The Bottineau courant., 1909-05-07

| ~ AoI, IuOuSH, OUT l dm OuAy
about half-dressed," drawled the voice.
NOV, what is this row about?" And
the door opened part way, and just
within the room stood a young man
clad In faultless shirt and trousers, his
upper lip clean shaven, and the rest
OF his face thickly covered with lath-
er. He peered out near-sightedly at
the group through his gold-rimmed
eyeglasses and repeated languidly:
Now, what is all this row about?"
The girl flashed a look at him.
"Oh, Jack!" she began excitedly,
this Is the sheriff. He is after man,
and he says he is hiding in this car
in papa's car-and he wants to search
papa's rooms and I won't let him.
That's ALL"
That's all right, Helen," drawled
the young man. LET him see the
rooms. He is perfectly right, and, be-
sides, he is the sheriff and you can't
stop him, anyway.
IF you are satisfied, gentlemen, that
your man isn't in here with me. I'll
close the door and finish DRESSING"
"All right, sir" laughed the sheriff,
glancing into the room. Every sorry
to have to disturb you and your wife. {"
The young man glanced at the girl
as he closed the door.
She gasped and turned pink.
He did not open the door again un-
til the search was over and the train
under way. Then he came out. 1--WE
finished DRESSING" he announced
calmly.
The girl looked at him, her cheeks
flushing and her eyes demanding his
excuse.
please forgive me-" he stammered.
! thought It was all up with me.
0over expected to see you again.
ehought It was good-by forever-and
you were SO plucky. And besides" +"
- added, with flash of reckless fun
u his eyes, ut isn't unusual for a
husband to kiss his wife,"
Her face turned scarlet.
"Oh! why couldn't I think of some
ether lie than that" she stammered
1elplessly. II might have said broth
@. or cousin, or anything but that, -
a1d she covered her burning face with
1eF hands.
Ho took . quick step to her side.
You did It because you knew it was
The surest way to fool them. You did
1t because you have the quickest wit
and the pluckiest heart in the whole
world! Your father, the vice-presi-
dent, might not approve of your help
ing cowboy out OF scrape, but
| he"
"The vice-president is not my ia.
ther," she interrupted.
But you told the sheriff you were
the presidents daughter"
II know I did, but that was anoth.
er-lie. l thought if I said so they
would not dare to search the rooms"
HAS he daughter?"
mo, only son."
| "Then you-" he began.
II am his wife's companion. They
are to meet the car at Billings to-
night"
Are these the sons clothes I have
on?"
"No. They belong to the secretary.
The son lives away out here some
where" And she waved vaguely
across the country; "He had some
trouble with his father and left home,
saying he would never come back till
his father asked him to-and they are
both Obstinate
The man started and clinched his
hands nervously. "Yes, I have heard
of such cases." said he quietly.
| In their eager talk they did not no.
| tice that the train had stopped at
station. and did not hear the car door
| open.
well, Miss Lee," called a CHEEKY
voice, II found we had time to come
this far on the east-bound to meet the
car, and-what!"
"Oh, Mr.. Blaker!" gasped Miss Lee.
H."
"Oh, Will! Oh my son, my son!"
cried another voice, and his mother
was clinging to Miss Lees cowboy
with trembling arms
| The young man held his mother to
his breast for long moment. Then
he looked at his father and his face
hardened.
II didn't expect, sir, to meet" he
began. Then he felt Miss Lees hand
| on his arm.
He faced around. Father, I have
come home. I have been a fool"
$50 have I, my boy, and so we'll say
no more about it," and he walked
| down to the end of the car and looked
out of the door for moment. Then
he came back.
Look here, you two," he demand.
ed, with his hand on his sons shoul.
der, where did you meet? What have
| you been up to-"
"I'll tell you, SIR" and he did.
"'Pon my soul!" sputtered the old
gentleman. you've got me into a pref
ty mess between you. Now, what are
| you going to do about it," he de-
manded in puzzled despair.
TITS all my fault" stammered Miss
| lv&Sk L.