The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-11-25

will salute him in that same respect.
full way"
They do it t. please me-" deprecated
Mr.. Peace. 1T was tn furst thing l
heard at tn hotel this mornin'."
The sherif's prophecy was fulfilled
several times as they wandered about
the settlement, while waiting for the
dinner hour. The air was crisp and
tingling, and the exercise put a bright
light in the widows eyes and brought
a tinge of pink to her pale cheeks.
The sheriff could easily believe that
as Kate Connolly she must have been
very prepOssessing.
Where the way was broad all four
walked abreast; when it became mar
row the sheriff and Mr.. Peace walked
arm in arm. 1t pleased the widow not
little to observe their simple gal.
lantry. For as the hours passed the
sherif's solicitude for his cid friends
ease increased. He could not bear, It
seemed, to be away from his side.
When they reached the sherif's house
he courteously stood aside for Mr..
Peace to precede him; and the latter,
now given continually to a clerical
pose, insisted the sheriff should enter
first. They compromised by locking
arms and affectionately squeezing
through together.
During the dinner the widows quick
glance decided her host must be I'M
comfortable from his heavy bel and
begged him to remove it. He turned
his troubled gaze on Mr.. Peace With
out complying. The old man smiled
slightly and fastened to explain how
even he had got into the habit OF car
rying firearms In a final burst Of con,
fidence he added:
why, I've got one on now. Reckon
we'd better discard, sheriff"
And the two, narrowly meeting eyes,
released buckle for buckle, as il play,
ing a game, and slowly deposited
their weapons behind them.
Now for a toast" cried the young
man, in a search Of an expedisnt to
divert his mothers attention.
Let Mis- Turner give one" urged
the sheriff, carelessly swinging about
sideways to the table.
Very we'll" she futtered. ITO all
that we should be thankful for on this
day, and to all those whose sacrifices
have made the day possible"
Eve shall not meet again, Jem, she
said, as they stood waiting for the
stage. I'VE are near the grave"
Huh! Give me a good hoss-Wa-al,
there's a heap of truth in what ye
say, ma'am," he stumbled.
Call me Kate she whispered.
"You haven't today. We were good
friends in the old times. And you've
been a good friend to the last The
sheriff says you've done more for my
boy than can ever appreciate.
Il may "a been accommodatin';
that's ALL" he belittled. averting his
gaze.
But, Jem," she continued, not heed.
ing him, "it pleases me to think you
did it all for my sake. We're both
along in years and l can say it. I like
to think you've wisely counseled my
son for the sake of Kate Connolly"
I'D "a done much fer her" he NUT
tered. There! there! Here comes tn
stage. Good-by. Slong, my boy. Keep
/ straight"
IF he'd only follow my example,
she sobbed, turning to mount the step.
He'll go high if he does" declared
the sheriff, gently.
! "Jem, come here" she said, leaning
from the window. Then Selling his
limp hand she whispered: "And you
never wrote me in answer to my last
letter. l never forgot you. I felt bad
to believe you'd forgotten"
Gee Iang!" called out the driver in
response to a nod from the sheriff.
And as the stage swung down the
rough road, Mr.. Peace removed his old
hat and stood staring after it, while a
drop of moisture on his hand burned
like a bit Of fire. AS the vehicle
/ F------ - z : =