The Press., 1911-09-06

M somernlng Derrer.-
The girl stihed an exclamation and
took them toa case full Of silverware
Az they gravely examined knives and
forks the girl watched them uneasilg
At last, flushing deeply, she spoke
''A1ost any girl would think that lant
was q nice present." 81 - Il
They shook their heads negatively,
''Tt's got to be something pretty MET
and tasty" said Tony Con; you se.
her names Emmerett, and a girl thai
has that handle to her is used to good
livIng" ~ NFEaea SsFR Il
I'VE couldn't get anything poor look
ing" added Pepper, and Jink PrOle
nodded assent ~ /
ats a nice lamp" persisted the girl
eve might git four or ave lamps
enough for the huh house. Let's look
at them again. Jink Prole turned
suddenly to lead the way back to the
lamps; Ills sharp elbow dug into Tony
Gofrs ribs, and that stout gentleman
leaped backward to fan heavily
against one Of the china laden tables.
When the Gathering crash had died
into silence Mr.. GoR picked himself
out Of q debris Of broken dinner sets
to confront an irate little man Whh
danced wildly before them and de
manded instant reimbursement for his
losses. .rs ...xx .....,.,fYfs,Ey 4s,
It required the united efforts Of Tony
Gofrs companions to convince the an
CRY proprietor that the orense was
not intentional.
''You can't fool meY' he sputtered
loudly. II had a place shot mp 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 It, cOnfound yep growled Jink
Probe. "Jest you compose your little
bunch of cinnamon sidewhiskers and
git down and count up your loss. !
reckon we can pay fer what we break.
We're a-shoppin' fer cut glass and cut
china, and we've paid fer $22 worth al
ready" -ftA "V'A &t-'ss2 s4'-''''a.'
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.. Faxnum 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 SEQ would barely
cover the wholesale price. s1a5 =
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 .......... .fs-.......-9
'I guess wen 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 I'm this here
place. There's a mighty pretty little
pink lamp up In Red Spider fer three
what will have to do fer
Emmerett." .......s a,. .sesa 80 "a
The girl flashed a glance at the re-
treating form Of her employer and
then laid a hand on link PROBES sleeve.
She was laughing, but the tears were
in her eyes.
Don't you dare buy that pink lamp"
she whispered. "You set out to get
the incest present you knew how foR
that girl, and It isn't your fault that
you've lost your money. You take all
the dishes, and I'll 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 in
your hearts, and that's what matters
She paused breathlessly,
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. --------=---a.-.-e
Because I'm Emmerettg' she said
F ~ IS a@ - q -@ ESQ
The three stared down at her in de-
lighted amazement. Then three hands
shot out to grasp hers, and link Prole
spoke again. 1--WE might a-known Ray
mond's girl would be Ike this" he
said. IS.
1--WE was afraid Of your long name."
grinned pepper sheepishly.
1--WE kin shorten 1t and call her Miss
put in Tony Con innocent
". -,
Miss Hodge uplifted a slim brown
finger, and her cheeks dimpled under
their friendly admiration.
Don't you dare call me anything but
she said severely.