Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-23

He removed q steaming kettle from
the stove; then, unearthing some sug-
ar from the chart case. mixed teddy,
muttering: "Just wait. that's all. You
just waltz With the pains Of u chem
list he divided the beverage into two
equal portions. rolled the contents Of
his own glass under his tongue with a
look Of beatitude on his wrinkled fca-
lures, then inquired, "What did ] tell
your"
"It's great" McGill acknowledged
"First real liquor I've tasted for
months" Then he fell to staring at
the fire.
After time lie asked. who's the
lady I was talking tor
''The one with the red sweaterT'
Eyes"
Miss Andrews. Her first name is
Alice
"Alice" McGnl spoke it softly. II
Il s'pose she's married, of course"
''No, Miss Andrews" at.
McGin started. II thought she was
the wife of that nice looking teller,
Barclay ~.
The captain grunted. and then after
moment added, "She's an actor Of
some kind" ~
McGin opened his eyes in genuine as
constituent. He opened his mouth also.
but changed his mind and fell to study
ing the flames once more. she's
plumb beautiful" he said at length.
"All actors Is beautiful" the captain
remarked wisely.
McGtll slept badly that night, which
was unusual for him, but when he
went to feed his dogs on the following
morning he found Miss Andrews ahead
Of him.
"What splendid creaturesr' she said,
petting them.
"Do you like dogsT' he queried.
II love them. You know, these are
the nrst have ever seen of this kind"
"Then you never rode behind a
team"
"No, 1 have only read about such
things"
McGill summoned his courage and
said, "Mebbe you'd like me to give you
q rider
would you? Oh. Mr.. McGill!'' She
clapped her hands, and her eyes widen
ed at the prospect. He noted now the
brisk air had brought the blood to her
cheeks, but broke OF the dangerous
contemplation of her charms and fell
to Harvesting the team, his fingers st1h
with embarrassment. He helped her
into the basket sled and then at her re-
quest tucked in the folds Of her coat.
It was a novel sensation and one he
had never dreamed Of having, for he
would not have dared touch any wom-
an without command.
It was not much Of ride. for the
trails were poor, but the girl seemed to
enjoy it, and to McGill it was wonder
full. He felt that he was making an
awful spectacle of himself, however.
and hoped no one had seen them leave;
he was so big and 50 ungainly to be
playing squire, and, above all, he was
so old.
lie could think Of nothing to say on
the excursion, but when she thanked
him upon their return he was more
than paid for his misery. As they
drove up Barclay was watching them
from the high bank, and Miss Andrews
waved a mitten at him. Later, when
McGin had left for a moment the
young man began sourly:
Making a play for the old party,
chr "
HE isn't DID," said Miss Andrews
carelessly.
whats the idea?'
II don't know that I have any idea.
Whyr'
"Humph! I'm interested-natura
you needn't be. It's every one for
himself up here, and you don't seem
to be getting ahead very fast"
Y see. McGill's due to be million
aire and I'm down and out" Barclay
sneered. "Well, we're neither of US
children. II you can land him. more
power to you"
II wouldn't stand in your way" said
Miss Andrews coldly, land I don't In
tend that you shall stand in NINE"
lis that the only way you look at
it," Barclay wore an ugly frown that
seemed genuine; then when she merely
shrugged, exclaimed hotly, IT you
don't care any more than that won't
interfere" he turned and walked
away.
Those were wonderful days for Nc
Gill. Instead of hurrying back to his
work he loitered. With splendid dis
regard for convention he followed the
girl about hourly and was too drunk
with her smiles to hear the comment
his actions evoked He had moments
Of despair when he saw himself as u
great awkward bear more aptly de-
signed to brighten than to WOO wo-
man. but these periods of depression
some word OF encouragement from Al
ice Andrews. He did not fully realize
that he had asked her to marry him
until it was all over, but she seemed tc
understand SO fully what was In his
heart that she had drawn it from him
before he, really knew what he was
saying. And then the Joy Of her &C
eeptance! It. stunned him. When he
had finally torn himself away from hel
side he went out and stood bareheaded
under the northern lights to let 1t sink
in. There were no words In his vo
cabulary. no thoughts In his mind, ca
pable Of expressing the marvel Of It
The gorgeous colors that leaped from
the horizon to zenith were no more