The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-08-13

there light the stairs and behind the light
hgurc OF 4 woman. robcd in some white neht-rai and
white and frightened face above it, crowned with
golden hair
Damn my bootsI" said I. open-uouthed at thi,
apparton
Joan! Al, Joan, my dcarl coocd tho old nan.
"Shie" cried !, and gapcd again, or ii you will
believe me- twas other than the gIr had met in
the tavern that had looked 50 sweety me, and was
WIN ! tne young schoo.master
Father, what is this7 Arc you ill?' she asked and
then her eyes travelling the intervening space
to me- She cried out in fear
Mistress JOAN, said l. recalling my wits YOU need
rear naught from me. Twas point OF argument your
father and had together. pray you, go back your
suin6ers IN security. my pretty.
All. is she not pretty whispered the old hcnd near
ing me.
Get you gone" said curtly to him Get You away
lest forget your age. and strike you"
What IS it, sir?' says the girl Joan. coming down
step into the room. why speak you so roughly to ny
father"
At that notion came to me- seeing her there her
beauty the enhanced by her nocturnal habit aud
said l with sharp cunning to old hunks
Get you away fool. / would have some talk with
her"
Yes yes" said he eagerly, as il seeing his wishes
carried forth and the gold reclaimed aud he made of
But | was wise enough 10 him locked safely in
further Then came back to Miss
oh what is all this SIR" she demanded fcarfully
MY angel, It's clear case OF rum-paddng" said
brisky with long congee to her But | swear you
shall sit in Paradise. and be 10 worse for 1t a whit
only old stingy sobersides yondcr
IL do not understand, Sir" SAYS She looking puzzled
'Have YOU robbed my father7"
You may call it that. | answered. "All that he hath
is mine. But It's you l want" l said you with your
pretty eyes and little smiles, and cajoling humors"
Sir" she drew back alright Il do not know-I--
'Tis but lest oh. you cannot mean it"
@Why, It's all agreed 'twixt old hunks and nc"
SAID encouraging her to lose her fears.
She leaned back against the wall Ii in faint
But am promised. SIT. to-oh she wruug her hands
al cannot understand this, fear you. And thought
you had generous taCc! .si
Now this touched me on the raw. and twas plain
also that had mistook her and that she other
than her smiles and eauccs would prove her Lord It's
as hard TO know women as It's to win battle. But
have sharper eyes than most men. and ! spied
what was wrong She was indeed the innocent her
miserable father had proclaimed her And, faith she
loved young Shecpface and was true 10 him But that's
the silly way of women. SO said l, in whimsical
voice
"WeIl, maybe. I know waen bargain should be
dropped. and Ill keep that face speak Of Mistress
Joan"
What bargain?" she asked opening her eyes
why, twas exchange OF beauty for gold, and
we'll worth IT. you can keep that for smiles in your
mirror"
claimed, her face moving with wonder and then dis
may; and then, as was silent, she flushed red. and
buried her face in her hands oh. he hath outraged
me-" she cried "Oh. It's the last, the very last and
1t was like the cry of child that is hurt and hath
refuge from hurt
"tie is dung fork not worth tears" said I. con-
solingly But she wept Look you here. mistress,
said there is this Schoomaster OF yours, and damnc
will set you up with your fathers gold FIe has lost
his all me- and will exact it from him 10 the utter
most farthing
My fathers gold" she said. and stared There was
change on her face, and she drew back The gold
YOU have stolen from HIM" she exclaimed
Rot me- tbs better with you than with him, SAID,
with some mpatiencc at such scrupleS
She shook her head. Perhaps YOU mean me we'll
she said dolcfuy, Il know not But may rot ;ake
that which is wickedly taken"
The girl put OF temper and pretty
clearly that she was not such doNy as would have
served me But she handsome enougo and ap-
peaing too, like. helpless kitten And ] come TO
end Of my endurance
"Oh. WELL" said |, taking sudden resolution to be
quit OF all at a blow, have it your own way But am
master of the situation and will do what will with my
own
went to the door OF the where the miser was.
and unlocked il
Come forth l said "Wc may now come to terms
He came out, with frightened face looking at ono
and the other OF us.
you will take her 2" he hoarsely whispered
aye. said !, 81 will give yc back your money for
her. and here It's
slapped the purse and the bag upon the table, which
ne Greedily seized
"And now the girls mine" said
yes, yes" he assented counting up his guncas, to
sec if they were right but Miss looked on with
mighty scared face,
why then" said l. eff she be mine, she is to
do what will with
Eyes. yes said he. still counting
you shall set that down paper. | said. and forth
with made him furnish the implements OF the craft
"Sirp-began the girl. trembling. but hushed her
with nv hand
Mistress by this token. duly signed yerc mine.'
said, lifting the document And so / can dispose of
as viii So go you to your jackanapes of
schoomaster, and weep on his BOSOM" said
She gapcd; and the old mans jaw dropped
Tis 4 trick, he began a shrIll and whcezy voice.
III you shut your mouth will close it by other
means. cried You have your money which IS more
to YOU than flesh and blood And the innocent beauty
IS mine to bcstow She shall to her lover. If say so
He was silent and dIen resumed furtively on his
guineas But the girl towards white OF face,
81 misunderstood YOU sir-you arer-Slic stopped
Here's your libern-hcIe's your variant said.
giving her the paper her father had signed And what
happiness YOU may get by exchanging skiHain Tor
popinj1y take a Gods name"
And with that 10 the door leaving her dazcd,
aud the old man hanging over his treasure
mounted the mare and rode off. tickled with myself
my neat behavior for have never gotten opt OF
difficulty with grace than OF that occasion; and
have been in many in my time.