Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-12-25

so. He did know that 1t somehow con.
CerIed himself, however. He took VI
lis position mentally behind the wal
Of alOofness which stood between him
self and an unfriendly world, and when
Billy Louise came out later to help
with the dishes he was sitting alb
~sorbed in a book.
The next morning the blizzard raged
so that Warren stayed as a matter OF
course. Peter Howling Dog had not
returned, so Warren did the chores
and would not let Billy Louise helE
with anything.
Il wish we could get him to stay
all winter instead of that Peter Howl
ing Dog" Mrs. Macdonald said anx
iously after he had gone out. II just
know Peters of drinking. / DOM
think he's safe man to have around
Billy Louise. l didn't when you hired
him. 1 haven't felt easy a minute
with him on the place. l wish you'd
hire Mr.. Warren, Billy Louise. Hes
nice and quiet
And he's got a ranch Of his own
He doesn't strike me as a man wht
wants a job milking two cows anG
carrying slop to the pigs, mommie."
well, I'd feel lot easier if we haG
him instead of that breed. Only we
amt even got the breed half the time
This is the third time he's disappeared
in the two months we've had him.
really think you ought to speak to Mr.
Warren, Billy Louise"
Speak to him yourself. You're the
one that wants him." Billy Louise an
swered somewhat sharply. She adore6
Der mother, but If she had to run the
ranch she did wish her mother would
not interfere and give advice just al
the wrong time.
well, you needn't be cross about it
You know yourself that Peter can't bs
depended on a minute There he went
off yesterday and never fed the pig:
their noon slOp, and l had to carry il
out myself. And my lumbago has
bothered me ever since, just like il
was going to give me another spell
You can't be here all the time, Billy
Louise - leastways you amt - and
Peter
"Oh, good gracious, mommie! I told
you to hire the man if you want him
Only Ward Warren isn't
Ward Warren pushed open the door
and looked from one to the other, his
eyes two question marks. ISM
what!" he asked and shut the dooI
behind him with the air of one who is
ready for anything.
Isn't the kind of man who wants to
hire out to do Chores" Billy Louise
finished and looked at him straight
Are you? Mommie wants to hire
you"
''Oh. well, l was just about to ask
for the job, anyway" He laughed
and the distrust left his eyes. "As q
matter of fact, l was going over tC
Jim Larson's to hang out for the rest
of the winter and get away from the
lonesomeness of the hills The OLD
Turks a pretty good friend Of mine
But it looks to me as If you two need
ed something around that looks like q
a man a heap more than Jim does. !
know Peter Howling Dog to a fare
yOu-well. You'll be all to the good il
he forgets 70 come back. So if you'll
stake me to a meal now and then and
a place to sleep I'll be glad to see you
through the winter or until you gel
some white man to take nv place
He took up the two water pals and
waited. glancing from one to the other
with that repressed smile which Billy
Louise was beginning to look for in
his face.
Now that matters had approached
the point Of decision her mother stood
looking at her helplessly, waiting fol
her to speak. Billy Louise drew her
self up primly and ended by contra