The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-01-07
GINA TYLER HUDSON.
ugh women were few, and sin.

~ Woheu AcWeI, III the construction
camps along the keys. it must be adj.
h mitted that the coming of Nanon
O'Higgins caused scarcely a hutter in
the busy camp life.
When old Jim O'Higgins carelessly
remarked that he would not eat at 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
Ingraham and Frenchy Despard to
stroll casually over toward the OHig-
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 Regain as
they went back to the bunk boat down
at the edge of the scraggly coral beach.
Her eyes gave me the creeps too.
Looks as If she had regular crouch
at the world"
Mos probably put in i'renchy. she
have-not with re worr, but with re
old OHiggins. who have name her
such a femme. Youth and beauty, GER
easement. it means. and when you see
her, pouf. 1t vaneesh.''
One day lngraham was stretched on
the white sands when O'Hi@gins came
upon 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
hesitatingy. This is my little girls
birthday. aud thought
Ingraham hesitated
"Oh. why not" he thought. This
once won't hurt me The old chaps
fond of the girl. | suppose. too and he
hates TO see her neglected" So he an
swered as he rose. yawning: "AlI right.
O'Higgins. we'll be on deck"
All three of the men knew what II
was TO dine well. In the city lngra-
ham was known as such an epicure
that it was n standing joke with his
friends that he would starve down on
the keys on the construction camp com
missary. Like all true Frenchmen.
Despard too. knew the value of things
culinary. But each was compelled to
admit that never, even in the best clubs
and restaurants, had they sat down to
a daiQtier feast than that provided in
the little Florida shack. And that. too,
ron the necessarily limited fare
"Mais QUIZ exclaimed the delighted
Frenchman as together they strolled to-
ward the beach. Such soup. Such
an entree. Such sauce bernaise, 1t
would appear that we have moderated
the Mile Nanon. Never have / had
such n salad of cocoanuts. 1t was
beautiful-enough to make Oscar turn
n envious green
N'At last he has been smitten with
the charms of Nanou." soemnly muir
INJURED AMER The little god has got
busy and hit him in the stomach. But
surely he don't expect to he without
rival /, too, monsieur, have these
many years been in search of good
cook"
lngraham looked at his companions
scornfuiy.
Little beasts he muttered.
Il weesh to inform you said
Frenchy Despard one night. after
longer visit than usual. when he and
Nanon had gone for walk along the
coral beach, Eat have re honaire TO
be ,betrothed TO Nile. Nanon o'Hig-
gin5'' He bowed low.
We'll. you turned the trick on us,
all right. Frenchy." said the some
what discounted AMER May | hope
to have an occasional invitation TO eat
at your house? | can't say but what,
on the whole. I'm just as well salts
fed. Well at least have the COOK III
the family. so to speak"
lngraham looked up with frown.
For the first time the girls side OF TINS
occurred to him. She was to be sac
rificed. But. with shrug as II 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. lie
was intrusted by the superintendent
with a message for O'Higgins to pre-
hare for n visit from one of the board
of directors whose yacht had been
sighted. He went. therefore, at once
across the beach to the shack III the
palm trees. With the freedom or the
accepted lover be turned the corner OF
the house toward the little Kitchen.
"She will be preparing for me the
grand dinner" he said TO himself unc-
tuously and leaned across the sill OF
ahe window through which he could
hear the rattle of pots and pans. Inc
sight that met his eyes made MS Jaw
drop and stilled the greeting on MS
lips. More quietly than he had come
the man withdrew and SUNK across
the beach to the bunk boat
Only an idling darby boy was III
sight when Despard reached the wait
Ing motorboat. into which he hurried
ly climbed. carrying Il suit case anu
three notes he had written.
Here, you" he called as he started
81. all notes as soon