?
The gate was opened and the stran-
ger strobe up the cinder walk to the
porch. He stopped a whole minute
and looked at her. At last!
"Well. Matter he said. don't you
know mer'
A food Of the widest hypothesis
flashed through Miss Mattie's mind
without enlightening her. Who was
this picturesque giant who stepped
out Of the past with 80 familiar sal
utation? Although the porch was a
foot high, and Miss Matte fairly
tall woman, their eyes were almost on
a level as she looked Mt him IN Won
der.
Then he laughed and showed his
white teeth. mo use to bother and
worry you. Matte" said he. "You
couldn't call 1t In ten years. Well. I'm
your half uncle Fred's boy Bill. and
hope you're quarter as glad to see
me as I am to see you"
"Whatw she cried. Not little Willy
who ran awayT'
1.-THE same little Willy" he replied
In tone that made Miss Matte laugh
q little. nervously. "and what l want
to know Is, are you glad to see meT
"Why. Of course! But, WILL sup
pose should call you VIII? I am so
hustered-not expecting yOu-and It's
been 20 warm today. Won't you come
In and take a chairT wound up Miss
Matte In desperation and fury at her
self for saying things 50 different from
what she meant to say.
There was a twinkle In the mans
eyes as he replied In an injured tone:
"Why. good Lord. Matte! I've come
1000 miles or more to see you. and
you ask ME to take a chair Just as II
I'd stepped in from across the way!
Can't you give q man little warmer
welcome than thatr'
what shall dor asked poor Miss
Matte.
"Well, you might kiss me for a
start" said he
Miss Matte was oil abroad. Still
ones half cousin. who has come such
q distance and been received 50 very
oddly, Is entitled to consideration. She
raised her agitated face and for the
lrst time in her life realized the pleas
ure Of wearing a mustache.
Then Red Saunders. late Of the
Chanta Seechee ranch. North Dakota.
sat him down.
I'm obliged to you. Matte" he said
in all seriousness. ITO tell you the
truth. felt in need Of q little comfort
ing-here I've come oil this distance
and, Of course. heard about father
and mOther-but I couldn't believe It
was true. Seemed as II they must be
waiting at the old place for me to
come back. and when l saw 1t all gone
to ruin Well. then I set out to find
somebody, and do you know. Of all the