Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-02-22

Il, %
am Burrell chung TO Stephen
O'Mara Barbara Allison had opportu-
nifty for little more than a perfunctory
word or two Of greeting that after
noon during the first hour Or two that
followed a jolting ride on the fat car
which trundled them to the head Of
feet touched the ground Miriam's eager
survey singled out tall figure at the
edge of the farthest embankment, and
in spite of the fact that he was at
the moment in sober conversation with
white haired, white bearded Mclean
she crossed instantly to take hold of
both of Steve's arms and have his un-
divided attention. Barbara, at Wick
ersham's side, glancing now and then
in their direction, knew we'll what sub
ject was engrOssing them to the ex-
clusion of all else. But Allison's ac-
ceptance Of that arrangement as time
passed grew less patient.
For time Allison was content to
stroll along with the rest-content with
his facetious comments on Elliott's ex-
PLANTATION of this matter or that. Yet
whenever his eyes strayed toward
Miriam and that other figure whom
a week or two before he had designat-
ed as my man O'Mara" his jovialty
faltered little, his manner grew res
tive. After time he. too, detached
himself and sauntered in the direction
Of that wholly preoccupied pair.
"See here, my lady," he accosted the
girl, who turned extremely bright eyes
upon his approach, this won't do at
all! How do you suppose am going
to get minute with Mr. O'Mara here
if you persist in clinging to his elbow?
You'll have to run along. You run
over and listen with the rest to Ell
liott's heroic tale of this soaring of
the face of nature. I've waited good
many days to talk business with Mr..
O'Mara. Pm not going to lose him
now I've got him cornered."
Had Dexter Allison been less Occu-
pied with other thoughts the face which
Miriam Burrell turned toward him
would have surprised him if only be-
cause Of the unusual color burning in
her cheeks. At that he was vaguely
aware that he had never before seen
that quiet, self contained girl so pulls
ingly happy. She stood and gazed at
him a moment, then made him a low
and hooking obeisance.
Don't flatter yourself that I haven't
noted your covetous glances,' Miriam
flashed at Allison. give been talking
very fast because l knew this inter-
ruption was coming. But we've finish
ed, thank you, so I'll leave you toto
bore him now"
She turned back toward O'Mara
"And thank you," she murmured not
very audibly. ''Thank you more than
I ever thanked anybody before in my
life. You've made me very, very hap
py."
No one could have missed the depth
Of real thankfulness in those last
words. Even Allison stood astonish-
ed at it, mouth open, following her
rapid withdrawal toward the group
fifty yards away.
"Huh-h-h," he snorted. "Huh-h-h. A
mighty strange girl" And then, as
abruptly as he had interrupted their
low conversation: "Well, how does it
go, chief? How does it look to you as
far as you've gomez"
No mans good humor could be more
infectious than was that Of this big,
noisily CARRIED man. Steve smiled and
met his cordially more than halfway.
''Not too bad" Steve answered. "Nct
too bad" He swept the ground before