Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-01

to the birthday"
"Not regular" he answered.
Polly glanced at him over her shoul-
der. The look was too much for Slim.
He turned away to hide his embarrass-
meni. Partly recovering from his
bashfulness. he coughed preparatory
to speaking. But Polly had vanished.
AS one looks sheepishly for the ma
gician's disappearing coin. so Slim
gazed at floor and ceiling as If the girl
might pop up anywhere. Spying an
empty chair behind him, he sank into
1t gingerly and awkwardly.
Meantime Polly returned with a
broom and began sweeping out the
evidences Of Sims visit. She spoke
again.
Get them holdups yet that killed
Old Man Terrill?" she asked.
Not yet. But we had a new shootin'
over'n our town yesterday"
Slime was doing his best to make
conversation. Polly did not help him
out very freely.
"That so:' was her reply.
Spotted Taylor shot two China.
men,"
Polly's curiosity was aroused.
"What for?" she asked. stopping her
sweeping for n moment.
"Just to give the new graveyard a
start" Slim chuckled.
Polly Joined In his merriment.
Spotted Taylor was always public
spirited Citizen" was her comment.
"He sure was," assented Slim.
"Get up there. I want to sweep un-
der that chair" Polly brushed Sims
feet with the broom vigorously. With
an elaborate Excuse mew Slim arose,
but reseated himself In another chair
directly in the pathway Of POlly's
broom.
"Get out Of there, too" she cried.
"Shucks! There amt any room for
me nowhere" he muttered disgusted-
~.
"You shouldn't take up 50 much Of
It."
Slim attempted to take seat on the
small gilt chair which was Jacks
wedding present to Echo. Polly caught
sight Of him in time. Look out" she
shouted. "That chair wasn't built for
a full grown man like you."
Slim nervously replaced the chair
before writing desk. Polly welded
her broom about the feet Of the sher-
III, who danced clumsily about trying
to avoid her.
you're just tryin'. to sweep me out
OF here" he complained.
"Well, IL you will bring dust in with
you. you must expect to be swept out"
Polly replied. with show Of spirit.
Polly was shaking the mat vigorous
ly at the door when Slim said:
81 see they buried Poker Bill this
mornin'."
as he dcad?" It was the first Polly
had heard Of the passing away Of one
Of the characters Of the territory. She
had expressed her surprise In the form
of an Interrogation, emphasizing the
"he," a colloquialism Of the south
west.
Slim. however. had chosen to ignore
the manner Of speech and, with
grin, answered: "Ye-es. That's why
they buried him."
Polly laughed in spite Of herself.
What Gid he die of" she asked.
AS Slim was about to take drink
mt the ella he failed to hear her.
"Eh:" he gruntcd.
What did lie die of" she repeated.
give aces" was the sober reply Of
the sheriff before he drained the gourd.
Polly put the broom back Of the door
and was rearranging the articles on
tie table before Slim could muster up
enough courage TO speak on the topic
which was always uppermost In his
miad when In her presence.
Say. Miss Polly he began.
"If you've anything to say to me,
slim Hoover. just say 1t. can't be
bothered today-all the fixin's an
things" sauci,y advised the girl.
We'll, what ! want to say is"- be-
GIN the sheriff.
At this moment Bud Lane, laborlng
under heavy excitement, burst open
the door.
"Say. Slim, you're wanted down at
the. corral" he cried. paying no heed
to Polly.
"Shucksr exclaimed the disappoint-
ed sheriff. "What's the row?"
Il don't know. Buck Mckee, he's
there with some Of the Lazy K outfit.
They want to see you"
Slim threw himself out Of the door.