The Raymer enterprise., 1917-08-16

or later they were bound TO meet. and
then Paioma would learn the disgrace.
ful truth--yes, and the whole neigh
| borhood would likewise know his
shame In fancy, Blaze saw his rep
utatlon torn to shreds and himself ex-
posed TO the gibes Of the people who
yenerated him. He would become a
scandal among mel, an offense to re-
spectacle womes children would shun
him. Blaze could not bear to think
Of the consequences. for he was very
fond Of the women and children OF
Jonesvllle. He rose from his ham
mock and tiptoed down the porch into
the kitchen. from which point of Sc
curlty he called loudly for his daugh-
Ter.
Alarmed AT his tone, Paloma came
running. What is the matterl' she
asked, quickly.
Get her OUT" Blaze cried, savagely,
sect shed Of her"
Herr Who?"
"That yarmint."
"Father, what ails youT'
"Nothin' alls me. but | don't want
that caterpillar erawlin' around my
premises. don't like her"
Paloma regarded her parent curl
ousIy. "How do you know you don't
like her when you've never seen herr
"Oh, I've seen her all | want TO f:
and heard her talkln' to you just now.
won't stand for nobody tellin' you
bad stories"
Paloma snickered. "The idea! She
doesn't"
Get her out, and keep her out. -
Blaze rumbled. "She ain't right; She
ain't-human. Why. what dyou reck.
on / saw her do, the other dayi Makes
me shlyer 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
her pick him up and play with him.
Who-ee! The goose-fesh popped out
on me till II busted the buttons of my
vest. She aln't my kind of people.
Paloma. Strange amt no name for
her; no, sir That woman's dam near
peculiar"
Paloma remained unmoved. ~
thought you knew. She used to be a
snake-eharmer."
"A--whaty" There was no doubt
about II. Blaze's hair lifted He
blinked through his big speetacles: he
paved the air freely with his hands.
"How can you let her touch you7
couldn't. I'll bet she carries a pocket
ful of dried toads and-and keeps live
lizards In her hair. knew an old voo-
doc woman that ate cockroaches. Get
shed of her Paloma, and we'll fumi.
gate the house"
, AT that moment Mrs. Strange herself
opened the kitchen door TO inquire, is
anything wrong?" Misreadlns 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 clucklng
sounds deep in his throat. Paloma
was saying:
This is my father, Mrs. Strange
You and he have never happened to
meet before"
why yes we have! l know you
the seamstress exclaimed. Then puz-
zled light illckered in her black eyes.
Seems TO me we've met somewhere,
but-lye met so many people" She
extended her hand, and Blaze took
II as II expecting to find it cold and
scaly. He muttered something unin-
telliglble. I've been dying to see you.
she told him, "and thank you for CIV
ing me Paloma's work. l love you
both for It,"
Blaze was immensely relieved that
this dreaded crisis had come and gone
but wishing to make assurance doubly
sure, he contorted his features into a
smile the like of which his daughter
had never seen, and in a disguised
voice inquired. "Now where do you
reckon you ever saw met"
The seamstress shook her head. 81
don't know, but I'll place you before
long. Anyhow. I'm glad you aren't
hurt. From the way you called Paloma
| thought you were. I'm handy around
sick people, so +"
"Listenw Paloma interrupted.
There's someone at the front door
She left the room; Blaze was edging
after her when he heard her utter q
stihed scream and call his name.
Now Paloma was not the kind Il
girl TO scream without cause, and her
cry brought Blaze to the front of the
house at run. But what he saw there
reassured him momentarily; nothing
was In sight more alarming than one
Of the depot hacks, In the rear seat OF
which was huddled the figure Of a
man. Paloma was flying down the ws.k
toward the gate, and Phil Strange was
awaiting on the porch. As Blaze flung
himself into view the latter exclaimed
II brought him straight here. Mr.
Jones, cause I knew you was his Best
friend"
"Who? Who Is 1T"
Dave Law. He must have come In
on the noon train. Anyhow, | found