The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-07-12

Vile, q 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
full 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 ut his tone, Paloma came
running. "What is the matter" she
asked, quickly.
"Get her out! !" Blaze cried, savagely.
"Get shed of her."
"Her? WhoY
"That varmint."
"Father, what ails you?"
"Nothin' ais me, but I don't want
that caterpillar crawlin' around my
premises. I don't like her"
Paloma regarded her parent curl
ously. "How do you know you don't
like her when you've never seen herr"
X ooh, I've seen her, all 1 want to;
and I heard her talkin' to you just now.
I 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 amt right; she
ain't-human. Why, what d'you reck-
on I saw her do, the other day? Makes
me SILVER 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! I saw
her pick him up and play with him.
Wheel! The goose-flesh popped out
on me till it busted the buttons of my
vest. She amt my kind of people,
Paloma. Strange amt no name for
her; no, sir! That woman's dam near
peculiar"
Paloma remained unmoved. II
thought you knew. She used to be a
snake-charmer."
"A-whatY" There was no doubt
about it. Blaze's hair lifted. He
blinked through his big spectacles; he
paved the air freely with his hands.
"How can you let her touch you? I
couldn't. I'll bet she carries a pocket
full of dried toads and-and keeps live
lizards in her hair. I knew an old WOO
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, us
anything wrong?" Misleading Blaze's
expression for one Of pain, she ex-
claimed: Mercy! Now, what have
you done to yourself?"
But the object Of her solicitude
backed away, making peculiar clucking
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! I know you"
the seamstress exclaimed. Then a puz'
zled light fickered in her black eyes
Seems to me we've met somewhere,
. but-Ive met so many people," She
extended her hand, and Blaze took
it as if expecting to find it cold and
, scaly. He muttered something unin-
!, telligible. 1--WE been dying to see YOU
she told him, land thank you for Civ
ing me Paloma's work. I 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 O
smile the like Of which his daughter
had eve 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
!, I thought you were I'm handy around
sick people, so +"
Listen" Paloma interrupted.
"There's someone at the front door,
, She left the room; Blaze was edging
, after her when he heard her utter o
stifled scream and call his name.
, Now Paloma vas not the kind OF
girl to scream without cause, and her
cry brought Blaze to the front of the
: house at q run But what he saw there
: treasured 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 9
man. Paloma was flying down the walk
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