The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-03-19


out yet You were alone. Minnie. or
no" she said suddenly. you we're not
alone. Minnie. who was in the pan
try?"
What has that to do with it," |
managed. with my feet as cold as
stone.
She got up and buttoned her sweat
er.
Don't trouble to lie." she said. 81
can see through stone wall as well
as most people Whoever got those
letters thought they were stealing
mine. and there are only two people
who would try to steal my letters;
one Is Dick Carter. and the other is
his brotherin-law. II wasn't Sam In
the pantry-he came In just after with
his little snip OF wife"
"Well7" | managed.
But she was smiling again, not so
pleasantly.
Il might have known III" she said.
What fool I've been, Minnie, and
how clever you are under thrt red
thatch OF yoursl Dicky cannot appear
his place. and help to keep the secret
and to play the game! Well. can ap-
preciate a joke on myself as well as
most people, but-Minnie, Minnie.
think of that guilty wretch OF a Dicky
Carter shaking in the pantry!"
IL don't know what you are talking
about" said, but she only winked and
went to the door
Don't take II too much to heart, "
she advised. TOO much loyalty Is a
vice, not virtue. And another piece
OF advice, Minnie-when | find Dicky
Carter, stand from under; something G
will fall"
They had charades during the rest
hour that afternoon, the overweights
headed by the bishop. against the un.
derweights headed by Mr.. Moody. They
selected their words from one OF Hor-
ace Fletchers books. and as Mr.. Pierce
wasn't either over or underweight
they asked him to be referee.
Oh, they we're crazy about him by
that time. II was "Mr. Carter" here
and dear Mr.. Carter" there. with the
women knitting him neckties and the
men coming up to be bullied and ask
ing for more. And he kept the uppel
hand. too. once he got II.
But H. Mr.. Pierce was making 4 hit
with the guests. he wasn't so popular
with the Van Alstynes or the Carriers
The night the cigar stand was CLOSED
Mr.. Sam came to me and leaned ovel
the counter
Put the key In a drawer" he said
Il can slip down here after the light
are out and get smoke"
Cant do It. Mr.. Van Alstyne."
said. Got positive orders"
That doesn't include me-" He wal
still perfectly good-humored.
Sorry" said Have to have I
written order from Mr. Pierce"
He put a silver dollar on the desl
between us and looked at me over 1t.
"Will that open the case?" he asked
But shook my head.
We'll. I'll be hanged What th'
devil sort OF order did he give your"
He said" repeated. that I'D b.
coaxed and probably bribed to opel
the cigar case. and that you'd prot
ably be the first one to do IT, but
was to stick firm; you've been smok
| ing too much. and your nerves are &c
! ing"
''Insolent young puppyt" he .,
claimed angrily, and stamped away.
SO that l was not surprised whe
, on that night. Friday, was told I
: be at the shelter-house at ten o'cloc
} for a protest meeting. Mrs. Sam tol
/ me.
! Something has to be DONE" sh
said. IL don't intend TO stand muc
4 more. Nobody has the right to sa
when I shall eat or what II | want I
. eat fried shoe leather, that's my 4
| fair"
r We met at ten o'clock at the shelte
a house, everybody having gone TO be
I Miss Patty. the Van Alstynes an
myself. The Dickys were on GOO
q terms again. for a wonder. and whe
d we went in they we're in front OF th
r FIRE, she on box and he at her fee
with his head buried In her lap. II
9 didn't even look up when we entered
o They're here, Dicky." she said.
"All right" he answered In smot
d cred voice. How many OF 'em?"
-Four" she said. and kissed the u
0 OF his ear.
:. For goodness sake, Dick!" Mr.
= Sam snapped In disgusted ton
stop that spooning and get us som
/ thing to sit on"
d Help yourself" he replied. sti
}, from his wife's lap. "and don't
}. Jealous, sis. II the sight OF Marie
= happiness upsets you. go away. c
> away. anyhow"
n Mr.. Sam came over and jerked hi
into sitting position. Either you
!, sit up and take part in this discu
z sion," he said angrily. "or you'll {
Il out In the snow until It's over"
>, Mr.. Dick leaned over and kissed h
n wife's hand.
L "A cruel fate Is separating u.s."
IT explained. "but try to endure II UNI