The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-01-17
By Philip VERRILL TIGHELS

Thrcc-milc Station had increased upon him trcmen.
dousy. Miss Deyoc loves you, Billy, and she won't
mind you rcadin the news She'll herself
few, Just payin round. So long I'll be back before
you're through"
He did not wait to argue the matter, but went at
once, leaving Billy feeby protesting while little Miss
Devoe already had small foot through the paper
There escape He therefore placed her gently
the ground and picking up tiny silver OF wood
held it in his hand for the child 10
Tick" he said instructvcy. Baby go find tic;
and bring it to Uncle Billy. Uncle Billy likes lots OF
ticks"
Little Prairie was a willing child She started at
on her mission, searching about in the sand
the cabin, and Billy settled down his reading Pres
emily his small companion returned holding tiny
black object between her baby thumb and finger
"Iick-unce Billy She said Tick
"All right, he answered, without looking, put it
III Uncle Billy's pocket and git him some more"
Miss Dcvoc was delighted. She placed her tick
in handy pocket OF his coat and trudged off at once
for another, with which she returned very promptly.
lick, she informed him as before. Uncle Billy
tick"
lie indicated the pocket again and kept on reading
Back and forth and forth and back the youngster
trotted bringing ticks by the and dozens. all
for tho pocket of her friend. Uncle Billy had appar-
emily solved the problem of supplying child with in
nocent engaging entertainment
In the meantime Big Dan had come to the much
bclated trys at Thrce-milc Station and Mistress Bet
Sey Dodd exceedingly dsplcascd at his delay. She
was good-sizcd brown-eyed, tempery young person
whom Dams explanation acted peculiarly.
DO you mean to tell me, Dan White she said
that you goln to be an orphan asylum for that kid
for maybe week? What about you takin' me drviE
to Crystal Springs on Sunday, which is day after to-
morrow"
We'll, was going to ask if maybe the weather
wouldn't be plcasanter week from Sunday" said the
miner That's what | come up here to ask,
"Oh. you did. did your That's all you up for
it, and waitin' two solid hours fer nuthin7'
demanded Miss Dodd with ready warmth. We'll, [
can Just break the news to you right that | amt
the kind you can git to play second hddlc-do you
understand my conversation ?-and you can't have me
and no Miss Deyoc at the same time. sayvy3 Now
which do you decide 10 give up-once aud fer all
Give up2" echoed Dan. deeply pcrturbed why.
Bctsey, shouldn't think with little Prairie just baby
and you the only gal l ever
That's enough, Don't go further" interrupted
Miss Dodd mperiously NBaby OF not, it amt my
way of doin. If you don't propose TO give her up.
right off prompt, why that settles it all between you
and |. Now which OF us two is goin' to be1'
But l couldn't marry Miss Dcvoc," protested Dan.
"You savvy that"
Marry" said Betsey, crimsoning to her crown and
tnglng to the socs of her shoes you never said
marry 10 me beforc-though | supposed you might glt
off somchin OF the sort in time, you bein and
girl-but [ don't expect to git fattcrcd 10 death
by that-and If you want TO marry me. why prove 1t
b' lettin your little Prairie go and takn INC dryln
next Sunday"
DO you mean I've got to send her away or you'll
never be my wife" said Dan very white about the
lips. rs that what you mcan?'
"If she stays your house over Sunday-you bet
you and me won't git married." Miss Dodd replied
with emphasis. "And that's all for this mornin.
Good-by"
Dan stood looking at her oddly for moment, en-
treaty in his honest eyes, then light OF cold deter
mination.
"I can't throw her like that" he said Il guess
He turned and walked away. Miss Betsey watching.
at first Indignantly then forgivingly and last.
when he failed to turn and look back. with belated
regret in her two brown eyes.
Dan" she cried DAM DAM Come backw
But the wind was against her, He did not hear.
and. topping the ridge shouettcd sharply against
he Sl-v then
her view,
Worried and somewhat sore at heart he made his
way across the hills and came at length to his cabin
the end of which he rounded silently There Billy
still engrossed III his paper, and there was the earnest
little Prairie still trudging and from the brush and
diligently loading Bilys pocket
"Iick-Uncle Billy" Dan heard her say, "nothcr
tick"
White was tremendously interested to behold this
harmless subterfuge for keeping the baby out of mis-
chief He forward quietly, while little Miss
Devoe toddling away her mission. Billy glanced
up for a second
"Heo-back, hey?" he said mechanically and his
mind returned to the reading
Dan was studying Parridge's clothing curiously.
Billy" he said in moment, you must be settin
trouble. Your coats alive with ants
Whats that querrled Billy who had only half
heard his friends remark Aunt who2'
Then the baby came faithfully 10 the step be-
fore
"Tck-Unclc Dan" she said by way of variation.
Tick and she held up her find Dan saw tiny black
ant, vainly struggling for its freedom between her
thumb and finger She had found a practically mex
haustbe hill of the little black and for nearly
two hours had been fetching them. by one to
Uncle Billy
"MaT-heTe's thousand ants aerawlin on your
personV' exclaimed big Dan cxcitedly. Billy, git up
and shake them off before they begin to eat your
cassp
"Antsw cried Partridge suddenly startled to life.
"Ants! great Jumpin Jchosaphatw
He swept half dozen of the frantically running
little insects from his hand at stroke and lcaping
hs feet threw down his paper tore off his coat and
shook and beat it on the steps like a lunac
Good gosh! there's ono inside nv shirtl he said
dropping the coat and wildly hauling at the neck of
his garments There's another further down inside!
There's three my back They're on my legs They're
inside OF me everywhere must have been stn'-'
The baby interrupted She had made another
ccssful pilgrimage 10 her base of supplies and now
stood before Billy, faithful to her task
"Iick-uncle Billy" she said as before. proffcring
one more helpless ant TO the man who had kept her
entertained. "nother-tick"
"Smothcrin' anges| said Billy aghast at this be-
lated discovery, the doggone little terror of kid
has put at least a million in my pocket! Burn the
COPYRIGHT. 1908