The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-11

hind her and started up the path by
his side.
We'll, we'll! Bought the old place,
eh?" he murmured absently. "S'pose
her old uncle Jabe's dead. then"
Yes, he's dead" She fitted the key
In the lock and pushed open the door.
Come through to the kitchen" she
said. 81 amt had my own supper yet
You can have bite with me-"
She led the way back, CROPPED about
for the lamp. lit 1t and set 1t on
small shelf over the table. The man
looked about him eagerly.
Fifteen year" he murmured. IAN
Jest the same. Well. we'll He turn
ed to the woman, who had thrown off
her scarf and cloak and stood silently
regarding him.
Indy" he gasped.
Yes. Sam Martin, It's Indy! |
knowed you the minute you spoke my
name. Now will you just kindly tell
me why you run off like that, sudden,
without word. when me an you had
spoke our promise. an never turned
up from that day to this?" Her face
was white with the rush of memories
that oyerpowered her.
The man Strengthened up and faced
her.
Yes, III tell you Indy" he said
AN l can't see as the fault was mine
You member the day we quarreled
over that painter fellow, as l thought
was foolin' around you too much an
you went off mad. Well, l come over
that eyenin' to beg your pardon for
doubtin' of you, an Jest as l got to
the end Of the path that leads into
the orchard l seed you-with him,
under that same tree where I'd asst
you, an got your promise An while
I stood there he put his arms round
you an'-kissed you"
IT'S a lie!"
"Taint no lie. seen him! He put
his arm around you an bent over an
an then | Jest couldn't bear to see
1t an l turned an walked out of the
place an amt never been back there
since. not till now"
Eyes, Sam Martin, an II you'd had
any sense In your stupid head you'd
of come right on an knocked him
down stead of marchin' off an leavin'
me to do It! My hands is maybe little
but gave him one knock that night
that"
Indy"
81 was just tellin him." she went on
Indignantly. how he'd have to go,
cause you said / must choose an OF
course I'd choose you, an-an' then he
tried to-Oh, Sam" she half sobbed
from his arms. why didn't you never
come back?"
He was silent for a moment
I've come now. Indy" he offered
at last, uncertainty.
Eyes, you've come now-an' how?'
she flashed. drawing Indignantly away
from him as the memory Of his ear
Her performance swept over her
"Thievin', an scarin' women in the
dark an"
"Lindy, will you listen to me? This
is the truth. Indy, It's the first time
ever made to hold up anyone. But
things has been goin' hard with me
fer long time now, an l was jest
about desperate. People Is 30 blasted
Indifferent when man asks fer hon
est work, an the women is worse than
the men. Tonight l was Jest plumb
mad l says to myself, by Gum! I'll
make someone cough up somethin'. II
| have to stand here till the crack O
DOOM Indy" he broke off sudden.
ly. boyish anxiety In his voice, what
made you SO sassy? Didn't l look
like a real one?"
Indy smothered laugh. "Oh Sam,
she said. you're Jest the same old"
THE club was only to scare EN-. y
he interrupted. abandoning the point
In his eagerness to explain, IAN hon
est. Indy, I wouldn't OF taken more'n
a dollar from you not IL you'd handed
out two hundred of EN-"
Truth rang Enthusiastically In his
words. He paused and waited for her
judgment.
Presently a small. firm hand clasped
his.
"All right, Sam" she said.
"Lindy-dear!" He took her hands
In his and his voice grew strong with
purpose 81 have nothin' to offer you
now. but by Jingoes! I'll work"
Sam" She looked down. hesitat.
ing.
SAM" she began again shyly, this
place is simply goin' to rack an ruin
for want OF a man to look after it,"
"Oh Lindy!" He drew her to him
and stood silent, resting his cheek on
her hair. Presently smile of ire.
pressible humor spread over his face
81 said tonight. yer money or yer
life,' he whispered. but I never
thought you'd give me both. an Of yer
own accord"