The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-04-20

most OF us at th1rty-nye. \ on see, u
confessing. too.' she added. with
laugh and little blush.
Captain Cy made mental calcula-
ton.
Twenty years" he said musingly.
Twenty Years il a long time. NO;
I'm old. And worse than that. I'm
an old fool. guess If ! hadn't been
I'd have stayed in South America in
stead of comm here to be hooted 1T
of the town was born in"
The teacher stamped her foot.
"Oh, what shall do with you" she
exclaimed. 1T is wicked for you to
say such things. Do you suppose that
Mr.. Atkins would find it necessary to
work as he is doing to beat foo
And, besides, you're not. eomplimen
tary to me- Should l, do you think.
take such an interest I'm one who was
an imbeciley'
"Well, it's mighty good Of you. Your
comm here SO to help Bos'n's fight
along is'-s
How do you know it is Bos'n alto
gether? r. She stopped suddenly.
and the color rushed to her face. She
rose from the rocker ''I-really
don't see how we came to be dis
cussing such nonsense" she said
"our ages and that sort of thing.
Captain Cyrus. l wish you would go
to Washington. / think you ought to
GO"
But the captains thoughts were far
from Washington at that moment His
own face was alight. and his eyes
shOne.
phoebe" he faltered unbelievingly.
what was you goin' to say? Do you
mean that-that"-
The side door of the house opened.
The next instant Mr.. Tidditt. drip
ping umbrella in his hand. entered the
sitting room.
Hello, Whit he hailed. Just run
in for a minute to say howdy." Then
he noticed the schoolmistress. and his
expression changed. "Oh! How be
you, Miss Dawes?' he said. II didn't
see you fust off. Don't run away on
my account"
II was just going" said Phoebe. but
toning her jacket. Captain Cy accom-
panied her to the door.
"Goodby." she said. There was
something else ! meant to say. but
think Il is best to wait. l hope to
have some good news for you soon,
something that will send you to Wash
ington with a light heart. Perhaps l
shall hear tomorrow. If-so / will call
after school and tell you"
Eyes, do" urged the captain eager
~. You'll find me here waitin'. Good
news or not. do come. IL amt said
all wanted to myself"
He returned to the sitting room.
The town clerk was standing by the
stove. He looked troubled.
whats the row.. Ase" asked Cy
cheerily. He was overlooking with
good nature.
"Oh. nothin' special replied Mr..
Tidditt You look joyful enough for
two of us. Had good company. amt
your ~.
"Why. yes: bout as good as there is.
What makes you look SO glum?'
Asaph hesitated. y. -:
phoebe was here yesterday. too,
want she?" he asked.
"Yup. What of 2"
"And the day afore that?"
mo. not for three days afore that
But what of it, ! ask your
''Well. now. Cy, you mustn't get mad.
I'm a friend of yours. and friends
ought to be able to say most anything
to each other. lift was you 1
wouldn't let Phoebe come so often
not here. you know, at your house.
Course l know she comes with Bos'n
and all. but
"Out with itr'. The captains tone
was ominous. what are you drivin'
att"
The caller f1dgeted.
"Well. Whit" he stammered. there's
considerable talkin' goin' on. that's ALL"
"Talkin'? What kind of talkin'?"
well. you know the kind. This
town does a good deal of it. specially
after church and prayer meetin'.
Seems If they thought twas sort OF
proper place. l don't myself. l kind
Of like to keep my charity and brother
ly love spread out through the week.
but
Ease. are the folks in this town say
in word against Phoebe Dawes be-
cause she comes here to see-Bos'n?'
"Don't-don't get mad. Whit. Don't
look at me like that l amt said moth
in. Why. spell ago at the boardin'
house r.
= He. told of the meal at the perfect
J boarding house. where Miss Dawes
hampioned his friends cause: also of
/ the conversation which followed and
his own part in it. Captain Cy paced
| the foOr. .~r
az wouldn't have her come so often.
Cyl" pleaded 'saAsaph. .honest
| wouldn't, Course you and me know
they're mean, miser'ble liars, but it's
her I'm thinkin' of. She's. a young
woman and SINGLE. and you're good
many years Older'n she is. And 80, OF
| course. you and she amt ever goin' to
get married. And hare you thought
what effect It might have on her Keep
1 I'm her teachers Mace? The commit