The Tupelo journal., 1911-08-18

ny. the lob h yours. win you split
SVEN. considering that the work 10
all dons7"
mo split" reared the other Justify.
And BY what hook OF crook did you
get nex to this and come here 70
beat me QUIT"
MRS. Collins hired me-"
you lie! Mr.. Collins hired mo-
The strong Jaw Of the youth showed
itself out. Il don't allow people TO
tell me- ! Me."
There was I cold chill to the words
that brought . sense Of tho earnest
ness Of the other to the last arrival.
We'll, Ill = l don't know any
thing about that" he compromised.
but l do know that ! collect for this
and I don't divvy q blamed cent.
Mr.. Fresh. II the missus put you on
the job. then it's up to the missus to
pay you"
Unseen by either, a slim young fet
low In a neat business suit had
stopped to hear the argument.
whats the matter here?" he asked
authoritatively. He turned to the
scrubby mustache. Has ONE one
disputed your job, Nankins"
The one addressed whirled, as on a
pivot. "Ah! Mr.. Collins!" he tri-
umphed. Yes, there's a young
swell in that tree who claims to have
been put on the work by your wife"
Forester was now completed hid
den in a cluster of leaves.
Come down." ordered Collins, push
ing a straw hat back from his fore
head. Come down here. you man
up there. and we'll talk 1t over"
I'll not" came grufly from the
boughs. "IIl stick up here until he
lady comes. I'm on the job now, and
I intend to stay on"
From Forrester's point Of conceal
ment, he could not see, but the frou-
frou of approaching skirts reached
his ears distinctly.
What's the trouble, TONI" ques-
toned a laughing voice. You have
the ~expectant look of a successful
hunter who has freed valuable game"
Forester recognized the voice as
that of Mrs. Collins.
I've freed something" growled her
husband. Here I've hired a man
to prune these trees-a professional
forester, and some one else has beat
him to the job. Said some n else
also refuses to come down and arbi-
trate."
How absurd" modulated another
voice-one richer. deeper and. withal.
younger than that OF Mrs. Collins. A
little trill of laughter came up to the
youth In the trees.
I'm come down now" he called.
still assuming the gruf tone.
And he did.
"You!" came In surprise from q
very petite young person.
Even l." assured the disheveled
young man, meeting the scrubby
mustached ones baleful glare with
a bland smile. Before we begin the
peace treaty l wish to assure this
probably very efficient workman that
! have no intention Of collecting for
his job"
The professional cast q keen eye
over the shipped limb and the trees
above them.
"Hum!" he said g~rudgingly. mot
q bad job ct that. young n
"But-" began Mrs. Collins.
you can't deny It," assured For
roster. "You are responsible"
"But-but I expected the forester,
and Tom called me up and told me
to wait Tor"
, Lee Forester" interrupted the
male ollins. "Lee Forester, my
dear. not the forester. Mr.. Forester
: is your sisters most sedate and most
engaged young man-her lance. He
. and Florence came In from Fairtown
on tho morning train. You evidently
ran acros Flo as she was coming
from that subtle trousseau excursion
but before that you"
Put q young millionaire to work
mutilating trees!" gasped Mrs. Col
: Inns. "Well, I never!"
|, Miss Florence Moreland. who had
been separated from Forester for the
better part of three hours. gazed ad
mfringly at the youth.