The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1921-11-25

the Seowi he was singularly manu-
some, black-brOwed, olive-skinned will
red showing in cheek and lip, and fin,
night-black hair. Lean, almost lathy
too-no wonder Ellen Martin appeale,
TO him. aside from her pot of money
His pursuit of her, object matrlmony
had lasted two full years without evel
winning a positive yes or no.
81 felt sure you were lost. Now thai
I've found you, | mean to take yOT
home" he said masterfully.
"But YOU won't" ellen retorted
my guides here found me first. Ant
they are engaged to take me-by the
longest way round"
"Tn save them the trouble. but moi
let them lose the profit" Clifford an
swered, thrusting his hand In hi.
pocket.
Ellen's eyes stayed him. Under
stand-this is my affair, keep my
word-always," she said. "Now, Of
with you, while the ofiug is good"
Cross-eXamination Of the guides
after he had swung away proved easy
and fruitful. AmOs's dollar was
translated into circus, coming next
week, and heretofore beyond hope.
Bert wanted a little dog playmate Ia
cuddle down outside the blankets and
sleep with his head on the pillow
something not to be thought Of witt,
the grown-up dogs Of grOwn-up PEG
pie, Jack said glibly. "Dawg and
dollar? Why II want 'em-iest
cause l do" But gentle inquisitlon
brought out that cash would realize
his dream of red fire and Roman can
dies for the Fourth, but over the dog
he got red, twisting upon his bare feet
until Amos said giggling, Il know
that's ter give Miss Loreehy, our
teacher-she says she's so awful lone
some up in her bunierlo, now her
mans done gone"
"Fine. Can we get one right away?
Ellen asked. The guides nodded like
a Mandarin chorus. Ole Man SwacE
II appeared, had a litter Of cookers
fine fat. curly fellows, Just weaned
NO-he didn't live so fur outen the
Wayne morn err mile-but he wa
tight as the bark Of a tree. Tire
dollars-tblnk Of ltl-for a pup youl
could nigh put in yer pocket. Yet. h.
never give Anne a cent OF the money
for all her trouble feeding and brusl
ing and keeping the kennels clean
And she was better Iookin' n his
best dawg-nice every way-never
mouthed o muttered-and Away
ready to slip you apples or peaches
secli a Gods plenty they had always
and Ole Man wanted five cents a pee
for all you took away.
Ole Man, lean, grizzled, stoopeG.
.doddering on the surface, br~ier-sharp
below, deserved all his critics hal
said Of him. Talk Of n trade made him
all but human. Yes-he had fine pup.
-plague the luck-that gal Anne had
'em all out walkin'-the rascals wer,
slttin' so fat they near lost breatl
playing. She couldn't be gone niue
.longer-which way had she gomez Oh
down the medder-road-she was foo
ish about the creek and posles. am
sech. MoHght be you could find her 9
you traipsed along that way" Elleu
smiled, paid the agreed price. an
walked OF, calling over her shoulder
Remember Tn to take my pick-an
you not quarrel"
She felt unaccountably tender Il,
ward this unseen Anne. ylsioninp he
rustic, round and rosy. happy con
rade to the puppies, as to the Black
Eyed SusanS and hedge roses. II too
her an aback 10 come suddenly nj
sharp bend Of the way upon a blessed
damolselle, fair, golden. uly-slender
clothed in grass greenland held fas
" the arms Of Mr.. Clifford Pennington
yell Everybody Ellen said 10,
and lmperatlvely. The guides. hal,
SeSSing her motive, ohcyed with a viii
when presently she sauntered for
ward there was only Anne to receive
her help her choose. and thank nor
'%ourteously for patronage.
Take the dog to Miss Loreeny
r'gh on she ordered. Alvey won
boys and dog with u whoop. rben
after a brief talk with Anne, Ellen Went
toward Tree Top, There she walked
INTO the living room, saying evenly 70
assembled family: let me an.
nounce an engagement. Anne. grand-
daughter Of Mr.. James Swack 70 az
ford Pennington. ESo