The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-03

each laid I'll on the shelf. The girl
took It reluctantly. II told Mr.. Far
mum be bad the shelves too crowded
to be SAFE" she said you've paid for
these things. Would they do you any
good II was to mend 'em for you?
You could use EN- for ornaments."
"Nary. misst they amt any good TO
rs. We're looking for-what are we
looking FOR, ProieT' demanded Coz I'M
patiently.
"a wedding present" drawied MIR.
Probe. gingerly Withdrawing from the
perilous vicinity OF breakables. I'VE
thought OF pink glass lamp. but 10
don't cost enough. Have you got a
real expensive 1uminator. miss?"
The girl smiled and led the way 10 a
shelf laden with a flower bed of col.
ored lamps. She glanced at the price
tags and then said: This one for s12
Is the most expensive one. It's very
pretty"
The three surveyed the lamp doubt
fully. 1t was a small lamp of brass,
with an eiaborate shade set with pink
opalescent glass.
ut don't cost enough said PROBE
with regret. TITS mighty pretty. miss.
but we couldn't hand out no measly
present like that to Emmerett Show
us something better"
The giri stifed an exclamation and
took them to a case full OF silyerware.
As they gmvely examined knives and
forks the girl watched them uneasily.
At last, flushing deeply. she spoke.
Most any gtri would think that lamp
was a nice present"
They shook their beads negatively.
TITS got to be something pretty nice
and tasty" said Tony Cot: you see.
her names Emmerett, and a girl that
has that handle to her In used to good
living"
"We couldn't get anything poor look
Ing" added Pepper. and Jink Probe
nodded assent.
"It's q nice lamp" persisted the girl.
ave might git four or five iampe-
enough for the hull house. Let's look
at them again" Jink Probe turned
suddenly to lead the way back to the
lamps; his sharp elbow dug into Tony
Gor's ribs. and that stout gentleman
leaped backward to fall heavily
against one Of the china laden tables.
When the Gathering crash had died
into silence Mr.. Coz picked himself
out OF debris OF broken dinner sets
to confront an irate little man who
danced wildly before them and de-
manded instant reimbursement for his
losses.
1t required the united efforts OF Tony
COTS companions to convince the an
CRY proprietor that the offense was
not Intentional.
you can't fool mer' be sputtered
loudly. 81 had a place shot up oncet
In Dead Eye and they didn't leave so
much as a glass salt cellar-wiped out
my hull stock OF china and glassware
and
Drop 1t, confound vel" growled Jink
Prole. Jest you compose your little
bunch Of cinnamon sidewhiskers and
git down and count up your loss. l
reckon we can pay fer what we break.
We're a-shoppin' fer cut glass and cut
china. and we've paid fer 500 worth al
ready"
The three ranchmen stood rigidly
In their tracks while Mr.. Farnum and
the black haired girl took inventory
OF the shattered crockery. Many Of
the pieces of various dinner sets were
whole and there were several vases
that were cracked or only slightly bro
ken. These Mr.. Farnum announced
would be total loss to him and the
ranchmen might as well carry them
away.
Six dinner sets and four vases and
a glass water pitcher had gone down
to destruction. and Mr.. Farnum dole
fully announced that 800 would barely
cover the wholesale price.
In silence the 500 was handed over,
while the girl stood near with down
cast face.
"All these pieces that amt broke be-
long to you gentlemen" remarked Mr..
Farnum magnanimously. "Of course
they amt no use to me because none
of 'em match anything else I've In
stock. There's cups and saucers and
plates and
81 guess we'll be going along" In
terrupted Probe slowly as he thrust his
share of the remaining So back In his
pocket. We've spent about all the
money we reckoned on In this here
place. There's a mighty pretty little
pink lamp up In Red Spider fer three
what will have to do fer
Emmerett-"
The girl flashed q glance at the re-
treating form OF her employer and
then laid hand on Jink PROBES sleeve.
She was laughing. but the tears were
In her eyes.
"Dont you dare buy that pink lamp"
she whispered You set out to get
the incest present you knew how for
that girl. and 1t isn't your fault that
you've lost your money. You take all
the dishes. and III mend the glass
water set and you give 'em to her for
the wedding present, and reckon
she'll be proud to think what was III
your hearts. and that's what matters
anyway She paused breathlessiy, |
her eyes like stars, her cheeks pink
with excitement
How d'you know she would rather
have this trucky' link Probe swept a
long arm over the broken china and
eyed her doubtfully.