Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-01-08

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 hanus, or
under the pretense of filling pipes from
a common pouch. They established
the fact that all five agretd-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 lis hand either an
honorarium fitting the case or an in
timati0n that the Beeches would get.
a little later, something more substan-
tial than thanks The rest agreed,
still in whispers that 1t was way
out They were young fellows all, and
gentlemen all, therefore they stared at
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 frock 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 pulled 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 it at
Actions elbow. Acton drew him out
adroitly. inside Of ten minutes he knew
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,
If the railroad were built that way
and run in whites If it went five miles
OFF. "All you'll get'll be good beds and
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 a snack for you-all."
Further questions ELECTED that Tug
had already a gun, watch--heirlooms
both from granddad-a saddle and sad
die horse; also that he didn't keer
fer frecrackers 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
worst? We are not trying to pay
but She saved our llves-almost-we
were hungry enough to eat each other
and now we shan't be hungry for a
week. We're grateful; we want TO send
her something. Tell us--there's a good
fellow just what she had rather
have?"
Tug stared, flushed, turned away his
mead ana SnlIieu on MS IeeI After IL
minute he said, very low, almost as
though crushed by the saying Wish
ter patience We hadn't asked me-but
nanny says I must always tell the
truth She don't raalely want but one
thing in the world-that's beau. a
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 nc him Acton said, pressing
Tugs hand Eyes, we can--but you
mustn't say a word about it--not till
after the wedding"
81 wont" Tug promised And, truly,
he never did