Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-29


the boudoir 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 Il diplomat" Polly asked.
Slim chuckled and with a twinkle
in his eye drawled: "a diplomat Is
man that steals your hat an coat an
then explains it 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, Il 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'
lot Of you lately, Miss POlly?"
"Only lately?" she asked mischie-
vously.
We'll 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 wagon" 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 Polly's ap-
parent denial.
"Who do you spose?" asked Polly
pertly, taking courage when she found
that Slim Cid not continue his inveSti-
CATION. you amt after any Buddy.
are you:'
mo, but III 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 coquetts. Looking shyly
at Slim, she murmured, Are you sure
you are not after anybody" The EN-
phasis Oh the last word was so plain
that q 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 I'm a-goin' to play 1t, If I've got
the nerve"
Slim smoothed down his tangled hair
and brushed of 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, I might
as we'll spit 1t 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, I'm goin' to
issue writ Of replevin an try fer to
git mine back" laughed Slim. He was
about to slip his arm about her waist
when she turned and faced him. The
action so disconnected him that he
jumped backward as II 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
ICED how much Slim was suffering,
and she was sorry that her answer to
him would be disappointment.
"Please don't say any more, Slim,"
she said as she stepped away. Slim
followed her up and, speaking over
her shoulder, said: 81 can't help 1t.
You've got my feelin's stampeded now,
an they sure has to run. I've had an
,tcbin. In INV heart fer YOU ever since
l first hnowed you. You come from
Kentucky. Well, was kinder borned
up that way myself. in Boone county.
an that sorter makes-well, II 1t did,
what l want to know is
Slim hesitated and nervOusly hauled
Mt his chaps.
evil you be my
Frightened ut his boldness, he clap
ned his hand over his mouth.
"Can be your he began again.
Angry at himself, he said under his
breath, "Tll never get this thing out
Of my system" In his earnestness he
doubled up his fist and shook 1t behind
the girls back. Suddenly she turned
md found his clinched hand directly
under her nose. She started back In
dismay.
"Excuse me-" humbly apologized
Slim. ~ didn't mean fer to do that,
ma a'am-'deedy, didn't. was only
that's-well, reckon I'm 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"