Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-12-29
PETE:
BY MOLLIE MATHER

4-e~~e~~~11e--~~s-~
Copyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union
Dora turned her petulant gaze upon
the young man seated before her. lie
was an idle, good looking young man,
and as Dora's petulance merely added
to her charms, he smiled good Eumor-
eddy.
"Well, what's the affection now?
New car not turned out to be all as e1-
pected, or has Phipps developed dis
temper?"
''The new car" Dora answered crisp
ly, sis all that was represented. And
Phipps is healthy dog. The trouble
is, wish Aunt Celesta had willed her
valuables, (meaning house and garden)
to some other dependable relation. The
gift to me was unexpected because
Aunt Celesta and never did get along
WELL And she hasn't left money
enough to properly care for the place,
which, under the condition of legatee.
l am obliged to occupy. Look at that
lawn, BERTHE Barlow, grass so tall and
bushy one can scarcely walk through
it, and no man to cut it down. Why
don't you prove yourself a friend in
need, and bring out the lawn mower!
The exercise would do you good"
Bert Barlow glanced ruefully down
his immaculate white fannels.
Wouldn't do the suit any good" he
objected, anyway | am out here for
a vacation. What's the matter with
asking the fellow across the way to
come over and NOW this grass when
he is through with that job over there"
Dora hopefully regarded the khaki
clad figure, busily troweling the gar
den beds opposite.
81 am afraid" Dora said, that the
people over there hire him regularly.
Thornton is the name on their mail
box. l have not met Mrs. Thornton,
but she is a sweet-faced, silvery-haired
old lady, who frequently comes out to
give the man directions regarding the
pruning of trees and so forth"
Dora crossed the dusty highway and
presented herself to the laborer. u
would like to engage you,' she an
nounced, "to NOV my lawn-the gar
den opposite-I have also other ode
jobs for you to do if you work out
by the day"
The man Strengthened from his task
He was tall and lissome, his dark eyes
gravely regarded Dora, while hi
brushed the hair from his forehead
with grimy hand.
81 am the new tenant of the Har
mon house." she explained, when viii
you be able to come over and worl
for me?'
The mans eyes were still specu
lative. "Well. I've got lot here t
finish," he began.
Tomorrow then?" Dora's tone wa
| imperative.
The man smiled in sudden surrender
His white teeth flashed against tn
tanned brown of his face.
Tomorrow then" he agreed.
BERTHE was lolling on the verand
the following morning, when Dora
workman reported for duty. He sti
wore the dirty khaki suit, and sc
to work with a will. She went wit
him to hunt the cythe and mower wit
the garage and admired the free cas-
swing of his arms as he worked.
Bertie's indolent inactivity frette
her more than usual; Berthe was bt
coming each day more uninterestin'
Dora was quite sure now that Sh
could never marry him. His visit
the country had proven the fact.
eff you please" called the workman
twill you show me where to hang tn
hammock beneath the trees?'
Dora went to show him, and whe
the hammock was placed she sat
it, and explained-while the man stoo
looking up into the branches--just no
she would like the tree trimmed. An
as he got out his pruning knives, |
talked to her respectfully, yet wit
a pleasing humor, concerning the cou
tryside and it's residents.
Dora was utterly astonished whe
the noon whistle blew and quite i
different to Bertie's resentment OF NJ
neglect.
Il am going" she told him after tt
noon meal, ito direct Pete in the a
rangement Of a flower bed. Pete
the name the man told me to call hi
, by. So you will have to amuse you
self this afternoon, BERTHE, or go home
!. BERTHE, in his grievance, prompt
a went home. But as days passed Wi
, no word from her desirable admire
Dora felt no regret.
She was busy-happily busy-in Il
planning out of an entirely new ga
= den, which her workman was to bril-
> to achievement; and sometimes as 81