The Huttig news., 1917-05-05

feet hero, for the ruffian was twice his size. Oh, it-was an awful fight hate to think of it."
 What made him pinch your" Paloma inquired.
 Heaven only knows Some men are dreadful that way. Why, he left black-and-blue mark I"
 Blaze broke into a cold sweat and cursed feebly under his breath.
 "He wasn't drunk, either. He was just naturally depraved. You could see it in his face"
 'How did you escape?"
 Well, I'll tell you. We chased him up across the boulevard and in among the tents, and then" Mrs. Strange lowered her voice until only mur- mur reached the listening man. A mo- ment, then both women burst into shrill, excited laughter, and Blaze him. self blushed furiously.
 This was unbearable! It was bad enough to have that woman in Jones' vile, 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 ful 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- speetable 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 fron his ham, mock and tipteed down the porch into the kitchen, from which point of se- curity he called loudly for his daugh- ter.
 Alarmed at his tone, Paloma came running. What Is the matter?" she asked, quickly.
 Get her out !" Blaze cried, savagely. Get shed of her."
 Her? Waow
 "That varInint"
 ulHef, NIldt dllS you
 "Nothin' ails me, but I don't want that caterpillar crawlin' around my premises. don't like her.''
 Paloma regarded her parent curl. ously. "Eow do you know you don't like her when you've never seen herr"
 "Oh, I've seen her, all I want to {; and heard her talkin' to you just now. I won't stand for nobody tellin' you bad stories"
 Paloma snickered. "The idea! She doesnt-"
 'Get her out, and keep her out" Blaze rumbled. "She ain't right; she ain't-human. Why, what d'you reck- on l saw her do, the other day? Makes me shiver now. You remember that big bull-snake that lives under the barn, the one I've been layin' for We'll, you won't believe me, but him and her are friends. Factl I saw her pick him up and play with him. Who-ee! The goose-fiesh popped out on me till it busted the buttons of my vest. She ain't my kind of people. PaIoyna. Strange ain't no name for Le.; TO, sir! That woman's dam near peculiar"
 Paloma remained unmoved. "I thought you knew. She used to be a snake -charmer."
 "A-whatY' There was no doubt about it. Blazes 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. Fll bet she carries a pocket full of dried toads and-and keeps live lizards in Ter hair. l knew an old voo- doc woman that ate cockroaches. Get shed of her. Paloma, and we'll fulni- gate the house."
 At that moment Mrs. Strange herself opened the kitchen door to inquire, .Is anything wrong?, Misreading Blaze's expression for one of pain, she ex- claimed: Mercy! Now, what have you done to yourseif?"
 But the object of her solicitude backed away, making peculiar clucking sounds deep in his throat. Paloma was saying:
 lhlS IS ny Iatuef, MTs. StrduRt. You and he have never happened to meet before"
 Why, yes we have! I know you, ,' the seamstress exclaimed. Then pug zled light flickered in her black eyes. Seems to me we've met somewhere, but-Fve 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. I've been dying to see you" she told him, 'and thank you for giv- ing me Paloma's work. l love you both for it."
 Blaze was immensely relieved that this dreaded crisis had come and gone i; 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 disguised voice inquired, "Now where do you reckon you ever saw mel"
 The seamstress shook her head. "I don't know, but I'll place you before lpnU Aup ,yfn