The Lemmon herald. (Lemmon, Perkins County, S.D.) 1912-1917, 1912-11-22

from the detestablp stranger. Not II
the little home she was working so
hard to retain should he sold over her
head would she ever sell another par
ticle of her products to the boorish
mapmaker who lived In the Paige
house.
Let him eat bakers trash" was
Testers ultimatum.
A few day. later she was talking tG
Mrs Blake
That Mr. Chandler IL an old man.
isn't he?" asked Hester
"Oh, no: not 40 very oid-leastwaya
he don't appear SO to me. Hester His
hair IL gray as can be. but be IN &C
pleasant and boyish acting seems as II
be was as young rs my Jimmy. He
sets lot Of store by your cooking
You've never met him vet. have your
Not exactly" admitted Hester. "pve
heard his voice. though. and | don't see
how anybody can think that's pleas
ant
Now. isn't that the funniest thingi
Every body thinks his voice is the incest
thing there is about him"
II don't" said Hester, with decision
When the following Friday came
Hester passed the cottage Of Mr.
Chandler with scornful lift OF her
head Not for the testy mapmaker
were the toothsome danties she had
toiled over all day long What II be
did like pief She wouldn't make pies
for any man who spoke to her In sue b
q manner
AS she prepared for bed that night
Hester's anger ahatpd little as she
thought OF the breadleSs. cakeless. pie
less state of Mr. Chandler Somehow
she could not reconcile Mrs Blake's
description OF him or the bovishy en-.
thusiastic note be had written with the
surly voice which had twice accosted
her from his window
Saturday was Hester's lazy day She
before and usually occupied herself
with some light needlework or she read
little On this particular Saturday
she was sitting on the front porch. her
never idle fingers engaged with bit
of fancy work. when the gate opened
and brisk step sounded on the path
| An instant later tall form loomed at
the foot Of the steps
| The str..nger was a handsome man
the hands..hest she had ever seen. Hes
! ter admitted to herself as she took In
| with a swift glance the broad shout
ders, the sun tanned countenance light.
ed by deep blue eyes and the crop of
gray hair which made him appear
young or Old as opinions might differ
He smiled aud lifted gray cap from
bis head
| Miss RandallT' he inquired In the
very incest voice Hester had ever
heard
Yes" replied Hester wonderngIy
My names Chandler I'm wonder
| ing if you ealize. Miss Randall, that
I'm simply starving for lack of your
sustaining goddess
I'm sorry" faItered Hester. blush
ing
"Why did you forget me2 But. there;
needn't ask that. OF course m
your latest customer, and | suppose
you didn't have anything to spare for
me. eh?"
THAT wasn't the reason" returned
Hester. with sudden spirit. Il had
plenty Of time to bake for you. Mr.
Chandler, but don't care to keep q
such manner"
"How-how-l don't believe under
stand" stammered Mr. Chandler In
undoubted bewilderment.
Hester explained. painfully embar
rassed at the amusement mingled with
the concern on his face.
Its that rascal. Peter" groaned
MIR Chandler You see. Miss Randall
Peter is parrot that belonged to al
aged cousin Of mine. for " whom | was
<named. When Cousin Philip died he
left me the dandiest collection Of 10
dian relics. with the strict condition
that | must personally care for Peter
until he sees at to shuttle OF, Now
my cousin Philip was something Of q
hermit. and see by Peters vocabulary
that his master detested visitors Now
permit me to bring you the Ill man
nered Peter In order to verify my state
ments."
Hester assured him that she was al
ready satisfied. and after she had en-
joyed a good laugh at her own ex
penss she filed the basket Of the
hungry Chandler and sent him away
rejoicing. but that was not until az
hour had passed. during which time
they became acquainted.
Hester continued to leave her cook
cry on Chambers porch, and once
when she failed to bring It he went tt
her to fnd out what was the matter
He found that something had gone
wrong with her oven and insisted or
6xing 1t for her. They both knelt dowr
to see into the CRATE. and their hea d.
touched Before either Of them kne v
what had happened Chandler had kiss
ed her Hester arose. apparently very
much disgruntled, but when Chandler
put his arm about her and kissed hsl
again she didn't look as chagrined al
might have been expected