Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-09-27

ueneCt1ng the corners OF MS
oh, such a way! mo, stree, / tell you
there's not another living man would
dare chance it," 1e threw himself
backward. putting his cheeks at me
and walling his eyes rrightfully. IN
fact, Observation-Disclosures Francis is
known, there have been two men
only just two-who ever had the te-
merity to do It,"
"Oh!" commented. Wondered If
n of these was the other chap she
was engaged to.
He proceeded impressively: "One
of these, my dear Sir, was u rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man, now nearly eighty-three and par
TALLY paralyZed and deaf; lives q
sweet, patient life all alone, you know,
with no n In the world to care for
him. Well, sir" he stifened dramat-
ically, leveling n finger at me, do
listen to him?"
Did 1? Well, dash it, did l?
But I tried to humble something
polite.
And then" he pulled as he re-
lighted his cigar, there's Jacks chaut-
feur, you know"
Eth, Jack's-what's that?" l gripped
the arms OF my chair.
YES" he nodded, Jacks chauf-
feur. Oh. l was SO disappointed at
the result of his effort!" The old
gentleman slipped back in his chair
with a sigh. "Francis just swore at
him. you know"
by Jove!" managed to get out
and yet, somehow. l was devilish
pleased about 1t.
You see?" And he spread out his
hands. absolutely no sense OF ap-
probation, you observe; and it had
seemed such a splendid chance! You
see they had been SO intimate-oh.
are still, for hat matter"
caught my breath. "In-intimate!"
l stammered. you don't mean Fran
ces and this chauffeur"
"Oh, yes" carelessly, "Scoggins is
all right; very superior young mar
for his position-fond OF Francis, you
know, and ] really think has great in
fluence." He pulled complacently an
instant. Fact is, they are always to-
gether when Francis is home"-pur
motoring, boating, or else off some
where camping together"
"Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?" | looked at him aghast. Oh.
come now, judge-really you don't
mean that. do you-not camping to-
gether?"
spoke excitedly, but he just stared
~ !, x,,ifh ON avnroec{,>n ~ hIor " ~,
prise.
"Eh? Why. certainly, my dear boy
for weeks alta time-and why not?"
His shift manifested some Impotence.
'Pshaw, Lightnut," he growled. flick
ing his ash, what's the odds-why be
so particular? don't mind" He
damned his hands into his trousers
pockets till it seemed he would go
through them. 81 tell you, I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
"Oh!" l uttered, seeing a light.
So that was it! Well, in any case,
l knew now that l was a republican,
by Jove! Never did know before
what l was and it was a devilish re-
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind. then and there, l would vote
next election-never had, o know;
few of our set aver did. Pugsley. for
one. held it to be doubtful form.
Bright. self-made young man." I
caught as l came back. By Jove, he
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! such fine morals, you
know"
"Oh, dash It, yes!" And l think
this must have been when l broke the
corner out Of a filling.
That was why l was so sorry he
failed with Francis" he continued re-
gretfully: but you may succeed bet
ter-oh, l don't know but what 1t will
do just as WE'LL"
''Thanks-er-awfully!" MUIR
INJURED weakly.
"Oh. l think so-oh, yes!" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-
signed to it-then went on thought
fully:
And anyhow, II Francis finds you
are In deadly earnest. why it" His
voice dropped on musingly: We'll.
believe that would make 1t easier
oh, lots easier for Scoggins."
I blinked q little with my free eye.
(To BE CONTINUED.)