The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-08-30

or later they were bound to meet, and
then Paloma would learn the disgrace
full truth-yes, and the whole neigh
borhood would likewise know his
shame. In fancy, Blaze saw his rep
utation torn to shreds and himself ex-
posed to the gibes Of the people who
venerated him. He would become a
scandal among men, an offense to re-
spectacle women; children would shun
him. Blaze could not bear to think
Of the consequences, for he was very
fond Of the women and children of
Jonesville. He rose from his ham,
mock and tiptoed down the porch into
the kitchen, from which point of Sc
curity he called loudly for his daugh-
ter.
Alarmed at his tone, Paloma came
running. "What is the matter? she
asked, quickly.
sect her out |" Blaze cried, savagely.
"Get shed Of her."
"Her2 WhoT"
"That varmint."
"Father, what ails your
"Nothln' ails me, but I don't want
that caterpillar crawlin' around my
premises. / don't like her"
Paloma regarded her parent curl
ously. SLOW do you know you don't
like her when you've never seen herr"
"Oh, I've seer her, all I want to;
and 1 heard her talkin' to you just now.
l won't stand for nobody tellin' you
bad stories"
Paloma snickered. "The ideal She
doesn't"
"Get her out, and keep her out"
Blaze rumbled. "She amt right she
ain't-human. Why, what d'you reck-
on I saw her do, the other day? Makes
me SILVER now. You remember that
big bull-snake that lives under the
barn, the one I've been layin' for?
Well, you won't believe me, but him
and her are friends. Factl ] saw
her pick him up and play with him.
wheel The goose-flesh popped out
on me till It busted the buttons of my
vest. She amt my kind Of people,
Paloma. Strange amt no name for
her no, sirI That woman's dam near
peculiar"
Paloma remained unmoved. 81
thought you knew. She used to be a
snake-charmer."
"A-what?" There was no doubt
about 1t. Blaze's hair lifted. He
bllnked through his big spectacles; he
paved the air freely with his hands.
"How can you let her touch you? /
couldn't. I'll bet she carries a pocket
full Of dried tOads and-and keeps live
lizards in her hair. I knew an old VOC
doc woman that ate ~cockroaches. Get
shed of her, Paloma, and Wen fumi-
gate the house."
At that moment Mrs. Strange herself
opened the kitchen door to inquire, us
anything wrong?" Misleading Blaze's
expression for one Of pain, she ex-
claimed: Mercy! Now, what have
you done to yourselfT"
But the object OF her solicitude
backed away, making peculiar clucking
sounds deep in his throat. Paloma
was saying:
'GThis is my father, Mrs. Strange.
You and he have never happened to
meet before"
"Why, yes we havei / know you,'
the seamstress exclaimed. Then q puz'
zled light fiickered In her black eyes
Seems to me we've met somewhere
but-I've met so many people" She
extended her hand, and Blaze tool
1t as II expecting to find 1t cold and
scaly. He muttered something unin
telligible. "rve been dying to see you.'
she told him, 'and thank you for Civ
fng me Paloma's work. / love yor
both for It."
Blaze was immensely relieved tina
this dreaded crisis had come and gone
but wishing to make assurance doubl,
sure, he contorted his features into {
smile the ike Of which. his daughtel
had never seen, and in a disguises
voice inquired. snow where do yo'
reckon you ever saw met"
The seamstress shook her head. "
don't know. but I'll place you befof
long. Anyhow, I'm glad you aren'
hurt. From the way you called Palom'
l thought you were. I'm handy aroun'
sick people. 30 r."
"Jistent" Paloma interrupted
There's someone at tho front door.
She left the room; Blase was edgin
, after her when he heard her utter
stiied scream and call his name.
Now Paloma was not the kind Q
SRI to scream without cause. and he
cry brought Blaze TO the front Of tn
Z house at q run. But what he saw Their
: treasured him momentarily; nothin
was in sight more alarming than on
Of the depot hacks, In the rear seat .
which was huddled the figure of
, man. Paloma WINS flying down the wal
4 toward the gate. and Phil Strange wa
awaiting on the porch. As Blaze fun
himself into view the latter exclaimed
Fl brought him straight here. M
3 Jones. 'cnuse I knew You was his be-
friend"
pWho7 who - itr'
'nAve Law. He must have come 1
o on the noon train Anyhow, I four
him--like that" The two men hurrie
toward the read. aide by side.