The Snowflake herald., 1917-09-28

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youthful eagerness to enlist. Blaze
realized that he was old and fat ana
nearsighted but what of that? he
could fight. Fighting, in fact, mad
been one of his earliest accomplish
ments, and he prided himself upon
knowing as much about it as any
man could learn. He believed in fight
ing both as a principle and as an ex-
ercise; in fact, he attributed his good
health to his various neighborly ''un-
pleasantnesses," and he had more than
once argued that no great fighter ever
died of a sluggish liver or of any one
of the other ills that beset sedentary,
peace-lOving people. Nations were
like men-too much ease made them
f1abby. And Blaze had his own ideas
of strategy, too. So during the perusal
of his paper he bemoaned the mis-
takes his government was making.
Why waste time with ultimatums? he
argued to himself. He had never done
so. Experience had taught him that
the way to win a battle was to beat
the other fellow to the draw; hence
this diplomatic procrastinatiOn filed
him with impaience. 1t seemed al
most reasonable to one of Blaze'S in
tense patriotism.
He was engaged in laying out plan
of campaign for the United States
when he became conscious of voices
behind him, and realized that for some
time PalOma had been entertaining a
caller in the front room. Their con-
versatiOn had not disturbed him at
first, but now an occasional word or
sentence forced its meaning through
his preoccupation, and he found him
self listening.
Paloma'S visitor was woman, and
as Blaze hardened to her voice, he felt
his heart sink. 1t was Mrs. Strange.
She was here again. With difficulty
Blaze conquered an impulse to fee,
for she was recounting a story all too
familiar to him.
''Why, it seemed as if the whole city
of Galveston was there, and yet no
body offered to help u.s." the dress
maker was saying. ''Phil was a per-
feet hero, for the ruffian was twice
his size. Oh, it was an awful fight
hate to think of it."
"What made him pinch you?
PalOma inquired.
Heaven only knows. Some men are
dreadful that way. Why, he left a
black-and-blue mark"
Blaze broke into a cold sweat and
cursed feebly under his breath.
'He wasn't drunk, either. He was
just naturally depraved. You could
see it in his face"
"HoW did you escape"
"Well, I'll tell you. We chased him
up across the boulevard and in among
the tents, and then" Mrs. Strange
lowered her voice until only a MUIR
mur reached the listening man. A mo-
ment, then both women burst into
shrill, excited laughter and Blaze him
self blGshed furiously.
This was unbearable! 1t was bad
enough to have that woman in Jones'
vile, constant menace to his good
name, but to allow her access to his
own home was unthinkable. Sooner
or later they were bound to meet, and
then Paloma would learn the disgrace
ful 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.
"Get her out - Blaze cried, savagely.
"Get shed of her."
'Her? Whow
"That varmint."
Father, what ails you?"
"Nothin' ails me, but / don't want
that caterpillar crawlin' around my
premises. l don't like her."
PalOma regarded her parent curl
ously. "How do you know you don't
like her when you've never seen her?'
"Oh, I've seen her, all I want to !;
and heard her talkin' to you just now.
/ 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 saw her do, the other day? Makes
me shiver 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. Fact! saw
L.