Graham guardian., 1911-04-14
Cy Whittaker's
Place
BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Copyrisht. 1908, by D. Appleton
g Co.

"BOS'n," he said. this Is Mr.--er-
Smith, who's goin' to make us lit
tie visit. want you to shake hands
with him"
The girl dutifully approached Mr.
Smith and extended her hand he
took II and held II in his own.
rs this the he began.
Captain Cy bowed assent.
EYES," he said. his eyes fixed on the
visitors face. "Yes. Don't forget what
gou said last night"
Smith shook his head.
"No." he replied II amt the kind
that forgets unless It pays pretty well.
There's some things I've remembered
for quite a few years"
He looked the child over from head
to foot, and his brows drew together In
an ugly frown.
& $50 this is her. hey?' he muttered
lsusingly. "Humph! Well. l don't
kpow as I'd have guessed 1t. Favors
the other side of the house more-the
respectable side. should say Still.
there's little brand of the lost sheep,
hey--enough to prove property, huh!
Mark of the beast. s'pose the psalm
T'arin relations would call 1t. DIN
els -
"Steadyr' broke in the captain. Mr..
Smith started. seemed to remember
where he was. and his manner
changed.
"Come and see me, honey" he
drawing the girl toward him
by the hand be was holding. "Ain't
you got nice kiss for me this fine
mornin'f Don't be scared. l won't
bite"
Bos'n looked shrinkingly at Mr..
Smiths unshaven cheeks and then at
Captain Cy The latter's face was
absolutely devoid of expression. He
merely nodded.
So Emily kissed one Of the bristling
cheeks. The kiss was returned full
upon the mouth. She wiped her lips
and darted away to her chair by the
table.
whats your hurryr inquired the
visitor Don't do 1t right? Been
some time since kissed girl-a little
one. anyhow" he added. winking at
his host. Never mind; we'll know
each other better by and by"
He looked on In wondering disgust
as Bos'n said her grace"
"What in blazesr' he burst out when
the little blessing was finished. "NNho
put her up to that? A leftover from
the psalm singers. is it?"
II don't know" answered the cap
tain. speaking with deliberatiqn. IL
do know that ] like to have her do 1t
and that she shall do It rs longs she's
at this table"
"oh! she shall. hey? Well. ! reck-
on
'>-~sShe~ ~shall-as long as she's at this
table Is that real plain and under.
standable, or shall write II downT'
There was an Icy clearness In the
captains tone which seemed 10 freeze
further conversation on the part of Mr.
Smith. He merely grunted and ate his
breakfast In silence. He ate great
deal and ate II rapidly.
DOS IL OcYuit AOi SSuOOt WhVh thS
meal was over Captain Cy helped her
on with her coat and hood. Then. as
he always did of late. he kissed her
goodby.
"Hi!' called Mr.. Smith from the sit
ting room. "Ain't In on that? II
there's any kisses goin' want to take
hand before the deals over."
Must IT. whispered Bos'n pleading
ly. "Must l. Uncle Cy? don't want
to. don't like him."
''Come onr' called Mr.. Smith. I'm
gettin' over my bashfulness fast Hur-
ry up"
"Must I kiss him. Uncle CyrusT
whispered Bos'n. "Must II"
"No" snapped the captain sharply.
"Trot right along now, dearie. Be q
good girl. Goodby."
He entered the sitting room. His
guest had found the Sunday box and
was lighting one Of his hosts cigars.
"Well." he inquired easily, "what's
next on the bill? Anything goin' on In
this forsaken hole"
There's barber shop down the
road You might go there first,
should say-not that you need 1t. but
Just as q noi city like"