The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-12-24


mitted that the coming OF Nanon
O'Higgins caused scarcely "A tlulter in
the busy camp life.
When old Jim O'Higgns carelessly
remarked that he would not eat ut the
camp table. as he had his daughter
with him and would take his share
from the commissary to his shack. it
was the cue of AMER Regain and Peter
lngraham and Frenchy Despard to
stroll casually over toward the O'Hig-
gins shack at the close of the first
days work. 1t was not because Of a
lack OF welcome that they went no
more-at least for some time.
Not much for looks. sure" was the
pronunciamento of AMER Regan as
they went back to the bunk boat down
at the edge Of the scraggly coral beach.
Her eyes gave Inc the creeps too.
Looks as If she had a regular crouch
al the world"
Mos probably" put in Frenchy. 'she
have-not with re worl'. but with re
old O'Higgins. who have name her
Nanon. ParbIieu. Such IL name for
such femme. Youth and beauty, GER
basement. it means. and when you see
her. pouf. 1t vaneesh."
One day lngraham was stretched on
the white sands when O'IIiggins came
1pOn him.
I'VE want you and some of the boys
to come up TO the shack for dinner to-
night Mr.. lngraham." said the old man
hesitatingly. This is my little girls
birthday. and | thought
lngraham hesitated.
"Oh. why not:" he thought. This
once won't hurt me. The old chaps
fond Of the girl. | suppose. too. and he
hates 70 see her neglected" So he an
swered rs he rose. yawning: "All right,
O'Higgins. We'll be on deck"
All three of the men knew what it
was to dine well. In the city Ingra-
ham was known us such an epicure
that it was Il standing joke with his
friends that he would starve down on
the keys on the construction camp COM
missary. Like I'LL true Frenchmen.
Despard. too. knew the value Of things
admit that never, even in the best clubs
and restaurants. had they sat down to
a daintier feast than that provided in
the little Florida shack. And that. too,
OH the necessarily limited fare.
"Mais oui." exclaimed the delighted
FrenchmaE as together they strolled to-
ward the beach. 'Such soup. Such
would appear that we have moderated
the Mile. Naaon. Never have 1 had
such Il salad of cocoanuts. 1t was
eautiful-enough to make Oscar turn
the envious green"
AT last he has been smitten with
the charms of Nanon." solemnly MUIR
INJURED AMER The little god has got
busy and hit him in the stomach. But
surely he don't expect To be without
rival. /. too. monsieur. have these
many years been in search Of good
cook"
Ingraham looked at his companions
scornfully.
Little beasts" he muttered.
81 weesh to inform you," said
Frenchy Despard one night. after a
longer visit than usual. when he and
Nanon had gone for Il walk along the
coral beach. "2at ! have re honaire to
be betrotbed to Mile. Nanon OHig-
gins" He bowed low.
well. you turned the trick on US.
all right. Frenchy." said the some
what discounted AMER. May l hope
to have al occasional invitation to eat
at your house? ! can't say but what.
OIL the whole, I'm just as we'll salts
fed. Well mt least have the cook in
the family. so to speak"
Ingrabam looked up with frown.
For the first rime the girls side OF this
occurred TO him. She was to be sac
rliced, But. with Shrug as il he
would efface the thing. although the
girls dark eyes haunted him. he turn
ed TO his book.
Two days later Despard came in
from the construction camp early. He
was Entrusted by the superintendent
with a message for O'Hliggins to pre-
pare for visit from one of the board
of directors whose yacht had been
sighted He went. therefore. at once
across The beach TO the shack in the
palm trees. With the freedom of the
accepted lover he turned the corner of
the house toward the little kitchen.
she will be preparing for me the
grand dinner" he said Ia himself unc-
tuously aud leaned across the sill of |
the window through which he could |
hear the rattle OF pots and pans. The |
sight that met his eyes made his jaw |
drop and stilled the greeting on his |
lips. More quietly than he had come |
the man withdrew aud skunk across |
The beach To the bnEk boat.
Only an idllDg darky boy was in |
sight when Despard reached the wait
Ing motorboat. into which he hurried
~ climbed. carrying a suit case and
three notes he had written.
"Here. you" he called as he started
The motor, deliver these notes as soon
rs this boat is out of sightw Out in
The channel he turned in the opposite
from Knights key and head.
ed for Miami. The negro boy waited
nnfiI a liffIa nromouforv HID tho heat