The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-11-29

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once more from the same open win.
dow sounded the harsh voice she had
heard before.
"Tor heavens sake. clear out OF
here: What are you hanging around
for? You've got all my money and
Hester Randall did not wait to hear
any more. With burning cheeks she
hurried through the gate and away,
from the d%etestable stranger. Not 1t
the little home she was working 40
hard to retain should be sold over her
head would she ever sell another par
ticle of her products to the boorisnj
mapmaker who lived in the Paige
house.
LET him eat bakers trash" was
Testers ultimatum. $50.
A few days later she was talking to!
Mrs. Blake.
THAT Mr.. Chandler is an old man.
isn't he?" asked Hester.
"Oh. no: not so very old-leastways
he don't appear so to me. Hester. His
hair is gray as can be. but he is so
pleasant and boyish acting seems as 1t
he was as young as my Jimmy. He
sets a lot Of store by your cooking.
You've never met him yet. have you?"
mot exactly" admitted Hester. 'lve
heard his voice. though. and l don't see
how anybody can think that's pleas
ant"
Now. isn't that the funniest thing?
Everybody 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 q scornful lift of her
head. Not for the testy mapmaker
were the toothsome dainties she had
toiled over all day long. What If he
did like pie? She wouldn't make pies
for any man who spoke to her in such
q manner. 81. X
AS she prepared for bed that night
Testers anger abated a 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 boyishly en-
thusiastic note he had written with the
surly voice which had twice accosted
her from his window.
Saturday was Testers lazy day. She
rested from her hard work Of the day
before and usually occupied herself
with some light needlewOrk or she read
a little. On this particular Saturday
she was sitting on the front porch. her
never idle fingers engaged with a bit
of fancy work. when the gate opened
and a brisk step sounded on the path.
An instant later a tall form doomed at
the foot of the steps.
The stranger was q handsome man
the handsomest she had ever seen. Hes
ter admitted to herself as she took in
with a swift glance the broad Shout
ders, the sun tanned c~ountenance light
ed by deep blue eyes and the crop Of
gray hair which made him appear
young or old, Is opinions might differ.
He smiled and lifted a gray cap from
his head. T.
miss RandalI" he inquired in the
very incest voice Hester had ever
heard.
YES" replied Hester wonderingly.
my names Chandler" I'm wonder
ing If you realize. Miss Randall, that
I'm simply starving for lack of your
sustaining goodiesY"
''I'm sorry" faltered Hester. blush
ing.
"Why did you forget me? But. there;
I needn't ask that. OF course I'm
your latest customer, and ! suppose
you didn't have anything to spare for
me, ehY
'That wasn't the reason, returned
Hester, with sudden spirit Il had
plenty Of time to bake for you. Mt.
Chandler, but l don't care to keep .
customer who-who talks to me In
such a manner"
"How-how-l don't believe I UNDER
stand" stammered MIR. Chandler In
undoubted bewilderment.
Hester explained. painfully embar-
raised at the amusement mingled with
the concern OF his face.
TITS that rascal. Peter" groaned
Nj. Chandler. 'You see. Miss Randall.
Peter is a parrot that belonged to an
aged cousin of mine, for whom | was
named. When Cousin Philip died he
left me the dandiest collection of In
dian relics. with the strict condition
that I must personally care for Peter
until he sees At to shuttle OF. Now.
my cousin Philip was something Of .
hermit. and ! see by Peters vocabulary
that his master detested visitors. Now.
permit me to bring you the III man
nered Peter In order to verify my state
'ments." sl
Hester assured him that she was Al
ready satisfied. and after che had en-
Joyed a good laugh at her own ex-
pense she filled the basket Of the
hungry Chandler and sent him away
rejoicing. but that was not until an
hour had passed. during which time
they became acquainted.
Hester continued to leave her cook
cry on Chandlers porch; and onca
when she failed to bring Il he went 70
her to nnd out what was the matter.
He found that something had gone
wrong with her oven and insisted ON
fixing Il for her. They both knelt down