The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-03-28

playing with the younger
Gales. who reveled in the gifts he had
brou~,,t Never had there been such
gorgeous ;.eSents for little folks
The elder girl laughed gladly as Po-
leon entered. though her eyes were wet
with the pity of it.
you seem to bring sunshine wher-
ever you CO." she said. ''They have
never had things to play with like
other children, and it makes me cry to
watch them"
'Ho. no." he chuckled. dis aim no
time for cryin', ba gosh! l guess you
don have so much present Wen you
was liz gal you'se'f. wat? Mebbe
you t'ink forget you. WAL. didn't"
He began to undo the fastenings Of
parcel he carried in his arms
Don't you dare open it, cried Ne
cia. "Why. that's half the fun" She
was a child herself now. her face
flushed and her hands a-tremble TAX
ing the package to the table. she bur-
riedly united the knots while he stood
watching her. his teeth showing white
against his dark face and his eyes half
shut as if dazzled by the sight Of her.
"Oh. why didn't you tie more knots
n it?" she breathed as she undid the
last, and then, opening the wrappings
slowly, she gasped in establishment.
She shook it cut gently. reverently, q
clinging black lace gown of Paris
make. Next she opened a box anu
took from it a picture hat with long
jet plumes, which she stroked and
pressed fond1y against her face. There
were other garments also-a silken
petticoat. silk stockings and a pair of
high heeled shoes to match, with GER
tain other delicate and dainty things
which she modestly forbore TO inspect
before the Frenchman, who said no
word, but only gaZed at her, and for
whom she had no eyes as yet. Finally
ing to him, said in a hushed. awe
stricken voice:
"It's all there. everything complete!
Oh, Poleon-you dear. dear Poleonv'
She took his two big hands by the
thumbs, as had been her custom ever
since she was child, and looked up
at him, her eyes wet with emotion.
But she could not keep away from the
dress for long and returned to feast
her eyes upon it.
you lax it, eh?" pressed Poleon, hun
cry for more demOnStrative expression.
"Oh-h" she sighed. where on earth
did you get it? Why, it must have
cost fortunev'
'Wan night gamble in beeg saloon
Yes. sir! l gamble good dat night too.
For vile play roulette. den l dance
den play some more, an by an by
see new dance gal She's Franche
gal. from Montreal. OATS de one l
toll you bout. Ba gar, she's swell
dress too. She's name Marie Bour-
gette."
'Oh. I've heard about her." said Ne
cia. ''She owns a claim on Bonanza
creek"
"Sure, she's frien's wit Charlie Nc
Cormack, dat richie Teller. but I don
know it dis tam, SO l ask her for
dance wit me. Den we drink q bottle
Of champagne-twenty dollar.
'Mamselle,' l say, how much you
charge for sell me dat dress?'
"'For wy shall sell Inn? she say.
I dom wear i'm before till tonight. an
dom get no more dress lax dis for
t'ousan' dollar"
Nocfo ovolo ir,od ovo{ko11-
"'For wy you sell i'm? say. Bic
cause I'll TAX i'm down to Flambeau
for Necia Gale. wat never had no
dress lax dat in all her life WAL
sir, dat Marie Bourgette she's hear of
you before. an your dad, too-mos' all
dose Cheechakos know bout Old Man
Gale-so she say:
wat lookin' kind Of gal is dis Ne
CLAP An tell her all bout you. Wen
I'm trough she say:
"'But maybe your little frien' is
more bigger as am. Maybe de dress
won't fit
'Ha, you dom know me, mamsellev
say. I can guess de weight of a car
ibou to five poun'. She'll be same size
la'kin' one inch roun' de wais'.'
'Poleon Doret.' she say. you ain
no Franchemans to talk lax dat Look
here! l can sell dis dress for t'ousan'
dollar tonight. or / can trade i'm for
gor mine on Ell Dorado creek to some
dose Swede wat want to catch a gal.
but I'm goin' sell i'm to you for tree
hondred dollar. jus wat pay for i'm.
You wait here till come back
"'No. no. Mamselle Marie. I'll go
long, too. for so you dom change your
min, l say. An l STAN outside her
door till she pass me de whole works.
Don't forget de little shoes l say.
an OATS how it come"
"And you paid $500 for itr' Necia
said. aghast. The Canadian shrugged.
"Only for de good heart Of Marie
Bourgette l pay wan t'ousan'." said
he. II max seven hondred dollar clean
profit"
ut was very nice of both OF you. bat
Il cant wear it. I've never seen q