Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-08-10

Its like your cheek" observed
Craven. "Have you mentioned the
matter to Lydia2"
Certainly not! She's having too
good time. Women won't listen to q
gratuitous lover unless bored or &C.
lively unhappy"
"Then why bother me with your
lovesick vapors?"
"Well, I wanted to see how rusty
you'd cut up. Besides, Mrs. Beggar.
staff has discovered my hideous Sc
cret, and is now busy-or about to
be-distributing handbills."
"Can't you shut her upT'
"The law forbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, I'm not sure
want her hushed. I'm not ashamed
OF the fact, and II I let the Beggarstafl
alone, sooner or later she or someone
will mention the matter to Lydia, and
then-well, rouse woman's curiosity
and half your battles won."
Craven turned to inspect the pail
at the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanks!"
Ethan Quoin, I mean"
"Curse It'll" said Peter, flushing
"I'm in earnest, Tad"
II believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispassionate scien
tific interest. II really believe vol
are, Peter. Certainly you were never
SO intolerably stupid when in love
with me-"
Peter, by this time recovered, fixet
her with a reproving glance. UTTERED
in the presence Of third party" h
said severely, ISLANDER is actionable
Merely because I didn't like to show
my distaste for your infatuated ad
vances, you take up with an emergen
cy ration like Tad here, and then &c
sore because I don't forbid the banns-
peevish childr"
"Just for that" said the woman
lust for that, Peter, I'm going Il
heap Goals of fire upon your migrate
rul head-and heaven, knows I hop'
they'll scorch and blister"
'Marble" Craven suggested witt
open incredulity.
BE quiet, Tad, and run an errant
for me, like a biddable child" Mrs
Merrilees loosed the drawstring Of I
lacework wristbag, took out tin.
pocketbook, and from this last extract
ed a slip Of paper. ''Take that to tn
purser and bring me what it calls for.
With assumed reluctance Cravel
heaved up from his place and rolle'
forward, while his fiancee Graded he
chin in her hand and regarded Pete
with whimsical smile.
"Quit It'll" he said GROSSLY. "Yo,
haven't got anything on me. yo'
know"
"How about the othersT
"Others2 I never looked cross-eye,
at girl before this"
"PeterW
"Well, hardly ever. And, anyway
from now on I'm going to wear sign
board here" He sketched the sit
upon his waistcoat:
Private. No Thoroughfare. This mean
you!
1T seems so funny-you!" Laugh
ing quietly, the woman looked up t
review Lydia with a long glance
"She's a dear GIRL" she observed.
promise never to call me mamma
and I'll do my best for you"
"What chance have I got, wit
Quoin making the pace7 He's a regu
lar fellow-Tm only q drawing roon
entertainer"
"He's a strange man." Mrs. Merri
lees unused. IF he hadn't taken u
such an impossible profession"
do you suppose he has case Il
hand now; aboard this vessel.
mean?"
'Call him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grac
imaginable. "Quoin! I say, Addison
come over here a minute. A beautifu
lady wants to ask you something.
In a lower tone he added, you're tn
best little diplomat ever. I'll be CRATE
full as long as live" And rising wit
the sunniest of smiles, he drew u
chairs for Lydia and Quoin.A
Eyes, Mrs. Merrilees?" the detectiv
inquired, taking the place at her sid
"Peter and l have been bickerin
about you," the lady fibbed brazenl.
Are you, or are you not, wasting you
brilliant talents on my devoted traili
Quoin looked puzzled. "Somethin
on your conscienceT he advanced tel
tatively. "You don't mean to try an
smuggling this trip, hope"
II can't make up my mind. I'd Low
to. Are you Interested"
"Only in your interests. Be a,
vised-don'ti
"WhyT Mrs. Merrilees poute
"Why not, If, as Peter would say,
can get away with it?"