The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-03-27

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turn"
Young Chaplin started. you don't
mean that. really?"
Mrs. Keap nodded her dark head
"It was all very well for me to chap
eron Helen on the way out from the
east. butt isn't exactly regular TO,
me to play that part here with Other
young people to look after"
but you understand, of course
Jean must have explained to you
Mother was called away suddenly, an6
she can't get back now. You surely
won't leave-you can't" Chaplin add
ed, hopefully: why, you would break
up Jeans party. You see, there's no.
body around here to take your place.
"But-"
"Nonsense! This is an unconven
tional country What's wrong with
you as a chaperon, anyway? Nobody
out here even knows what chaperon
is. And I'll be back as soon as l can"
"Do you really think that would
help" Roberta's eyes laughed humor.
ously.
I'm not thinking of the others, I'm
thinking of myself" declared the
young man, boldly. II don't want you
to go before 1 return. You must not!
If you go, II shall follow you" He
grasped her hand impulsively.
ooh" exclaimed the chaperon.
"This makes it even more impossible.
Go! Co." She pushed him away, her
color surging. "Go to your old Eleven
K Ranch right away"
"But 7 mean it," he declared, earn
estly. Then, as she retreated farther:
Its no use, shan't go now until"
"You have known me less than a
week."
That is long enough. Roberta"
Mrs. Keap spoke with honest en-
barrassment. Listen! Don't you see
what situation this is? If Jean and
Helen should ever discover
Jean planned it all; even this"
Mrs. Keap stared at him in Mortified
silence
"You do love me, Roberta?" Chaplin
undertook to remove the girls hands
from her face. when slight cough in
the hall behind caused him to turn
suddenly in time to see Berkeley Fres.
no passing the open door.
There! You see." Mrs. Heaps face
was tragic. You sect" She turned
and fed, leaving the master of the
ranch in the middle of the floor be.
wildered, but bit inclined to be
happy. A moment later the plump
face of Berkeley Fresno appeared eau.
tiously around the door-jamb. He
coughed again gravely.
II happened to be passing" said he
you'll pardon me?'
"This is the most thickly settled
spot in New Mexico!" Chaplin declared
with an artificial laugh, choking his
indignation.
Fresno slowly brought his round
body out from concealment.
Il came in to get match
why don't you carry matches?"
Fresno pulled complacently upon his
pipe. 'This," he unused, as his host
departed, eliminates the chaperon
and that helps some"
..
Still Bill Slower lost no time IL
breaking the news to the boys.
There's something comm off" he
advised Willie. "We've got another
foot-runner!"
If he had hoped for an outburst OF
rapture on the part Of the little gun
man he was disappointed, for Willie
shifted his holster, smiled evilly
through his glasses. and inquired, with
ominous restraint:
Where is hep
Being the one man on the Flying
Heart who had occasion to wear
gun. Willie seldom smiled from
sense of humor. Here it may be sale
that, deceived at first by his scholarly
appearance, his fellow-laborers hai
jibed at Willie's affectation of a swing
Ing holster, but the custom had Ian
guished abrur'lv. When it became