The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-27
THE LEON REPORTER, THURSDAY, MARCH q, 1918

a word of advice?' n-
certainly, colonel replied Tom.
well Tom, speakin plainly. it's this.
You better fight mighty shy of E.ottie-
May hereafter, sub. don't mean any
thing against the girl. But she thinks
lot of you. and she don't mind lettin'
you know it. and that makes mighty
dangerous situation"
/ Then, seeing that the young man was
i'll at ease and maybe inwardly resent
full, Colonel Todhunter left him, to his
obvious relief.
But the colonel himself sho1k his
head doubtfully. There amt no big
ger fool on earth. sub" he cOmmuned
with himself. than healthy young
chap in his twenties. with head fuller
of women than il squash is Of seeds
and just about as soft as that there
squash, too, sub. | don't like to think
of Tom Strickland. with Mary on one
side Of him, and him lovin' the very
ground she walks on, and Lottie-May
Doggett on the other side of him and
her loyin' him the way she does love
him."
Even as he thus unused an approach
ing figure brought a humorous grin to
Colonel Todhunter's lips. 1t was the
martial figure of Captain Sim EirdsonS
Of the Nineveh light infantry. but
without the aggressive support OF his
regimentals and with detection in ev-
ery line Sims face was the tragic
mask itself
Great name above, capn.' vorlfer-
ated the colonel, mock apprehension in
his tone. what in thunderation is the
matter sub? You look like you'd lost
your last friend on EARTH
Colonel Todhunter,' said Sim sol
EMMY, you're the very man l wanted
and I'm a-goin to ask you to tell me
the best way out of it, if you'll be so
kind. suh-you havin' more experience
in the world than me-"
Sim" replied Colonel Todhunter, Il
don't know whether can or not, but
I'll do my level best sub. Specify your
trouble"
"Colonel." responded Sim YEARLY,
its Miss Angelica EXalNs ma; that's
what it Is. can't shake her off, sub.
| That old wonan's worse'n the seven
year itch. can't get rid of her for Il
minute, Colonel Todhunter."
what do you want me to do, Sim?'
Il want you to see if you can't toll
Miss Angelica's ma away from her for
a little while. colonel: that's what
| want. The old lady hates ME worse'n
| poison, SO | dasn't come right out and
plain rs the nose on my face, that I've
got to leave this picnic without sayin'
| a blessed word to Miss Angelica 'less'n
somebody helps me out O. the fix I'm
in. Couldn't you figure out some way
of dom it. sub? Miss Angeica's ma
thinks heap O. you"
Colonel Todhunter smiled grimly.
Sim. there amt but one way. and
that's by draggin' Mrs. Todhunter into
it i amt got no business dom that,
but III try if can make the rifle. ri
see if cant fool Mrs. Todhunter into
sendin' word to old Mrs. Exall that she
! needs her to help with the dinner But
you got to hide out when that word is
delivered. sub. From what you say
Miss Angelica'll have to go right along
with her ma if there's any sign o you
bein' in the neighborhood. Sim"
Colonel Todhunter. that's a mighty
fine idea. and l believe it'll work like
charm. sub. If get any kind Of talk
with Miss Angelica, colonel, I'll be
grateful to you all the rest of my born
days"
Colonel Todhunter chuckled. but
made no reply. The next moment he
was headed for the spot where his
wife ruled the dinner arrangements.
well. we'll. Colonel Todhunter" that
lady cried. I'm certainly surprised to
see you, honey. But reckon you must
have heard that all the works done
and dinners about ready, and you're
too hungry to wait any longer
Colonel Todhunter laughed into Mrs.
Todhunter's bantering eyes. Mary"
he said, Il want you to do good turn
for poor Sim Birdsong"
why. what in the worlds the mat
ter with Sim? That boy hasn't gone
and hurt himself. has he?"
Mary" said Colonel Todhunter.
Sims havin the very old scratch Of
time. He's tryin' to get just minutes
chance to court Miss Angelica Exall.
and her ma won't let him have it. We
got to help him. Don't you need old
Mrs. ExaIl over here for minute?'
Mrs. TOdhunter contemplated her
husband sternly.
well. do declare. Colonel T0dhunt-
er"' she calculated. IF I was such a
dyed in the wool matchmaker as you
I'd be afraid to go out among young
folks at all. You ought to be asha med
of yourself"
But Colonel Todhunter held his
ground manfully. He knew Mrs. Tod
hunter. Her bosom yearned even now
to succor Sim Birdsong in his senti- |
mental plight.
.sYou on and foil Mrs EyaIi t0 hurry |