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

at his chaps.
"Will you be N.Y.
Frightened at his holiness, he clap
ped his hand over his mouth.
F, "Can be your he began again.
| Angry ut himself, he said under his
breath, I'll never get this thing out
of my system" In his earnes.ness he
doubled up his fist ard shook it behind
the girls back. Suddenly she turned
and found. his clinched hand directly
| under her nose. She started back in
dismay.
Excuse me-" humbly apologiZed
Slim. II didn't mean fer to do that,
ma'am-'dcedy. didn't was only
that's-wel. reckon I'm Il little Bit
Slim looked directly at the girl for
the first time. She was trying to re-
strain her hearty laughter. Sims
face broadened in grin. You're a
mighty fine piece of work. you are, an
I've got an awful yearnin' to butt into
your family
Polly was greatly moved by Sims
sincerity. Don't, please DON'T" she
pleaded. "Why, I've known all along
that you love, me, butt
hesitated.
ave always liked you real well,
an I've been glad that you liked me.
l don't want to lose your friendship,
though-an', oh, please forgive me,
please do" Polly was very repentant,
showing it by the tones of her voice
and In her eyes.
Slim was puzzled at first. Then 1t
came to him that the girl had refused
to marry him. "Oh, low you-all amt
a-goin' to say you love me. then"
II don't believe am" Polly smiled
through her tears.
Slim paused, as If stcadyiug himself
to meet the full force of the blow.
"Mebbe it's along of my red hair?"
at is red, isn't it?" Polly smiled
kindly.
Slim ran his fingers through his
locks and then looked at his fingers,
as if expecting the color would come
off on his hands, "'Tain't blue" he
said.
Another thought came to him.
"Freckles?' he asked laconically.
Polly only shook her head.
"There's only one cure for freckles
-sandpaper," grinncd Slim.
But it isn't freckles," replied the
girl.
Slim looked at his hands and feet.
Maybe it's fat?" he hazarded. "Oh, l
know I'm too fat! 1t beats all how
do keep fat"
Slim looked into his hat and sighed.
"Well, suppose we don't get married
this year, do WEI"
mo, Slim" said Polly gently.
Nor any other year to Gomez" Slim
was still hopeful
THAT'S the way 1t looks now"
Slim put on his hat and tried to walk
jauntily to the fire, whistling bit of a
tune The effort was sad failure.
Here's where get off. Pm in sure
bad luck. Somebody must have put
copper on me when l was born. low
gotter be movin'.'
"You won't hate me, will you, Slim?"
The sheriff took the girls hands In
his and kissed them Hate you?" he
dlulOSl SuOuteu WHY, COuluu
learn to do that-no, siree-not in a
thousand years"
Polly slapped Slim on the back.
Pm glad of that she cried. Brace
up. You'll get a good wife some day.
There's lot of gcod fish In the sea"
Slim glarced at her ruefrlly. 81
don't feet mu h like goin' fish:n' Jest
now Would you mind tellin' me If I
lose ut on this deal along OF sonie-
body else a-holdin' all the cards 2"
Slim waited for Pollys answer
why. don't you know!'
NO" he said simply.
But he told me-
"W'ho is it," he insisted.
mo; if you don't know his name 1
won't tell you" decided Polly.
"Mebbe it's jest as we'll, too" as
sented Slim. Il don't think I'd feel
Snu too friendly toward him"
ITO he cOntinued1