Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-08-22

he thinking? There was eveH evil
dence that this girl was Jim Lewis
sweetheart Was it not well known
that that gentleman was economizing
on tobacco in an endeavor to raise the
price of a marriage license? And so
this was the girl!
There would have to be explana-
tons, of course, and possibly Jim
Lewis might take offense because Tim
had opened the letter. Nevertheless
it was up to the postmaster at Salt
peter Canyon. Timothy shrugged his
shoulder and tucked the picture away
in his breast pocket. He would await
a favorable opportunity before pre-
senting it to its rightful owner.
At the supper table they were scott
ing at Jim Lewis use of cheap tobac-
co. Harry Barry was passing around
his handsome new Stetson with all the
solemnity of a deacon passing the con
tribution plate.
For Jims marriage license" ex-
planned Mr. Barry as he poked the hat
under Timothy's nose. Were all
/ doped with that brand of herbs he's
smoking. Get back to the Broncho
brand, Jimmy. Well raise the money
for the wedding
Timothy frowned a little as he
thought of the face pressed against
his heart. but tact required that con
tribution be made, so with what grace
he could muster he dropped a handful
! of cigarettes in the hat and went on
with his supper.
Jim Lewis was growing over his
newspaper 'I'll eat old Simeon alive
| If he's keeping back any more of my
letters
Heard anything more about that
| Tim and Jim letter." asked Crane from
behind his coffee cup.
Mary. Maybe it's because ! haven't
been near the old scalawag for ten
/ days. I've thrashed it out with him
! for the last time. feel pretty billing
mad tonight, and I've got mind to
! go over and thrash him good and
| plenty" said Mr. Lewis savagely.
eve might go over. and wipe out the
| hull place, take your letter and git,
suggested Harry Barry eagerly. Its
mighty dull nowadays. | feel like ]
| could lick a regiment"
/ "I'll attend to my own licking" OBJ
| served Jim dryly. "When ! go to
| hunt down weakened old scalawag
\ like Simeon Carter / guess / amt feel
| ing so poorly that | have to take along
| six picked men, a battery of machine
guns and an airyplane scout to help
me out Nixey That is to be duet
/ just Simeon and me, and me coming
| home with the letter which he says
! is not for me-"
In this mood Mr.. Lewis was not to
| be trifed with, and one by one the
men dropped away to indulge in q
quiet game of poker near the glowing
| stove
| Timothy Lewis resolved to postpone
| his interview with his comrade until
morning had brought the gloomy one
to a more amfable frame of mind. In
| cidentally Timothy could have anoth-
! er look at the picture, which he hest
| tated to surrender.
Toward morning he was awakened
by touch on his shoulder, and he
/ started up to find jim Lewis sitting
on the edge of the bed in flood OF
moonlight.
well" said Timothy sharply
whats wanted?"
| Lewis crossed one leg over the other
| and pulled rehectiyely at his mus
| tache Il just been over to SaltpeteI
| Canyon and licked that postmaster. On
| the side I've rifled the United States
mail, and I'm liable for most anything
and when it was all over but the
shouting old Simeon barks out he'd
| give the letter to Mr.. Tim Lewis, which
is you, l believe Mr.. Lewis voice
| was dangerously silky.
THAT'S my name," snapped Timothy
| now wide awake ..That letter was
given to me by mistake. 1t surely was
| addressed so it looked like .Tim, and
opened it. OF course as soon as | saw
/ what was in it l knew it wasn't for
me- | was going to give it to you in
| the morning"
ssHonest?" demanded Jim Lewis.
] Eyes, . returned Timothy quietly, and
such was his reputation among his
comrades that his word was never
doubted. Jim Lewis held out his hand
and Timothy reached under his pillow
/ and drew out the letter. Here it is
he said.
You're taking plenty good care of
| it." commented Jim Lewis as he peer
| ed cariously in the end of the letter
and then drew forth the photograph
| He held it to the moonlight and stared
and stared again at the face. Then he
scanned the superscription on the en-
velope. well, I'm hanged if it isn't
little Nell! OF course / thought it
must be from Lulu" The disappoint-
ment in his tone emboldened Timothy
to ask a question.
''Who is Nell?i' he asked bluntly.
"Afy sister," said jim Lewis proudly.
"She teaches school III Sioux City, and
| In