Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-24

VefSatlOn nav Not disturbed him at
first, but now an occasional word or
sentence forced its meaning through
his preoccupation, and he found him
self listening.
PalOma's visitor was woman. and
as Blaze hardened to her voice, he felt
his heart sink. 1t was Mrs Strange
She was here again. With difficulty
Blaze conquered an impulse to flee,
for she was recounting story all too
familiar to him.
why, it seemed as if the whole city
of Galveston was there, and yet no.
body offered to help us" the dress
maker was saying. "Phil was Il per-
feet hero, for the ruflian 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 Il
|black-and-blue mark
Blaze broke into a cold sweat and
cursed feebly under his breath.
"lle wasn't drunk, either. He was
just naturally depraved. You could
see it in his face"
"lIow 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 muir
muir reached the listening man. A mo-
ment. then both women burst into
shrlll, excited laughter, and Blaze him
self blushed furionsly.
This was unbearable. 1t was ba,
enough to have that woman I'm Jones.
Vile, "A constant menace to his good
name, but to allow her access to his
own home was unthinkable. Sooner
or later they We're bound to meet. and
then Pnloma would learn the disgrace.
fnl truth--yes, and the whole neigh
borhood would likewise know his
shame. In fancy, Blaze saw his rep
utaton torn to shreds and himself eX-
posed to the gibes Of the people who
venerntcd him. He would become a
scandal among men, an otfense to re-
spectacle women; children would shln
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 daugl-
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? Who!"
THAT varmint.'
'Father. what ails youY"
"Nothin ails me, but | don't want
premises, | don't like her.
Palomn regarded her parent curl.
ously. How do YOU know you don't
like her when you've never seen herY
ooh, Eve seen her, all | want to
and heard her talkn' to you just now
! won't stand for nobody telin' YOU
bad stories
spaloma snickered. "The idea. She
doesn't"
Get her out and keep her out, y
Blaze rumbled. "Shc amt right she
ain't--human. Why, what dyou reck.
on saw her do, the other day? Makes
me SILVER now. Yon remember that
big bull-snake that lives under the
barn. the one I've been lnyn' for
Well, you won't believe me, but hin,
and her are friends. Fact saw
her pick him up and play with him
WhO--ee. The goose-tlesh popped on,
on me till it busted the buttons of m,
vest. She uin't my kind of people
palomn. Strange amt no nnme fol
her; no. sir That woman's dam nen,
PECULIAR
PalOma remained unmoved. 81
thought you knew. She used to be d
.charner."
"A-what?" There was no doubt
about 1t. Blnzc's hair lifted. II,
blinked through his big spectacles; he
paved the air freely with his hands
"lIow can you let her touch you?
couldn't. I'll bet she carries q pocket
full of dried toads nnd--and keeps liz,
lizards IN her hair. knew an old VOC,
doc. woman that nte cockroachcs. Go,
shed OF her. 'alona and wen funi
gate the house"
At that moment Mrs. Strange herself
opened the kitchen door to inquire, rs
anything wrong?" Misleading Blnze's
expression for one Of pain, she TX
claimed: "Mercy. Now, what hav,
you done to yourselfi'
But the object of her sollcitudt
backed away, making peculiar cluckinl
sounds deep IN his throat I'aomu
was saying.
rrO RI. CONTINtfED)