The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-02-05


81 don't know what you are talking
ly. ''If you don't know that this spring
has it's origin in"
In Schmidt's drug store down In
he finished for me- "Oh,
know all about that spring. Minnlel
Don't forget that my fathers cows
used to drink that water and liked II.
| leave 1t to YOU" he said, smiling. III
a self.respecting COW wouldn't die OF
thirst before she drank that stuff as
1t is now"
I'D been filling him a glass--it being |
a matter OF habit with me-and he
took It to the window and held It to
the light.
You're getting careless, Minnie" he
said. Squinting at II. Some of those
drugs ought TO be dissolved first In
hot water. There's lump OF lithla
there that has Schmidts pharmacy la
bel on It."
"Where?" I demanded, and started
for II. He laughed at that, and put
ting the glass down, he came over and
stood smiling at me.
"As ingenious as child" he said
in his mocking way. "a nice, little red
haired cbildl Minnie. how old is this
young Carter?"
"Twenty-three."
"An-er-earnest youth! willing to
buckle down to work and make the
old place go7 Ready to pat the old
ladies' on the shoulder and squeeze the
young ones hands?"
He's young" | said, but II you're
counting on his being fool"
"Not at ALL" he broke in hastily.
"If he hasn't too much character he'll
probably succeed. | hope he isn't a
fool Where is he now2"
Hes been sick" said. "Mumps!"
"Mumps! Oh, my auntl" he ex.
claimed, and fell to laughing. He was
still laughing when he got to the door.
"Mumpsl" he repeated, with his
hand on the knob. Minnie, the old
place will be under the hammer In
three weeks, and II you know what's
good for you, you'll sign in under the
new management while there's a va
cancy."
III ! were you," | said, looking him
straight In the eye, II wouldn't pick
out any new carpets yet. Mr. Thoburn.
promised the old doctor I'd help Mr..
Dick, and will"
so you're actually going to fight
It out" he said, grinning. We'll. the
odds are In your favor. You are two
to my one."
Il think it's pretty even" retorted.
I'VE will be hindered, so to speak. by
having certain principles OF honor and
honesty. You have no handicap"
He tried to think OF retort, and
not finding one he slammed out OF
the epring-house In a rage.
Mr.. Van Alstyne and his wife came
in that same day. just before dinner,
and we played three-handed bridge for
half an hour. As I've said, they'd been
on their honeymoon. and they were
both sulky at having to stay at the
Springs.
After the first rubber Mrs. Van Al.
styne threw her cards on the floor and
said another day like this would finish
her.
She turned her back to her hus
band. but he pretended to tuck the
hair at the back OF her neck up under
her comb, and she let him do It AS
| stopped to gather up the cards he
kissed the tip OF her ear.
Listen" he said, there's a scream
OF play down at Finleyville tonight
called Sweet Peas" Senator Biggs
and the bishop went down last night
and they say It's the worst in twenty
years. Put on black veil and lets
slip away and see it,"
think she agreed to do II, but tha
night after dinner, Amanda King. who
has charge OF the news stand, told me
the sheritf had closed the opera-hous'
and that the leading woman was sicl
at the hotel.
They say she looked funny las
night" Amanda finished. and | guess
she's got the mumps"
Mumps!
My joint gave a throb at that min
ute.
Mr.. Sam wasn't taking any chances
TOT the next uay ne went 10 the cit,
himself to bring Mr.. Dick up.
He hadn't come back by the morn
ing OF the sixth day. but he wired hi
wife the day before that Mr.. Dick wa
on the way. But we met every trail
with a sleigh, and he didn't come.
was uneasy, knowing Mr. Dick. an,
Mrs. Sam was worried. too.
II had been showing hard for a da,
or SO, and at eleven o'clock that da,
saw Miss Cobb and Mrs. Biggs CON
Ing down the path to the spring house
, "Mr. Van Alstyne 10 back" said Mis-
Cobb, but he came alone"
"Alonel" repeated. staring at he
: in a sort of daze.
alone" she said solemnly, "and
, heard him ask for Mr.. Carter.
seems he started for here yesterday.
, But I'd had time to get myself Il
hand, and II had a chill up my spin
she never knew It. AS she starte
, away | saw Mr.. Sam hurrying dow
, the path toward the spring-house. an