The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-10-05
FROM LAST WEEK,

YOU Will W tOhc as InuCu d8 Luat,
but-but you-now. run along, then.
with Stephen"
y On the way down the hill he voiced
his perplexity to Caleb.
"When II comes to dealing with
men," he said. Il pride myself upon
being able to go back rather incisively
10 first motives. But the other sex IL
beyond me. She's always turned up
her dainty nose at the noise and dirt
before. and-and now she's ready to
cry becanse I suggest that she wait
with Miss Sarah until we return"
Caleb's eyes rested upon the oddly
matched little couple ahead In the road.
The boy was carrying his battered hat
In his hand. but Barbara walked with
small head up. without a single glance
for her escort. Caleb. noting that
SteYe's head was forward thrust
knew that his eyes must be fastened
hunGrlly upon the town In the valley.
and he understood the reason for the
disdainful tilt of the little girls chin.
for even at the age Of ten Barbara AL
lison was not accustomed TO inatten-
ton Caleb smiled rather covertly for
him.
Il never knew but one woman whose
motives were absolutely transparent"
he unused. "And she-she was the
most undressing. unsuccessful fe-
male person ever did know"
As Allison had promised. they found
Mclean. the white haired mill super
intendent, only too eager at the pros
pect Of an audience for one Of his
voluble tours of the premises. But
when Caleb had explained the main
GRAND upon which they had come. aft
er q long. keen scrutiny Of the boys
face, the burly riverman led the way
without word to a wheeling old two
wheeler in the piling yard.
so you'll be wantin' to take spin
in one av me ingines. is it," he asked
then, and after a moment. AN do you
think youn be able to hang on whin
she gets to r-rollin'T'
Steve's eyes were like bits Of polish
ed steel. so bright they were. 1t was
a struggle for him to take them even
for a moment from the engine before
him.
81 cal'late KIM" he quavered-
"Well. thin. we'll see." Mclean look
ed up and winked at the engineer In
the dlminutive cab. "It's careful
you'll be, Misther Engineer" he eau
toned. IAN watch your steerin' OH
the cur-rves!"
He leaned over to lift the boy to the
running board. but Steve, with one foot
appraised. hung back. He faced to-
ward Caleb and without q glance In
the girls direction said:
"AIebby she-mebby she'd like to go
too?"
Barbara Allison, chin lifted little
higher. half wheeled and slipped her
hand within that Of her father.
Thank you. but I don't care to-"
she refused.
Steve caught the little toss Of her
head from the corner Of his eye. ana
his face went pink. Without another
word he clambered up beside the driv-
er, and the engine rolled out OF the
yard and went clanking down the I'M
even. crooked track, leaving a dis
solving trail of steam behind. When
1t returned the little face at the CAB
window was tense and somewhat pale
beneath its tan. but the hand upon the
throttle beside the engineers lay steady
as little pine knot.
"well. an what do you think Az
herr" Mclean demanded with an as
sumption Of anxiety as the boy drop
ped to the ground.
Steve turned and patted the foot
board with a proprietary hand. As
grave Of mien as his Questioner ne
bobbed his head.
"She-she certainly kin git up and
step," he volunteered. And then. COCK
ing his head judiciously, IN hev to
be agittin' me one Of them fer my
self some day!"
Mclean chuckled-he chuckled In
deep delight within his white wniskers
and led the way to the mills But
once there the Amusement in his eyes
rapidly deepened 70 amazement, Tor
there were few steps in the processes
upon which the boy could not tax as
nuently and technically as did the mill
boss himself. And he knew timber
knew II with the same infalibility
which had even in Mclean always
seemed to border upon the uncanny.
II was Allison himself who first call
ed attention to an unsawed log when
was being discarded.
..That looks like too good a stick to
be wasted. doesn't 1t, McIean!' ne
asked
Before Mclean couli answer the boy