Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-04-27

the boudOlr was now reduced to the
proportions of two fer nickel"
"Yep," assured the sheriff "They
are named after Roosian, one Of
them diplomat fellers."
whats diplomatic" Polly asked.
Slim chuckled and with twinkle
in his eye drawled: "a diplomat is
man that steals your hat an coat an
then explains 1t SO well that you give
him your watch an chain. Sabe?'
Polly did not understand. She felt
that Slim was laughing at her. but she
could not see any fun in his remark
To end the discussion, however, she
said, II sabe''
Polly sauntered away from the
wagon. AS she passed Slim he tried
to put his arm about her waist. She
skillfully evaded him. The sheriff
Joined her in the shade of cotton,
wood. You know I've been thinkin'
e lot Of you lately, Miss Polly?'
"Only lately?" she asked mischie-
vously.
"Well, yes-that is"-
This conversation was becoming too
personal for Bud, who in an effort to
hear all Slim had to say moved incau-
tiously in the wagon. Slim heard him.
"Who's In that wagonY he cried,
moving toward it. "Show Low
asleep?"
'No-Buddy," said Polly, thinking she
might as well confess the deception
first as last and using the childish nick
name of her lover In order to soften
Sims anger against him.
Nobody" repeated Slim, not fully
convinced that he was mistaken, but
stopping In Difference to Pollys ap-
parent denial.
"Who do you s'poseY" asked Polly
pertly. taking courage when she found
that Slim did not continue his inyesti-
CATION. "You amt after any Buddy
are your
mo, but I'll just take look in here,
cause got somethin' particular to say
to you, Miss Polly. an don't want no
listeners" And he moved forward
again.
At this juncture Polly began to ply
her arts as a coquette. Looking shyly
at Slim, she murmured, "Are you sure
you are not after anybody?" The en-
phasis on the last word was SO plain
that shrewder lovemaker than Slim
would have been deceived
"Eh? What's that?"
Polly turned her back to him with
assumed bashfulness Sims courage
arose at the sight. well, reckon this
is pat hand fer me, an that's the
way Pm a-goin' to play 1t, if I've got
the nerve"
Slim smoothed down his tangled hair
and brushed off some of the dust which
whitened his shoulders. Look here,
Miss Polly
Then his courage failed him, and he
stopped. Polly glanced at him to help
him over the hard places. Slim was
greatly embarrassed. my heart is
right up in my throat. Well, l might
as we'll spit it out" he thought aloud.
Again Slim started toward the girl
to tell her OF his love, and again his
courage failed him, although Polly was
doing her best to help him.
Look here, Miss Polly, I've been aft
er somebody fer long time now"
"Horse theft" asked Polly coquet
tishly.
mo, heart thief" blurted Slim.
"Stealin' hearts amt no harm'
"Well, just the same, Pm goin' t.
issue writ Of replevin an try fer t
; git mine back" laughed Slim. He wa:
about to slip his arm about her wais
when she turned and faced him. Tht
action so disconnected him that hi
jumped backward as If the girl was
about to attack him.
''Where Is it?" asked Polly.
Slim, deeply in earnest, replied
"You know where it's hid You know
: just as well as kin tell you"
Polly became remorseful. She real
: tied how much Slim was suffering
and she was sorry that her answer t
= him would be disappointment.
''Please don't say any more, Slim,
she said as she stepped away. slim
: followed her up and, speaking owe
her shoulder, said: II can't help II
Q You've got my feelin's stampeded now
i an they sure has to run. Ive had q
itchin' in my heart fer you ever sine
II first knowed you. You come froI
n Kentucky. Well, was kinder borne
7, up that way myself, In Boone count.
an that sorter makes-well, If it die
what want to know is"-
Slim hesitated and nervously haule