Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-03-08

"If men Billy Louise signs this note
well pay IL; and we want some per
lection from you. fer Charlie"
Hmmm-mm--I see !" He turned an,
went back 10 the Uttered desk an,
wrote carefully again upon nnothe
sheet of paper. II think this will b.
quite satisfactory" he said, and hand
ed the paper to Marthy.
"Git my specs. Billy LouIse--off'r
the shelf over there" she sald, anC
read the paper laboriously. her lips
forming the letters OF every WORD
which contained more than one syl
liable. Marthy. remember, was "A plains
woman born and bred.
II guess that'll do" she pronounced
at last, pushing the spectacles up on
her lined forehead. "You read IL. Billy
Louise, m see what yuh think"
II think It's all right, Marthy," said
Billy Louise, after she had read the
document twice. ITS bill of sale /:
and II also wipes the slate clean of any
possible 1 think Mr.. Seabeck is very
c-cieyer."
Whereupon Marthy signed the note,
with spluitering Of the abused pen in
her stiffened old fingers and great
twisting OF her grim mouth as she
formed the capitals. Then Billy Louise
wrote her name with fine, schoolgirl
ease and a little curl on the end OF the
last d. Seabeck took the paper from
the tips of Billy Lonise's supcrcilious
10
for II blotter. hunted m envelope.
folded the note carefully, and laid II
away inside.
II believe that IL all. Mrs. Meilke. l
hope you will suffer no further uneasi-
ness on account Of your-nephew"
I'm liable T. suffer some glttln' that
five hundred dollars paid up" Marthy
returned with some acerblty. I'm
much obleeged 10 yuh, Mr.. SeabeclS.
fer bein' so easy on us. II yuh hadn't
drug Billy Louise into It, I'd say yer
too good to be human"
"Himmm-mm-nOt at ALL" Seabeck
stammered deprecatlngly and left the
room with what haste his natural dig
nifty would permit.
That ended the Seabeck part OF the
whole sordid affair, except that he re-
manned for another hour, doing chores
and making everything snug for the
night. Also he filled the kitchen wood
box as high as he could pile the sticks
and brought water to last overnight
since Charles plan 10 pipe water into
the cabin had remained a beautiful |
plan and nothing more. Billy Louise |
thanked Seabeck, when he was ready !
10 20.
Il know you were square, and you're !
-eally big-souled. too. I'll remember II (
always. Mr.. Seabeck."
"Will your Seabeck looked down
II her, with his hand upon the latch.
Even II you are put in position
where you must pay that note-you
viii still-tim-mm / see. Before 1
20. Miss Macdonald. l should like your
TO send man down here to
ook after things"
"No, you mustn't" Billy Louise
poke with prompt decision. "Marthy
night think you were--you see, IL
wouldn't do. III see about getting n
lan. II you viii take this note up and
cave Il Ia the mailbox for me, John
'ringle viii come up tomorrow. Wen
manage all right
''You're quite right. But, Miss Mae
Donald. there Is something else. Ter
should like 20 give you a little-wed-
ing gift, since you honored me with
he news OF your approachlng-mm-m
marriage. AS an old neighbor. and
ne OF your most sincere admirers, who
'ould feel greatly honored by your .
I-shouId like to have you
ccept this" He held something out
D Billy Louise and plsled open the
cor for instant escape. "Good night.
Iiss Macdonald. l think II will
iorm." Then no was gone, hurrylng
own the narrow path with long
tribes. his tall figure bent 20 the wind.
is coat Tapping around his lean legs.
Biiiy Louise closed the door and her
aif-opcn mouth and let down her
fted eyelids. Standing with her back
cnlnst the wall. she turned that some
ilng-an envelope--over twice, then
,rc on the end and pulled out the ,
ontents. II was the note she and Mar
ly had signed no longer than an hour
20. and written inrge across the face
+ II were the words: paid. Samuel !,
e-oid-darlng :" said Billy Lou
e under her breath and went straight
! 10 show IL 10 Marthy.