The Lamar register., 1920-02-25


them. They had meant to pay well for
what they got; now the longer they
talked or listened to the two women
the more impossible became the offer
of money. The Beeches were so sim
ply, SO joyously hospitable. so eagerly
kind, their guests felt instinctively the
ofrsr of money would hurt them.
But TO 90 away without making
some return was equally impossible.
Once Acton. the head surveyor.
thought OF suggesting thar the cutoff.
almost sure tu come through the out
pasture, might mean a round price to
the Beeches for Its right of way. But
that seemed rather low-as If he hint
ed at payment through favors to come.
Whispers went about from one TO an
other, behind the backs of hands, or
under the pretense of filling pipes from
a common pouch. They established
the fact that all five agreed-a money
offer was out of the question, yet
something had to be done.
At last Acton had a brilliant idea
namely, TO take Tug along when they
left upon plea OF needing guidance.
and send back by his hand either an
honorarium fitting the case or an in
timatlon that the Beeches would get.
a little later. something more substan-
tial than thanks. The rest agreed.
still in whispers, that It was a way
out. They were young fellows all, and
gentlemen all. therefore they stared ut
Catherine only when she was looking
the other way.
She was not strictly pretty, but
there was classic grace in her lengths,
her poses, the turn of her head, with
its crown OF heavy plaits. even in the
simple lines of her blue-checked ging-
ham frcck. Anderson looked at her
least OF all-he was the youngest of
them, just twenty-one and out OF
school. After each look he turned
away his head and puffed hard as
though trying to settle a perplexing
problem.
All things end-even after-dinner
rests. BY three o'clock the party was
away, Tug walking proudly with 1t at
Acton's elbow. Acton drew him out
VI Ten hhtn
there was no pinch Of poverty in the
Beech homestead. neither any great
plenty OF ready money. He gathered
also that Tug owned In full the family
feeling Of hospitality.
Boy that he was. he said gayly all of
them must come again-come to stay.
IL the railroad were built that way
and run In whiles II It went five miles
on. "All you'll get'll be good beds and
enough to eat-sech as II is" He add
ed: But nanny cooks right good"
Indeed she does," came In chorus
from the gang. Tug smiled. "You
oughter eat with us when she has er
chance to show what she can do" he
said. To-day she jest hustled up not
much more'n snack for you-all."
Further questions ELECTED that Tug
had already a gun, watch-helrlooms
both from grahddad-a saddle and sad
die horse; also that he didn't keer
fer frecrnckers and sech-mammy was
so pizen 'fraid of EN-" Any personal
benefaction being thus estopped, In de
spair Acton burst out: "Say, Tug, what
does your nanny want the very
worst1 We are not trying to pay
but she saved our lives-almost-we
were hungry enough to eat each other
and now we shan't be hungry for
week. We're grateful: we want to send
her something. Tell us-there's a good
feliow-just what she had rather
hRvef"
Tug stared. flushed. turned away his
head and shifted on his feet. After a
minute he said. very low. almost as
though crushed by the saying: wish
ter patience ye hadn't asked me-but
nanny says must always tell the
truth. She don't ra'alely want but one
thing In the world-that's q beau.
business beau. fer Kitty Cat-and l
don't reckon you could send her that! !"
His tone was wistful-so wistful no.
body laughed. Instead, all eyes went
significantly to young Anderson. After
a long look at him Acton said, pressing
Tugs hand: Yes, we can-but you
mustn't say word about it-not till
after the wedding"
II won't" Tug promised. And. truly.
be never did.