The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-11-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
And ~Conntnrnlnta

Nh"H 80 AN@@
on the night of their Jersey adventure,
the latter made straight for Jones
street, accompanied by Beau.Jean, and
upon reaching the refuge OF the rear
tenement tumbled into bed without
more ado. and for seven hours slept
the sleep OF the just. his head upon
an improyised pillow OF quilting-be-
meath which his hand grasped the pre-
cious document that Iris, as he thought.
had sent him.
Very possibly his repose would have
continued for a much longer period.
had 1t not been for the activity OF Gun.
eyiere and Hermania in the room i'm.
mediately below. These ladies, their
household duties, as usual. entirely
neglected. were loudly applauding Old
Nita's efforts to instruct Koko In a
new accomplishment; namely, to use
as cymbals the lids OF two fish kettles
strapped to his front paws.
Now the clash OF cymbals, no mat.
ter how amateurish and uncertain the
performers efforts. is not conducive
to slumber, to say the least of 1t; and.
therefore, with a groan OF protest.
Sam returned to consciousness OF all
that had befallen him. and all that
was yet to be undertaken. While he
washed and shaved he pondered deeply
upon how he should set about getting
the Information that Iris desired. As
he drew on his boots he still won.
dered, and uncertainty did not cease
with the knotting Of the silk bandanna
about his throat. But at about this
point hunger began to distract his at
tention, and so. deciding that he
would be able to think more collect.
eddy upon q full stomach, he descend.
ed to the fiat below and demanded to
be fed.
Koko dropped to his a%ll-fours at this
intrusion. glad to be rid OF the encum
bering kettle-lids. which Old Nita I'M
tied. grumbllng at the interruption OF
the lesson, but nevertheless delighted
to e Hill. The other two women
hustled about and prepared food for
him, and soo he was munching rumi-
natiyely, Obvious OF, and impervlous
to, the questions that they showered
upon him. At last Hlll's attention was
arrested by them. however, and he in.
quired If Anna were Ill.
NO" replied Nita. "She is going
to have a baby in the spring, that is
and she is getting so that she will
not let Rico out of her sight; nor will
she go out with him to dance the bear.
How they will live | do not know, what
with bringing no money in, and such
idlenessl They are a pair Of fools,
those two. | am a very wicked WON.
an, | am. but | really do think they
should get married now"
Are they not married?" said Hill.
surprised. why not, do you sup
poser"
Nita merely shrugged and turned
away upon some matter of her own.
Hill. cup in hand, arose and ap-
;Soached the lovers.
Bon jour-" said he abruptly. why
the devil aren't you married?"
Rico looked up pleasantly, his smile
ever ready and friendly for the be-
loved Samhill. Then, as the latter's
words sank into the unknown depths
Of his slow mind. u cloud crossed his
handsome face.
Married? Why, | do not really
know, mon ami" he responded slowly.
'Anna-why are we not married?"
For a moment she looked as Devil.
dered rs Rico, and then a smile of
understanding broke upon her lips.
"Whyl" she said. I'VE love each
other! We have been very, very busy
each other, and dancing the
bear. | do not believe we aver thought
about getting married"
So serious and obviously sincere was
this reply that Hill scarcely knew
whether to laugh or frown. But to
from making the patent sugges-
ton was impossible.
"Why not do 1t. now that 1t occurs
10 your" said he.
Rico looked at him earnestly.
DO you advise II. Samhill?" he
asked. I'VE could not love each other
he more because Of n few words said
over us!"
VERY true" replied the painter
yravely, "but there is the child to con.
slider. You would ike 1t to bear your
lame, would you notY"
ut shall be called Rico II It Is a
said Annals lover, but a girl
would be Anna, so what is to be gained
that case?"
"But your last naNe," insisted Hill. |
Last name? But | have none!" OBJ.
|ected Rico.
To gain time Hill finished his coffee
1T would take q long while to ex.
Just why It is a good plan to
married." said he at last. But II
you are willing to take my word for II,
allow me to say that 1t is goodl In
act, am contemplating doing 1t my
'elf before very long"
Well" said Rico. III you say II is
rood, 1t must be so. We will find a
priest II you agree. Anna"
i've no objections" replied Anna;
md SO It was arranged.