Evening star., 1921-07-10

old Peggy around in the stall. hoping
against hope, but without the desired
result. She simply wouldn't step on his
foot.
One bitter cold night lust before
foremost citizens sat around the big
sheetiron stove in Lamsop 'sistQFes Out
side the wind was blowing g. gale. !,
spent out %a'f in ss ReSraska: ans M1mIamson arns
was saying. He was probably the most
travelled man in town. Every time he
told story he went little farther
west.
1t. but we had to drive twenty-six miles
in sleighs to get tree on Christmas
eve. I mean a Christmas tree. The
Thermometer registered 2s below zero
and
He was interrupted by the opening Of
the door. An Icy draft swept down the
length of the store.
"Shnt that door," roared out Mar
shall Crow.
But t. the he door &c ; remained open. There
That's funny. said Newt Spratt.
RI shut it tight when came in a while
ago."
well. go and shut it again." ordered
Mr.. Grow; DO you want US to freeze
our ears?'
NS"l 8Ot anu hlCkeO tHS QOOf
shut. saw that 1t was latched, and re-
turned to his place near the stove.
Marshal Crow. during his absence,
had exchanged a seat on boz Of
soap for the cane-bottom chair Newt
had been occupying.
son. "the thermometer registered"
Again the door few open. With one
accord the assembled group arose and
peered.
Newt. II latched her sure that time"
pulling his coat collar UP about his
throat rs he encountered the furious
blast OF the wind.
At the top OF tne steps leading up
to the porch stood a small figure
wrapped in shawl. 1t was a young
the street
We'll. Of all the. Say. don't you
know it's after 9 o'clock" exclaimed
the old marshal. whats q young
girl like you doin' out this time O.
night?"
isis that you. Mr.. Crow" quaked
the girl without turning her head.
1T is. What's that got to do with
it,"
I You don't see him anywheres
up the street. do .you?"
me- 1 ain't goin' to stand here in this
door an freeze to death. Come in
Il dassent. Maybe he foliored me-"
why. It's Lucius Fry's girl Elfa-
rstt1" ret mated ssaa Ele. Elmer r. Pratt Whats
You're sure he alh't followerin'
me?" said the girl.
Il don't see anybody, Elhe." said
Anderson Crow,
ITS a little early for Santa Claus"
rrz~ ,t~h t,trr rfy1ep Hnn tN
the stove. Come inside and tell us
all about it."
The girl entered the store. and some
one closed the door. She was shiver-
ing, not altogether from the cold. Her
glance darted hither and thither, as
IL in quest of 4 more enduring pro-
lection than that exemplified by the
msn-power surrounding her.
Roll that barrel of sugar over
against the door" she ordered quick
". II wouldn't have him catch me
here for anything"
You needn't be skeered." said the
marehal. "Ain't we here? Let's see;
there's one. two-eight OF US. /
lied clean this bunch up as easy
as rolling OF a log. said Elfaretta.
edging toward the fire, but all the
while casting uneasy apprehensive
gIances over her shoulder.
Are you referring to your estimabie
dad?" inquired Mr.. Squires from the
rocking chair.
"Yes, 1 am" said Elfaretta, some
what deiantly.
"Is he q little more vicious than
ueual tonight" asked the reporter.
Hes just simply awful" said the
girl. II had to come out to see II l
couldn't get Mr.. Grow to come up to
the house an'-an' settle him. He
seen me just as was going out the
door, and took after me. Out by fhe
set down like ton OF bricks. Oh, I
never heard such cussing. You got
to come up to the house right away,
Mr.. Grow. He's Just terrible. He
Hold on 2 minute" interrupted the
my questions. Is he -.