The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-10-24

met WIN an nCCiuent, but was being
cared for by an old friend. Miss Esther
Peters. while the writer was endeavor-
ing 10 carry on his business TO the best
OF her ability. On his-Mr. Roberts
return-she would be pleased TO fur
nish him with n statement of the finan-
cial situation. 1t was signed Matilda
Peters"
Holy cntsl" gasped ROBBERS Blais-
dell. poor old pa--laid up In the
clutches of two old maids, who will
probably run up pretty bill Of ex-
pense-hnancial situation. indeed"
And as another aud worse thought
flashed over him. .Lordy. perhaps
they'll marry himl"
A delayed schedule on the railroad
brought Robert Blnisdelrs train into
the station nearest the village where
his father was still confined just three
hours late. AS he was inquiring about
n conveyance to take him To Miss
Esther Peters house, peculiar-look.
ing wagon drove by. He was standing
so that he did not see IL. and his men.
tai state precluded his hearing any.
thing so common as wagon wheels or
horses hoofs. The station agent. who
did not like the livery man, saw It.
"Whnt makes you hire n rig, any.
wayT' he suggested. "Save your three
dollars and ride up along II you want
to see Miss Esther. That wagon you
see up ahead Is goil' to the very house
20 hn tin ~ a.
Valentine. He got terrible spill bout
six weeks ago and he's been laid up Mt
Esther's house ever since. She's takin
care Of fhim-and-well,h he didn't waste
much time takln' that advice" he fin.
ished TO the empty air.
For Robert Blalsdell was racing up
the dusty road after his fathers
wagon, now in the hands of that
money-grabbing old hen; he'd lose nc
time telling her where she got Off. This
was too good chance to miss.
Matilda. driving contentedly home
ward. heard the hcarse shouts. Hi
hi--here-you, wait minute"
She stopped. Robert Blaisdell. red
and hot from his pursuing race. loped
TO the front of the cart. He, too,
stopped. and said not another word.
He took Off his hat and painted. Ma
tilda waited. politely. She could see
that he was quite disturbed. "Don't
hurry" she said. you're awfully out
of breath"
'T beg your pardon" he gasped at
last. "But the station agent said this
wagon was going-said 1t was-said-
oh, darn tim Robert Blaisdell-may
ride up to see my father with you?"
He wondered who this pretty girl
was that was helping out that old Ma
tilda thing as they drove along the
shady roads. Not that he knew the
roads were shady-he knew only that
the girl had yellow hair-real hair,
not bleached stuff-and brown eyes
that were straightforward and friend
ly, and a lovely white skin-and. oh.
yes, there were three little freckles
right by her nose. And he hoped she
lived near Miss Esther Peters.
She was telling him about the acci-
dent. She seemed to know lot about
1t. $50 Miss Esther's taking care of
him, is shef" he replied at last I'm
sure that's very kind of her. And shall
see Miss Matilda, too7 She wrote
me this letter."
The girl turned and looked at him.
She laughed. "You're looking at her
now," she said. "Tm Matilda"
Robert could stay only two days that
first time. But he went back to the
main Office and told them about the
crying needs OF his wares In certain
neglected rural district. And they toia
him to go there in PHYS name and sell
his goods. so he came back very sooD.
And again and again-for n broken hip
does not mend easily-especially when
the bones are not as young as they
once were.
When, In July. Mr.. Valentine was
able to sit on the porch, Robert came
again, and found the three engaged In
the financial situation"
'Bob." said his father, "this girl has
enlarged the business. Her receipts
for the last three months are more
"tiN u stbi atV. bVh
know but what I'll retire and turn the
cart over TO her"
Miss Esther blushed at the look he
gave her. "I'm going 10 tell him,
Esther" Mr.. Valentine went on. IF
he's got any eyes in his head, he
knows It already. Yes-Bob. she's GO
ing to take care OF me all the rest of
my days, and with Esther for wife.
/ don't much care whether the old leg
gets well or not. l shan't want 10 run
very far away from her. So, Bob, give !
your mother-to-be a kiss. and perhaps |
you can kiss your new cousin as WELL"
"0h. Mr.. valentine" And Matilda
was OF the porch in n flash, down |
among the rose bushes. But not too |
far away to miss what Robert was
saying.
cousin? Not on your llfel Don't |
you know first cousins can't marry In |