Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1921-03-03
POTAIRO
BY SADIE sTULL.

Jane Emma Lane. what be yol
dom in tibet rubbish heap?"
Jane Emma Strengthened up so sud
denly she almost dropped her precious
find"
you threw Potairo away" she ac
cused with quvering lips.
Land O. lovel Wasn't it time? TIL
old heather has disfggerd tn parlor
mantel since yer Grandfather Jared's
last voyagel"
THAT'S why 1 loved him-why !
believe in him. !"
"Stuff an nonsensel" Aunt James
angular form disappeared from the
porch. A moment later her tart voice
reminded from the kitchen: "Them
peas amt shelled yet an it's nigh 10
O'Clock %
Jane Emma gave Potairo's ugly
corner of her apron. Then, with a
quaint little obeisance she placed the
ancient idol atop the gate-post. The
incongruity of it made her laugh aloud.
From the temples of Iris and Osiris
to presiding oracle of Aunt James
prim New England garden was indeed
a far cry
AS she surveyed the effect from the
porch steps Jane Emma laughed again
this time more softly. The spell the
strange talisman had cast over her
since early childhood seemed more po-
to .irrI,f
morning.
AS though touched by a flower ma
glcian's wand Aunt James prize holly
hooks became queenly iris bordering
the sluggish Nile. The rattle of the
peas in the brightly secured pan
seemed the echo of tinkling cymbals
while above the weird strains of Egyp-
tian music sounded voice of beloved
memory
Superstition and Jared Lane never
sailed the same course till tn day a
parcel o. slick tongued natives spun
tiieir good luck yarn about Potairo.
Though one O. the lesser gods they
vowed he wus a mighty powerful one
-pertick'ly in affairs O. tn heart" A
chuckle invariably punctuated the old |
salts narrative at this juncture. "Ye |
see, there was a mighty important |
question l wus goin' ter ask a certain |
lass when we reached tn home port
so l up and shipped the queer little
cuss-at their own price"
A big black touring car had stopped :
directly in front of the gate. It's oc-
cupant, handsome woman just past
middle age, beckoned to Jane Emma
In her haste to respond the latter
nearly upset the pan of peas.
"My dear how came you by this
ancient idol?"
The voice was the sweetest and sad
dest Jane Emma had ever heard. 1t
impressed her even more deeply than
the strangers somber dress. 1t in
spired her to tell Potairo's story as
she had never told it before.
When she had finished there was a
light in her listeners eyes
hat banished years from their pain
;hadowed depths.
my DEAR l was reared mid just
iuch surroundings. That's why your
dol instantly caught my eye In my
,irlhood home was a very similar one
which my dear sailor father brought
rom a far Eastern port. Despite
coffing relatives l regarded it in the
anne romantic light as you do Pota-
ro-"
The lady smiled as she concluded
oftly: my faith was richly reward
d-as l now pray yours may bel All,
; there someone already"
The telltale color deepened in Jane
'mma's cheeks. Ere she was aware,
he had confided to this kindly
ranger, her hearts most guarded Sc
ret; the homely little romance of
hich Neighbor Peter Wayne was the
ero.
HE is twenty-six you say?" The
isty blue eyes rested on the mourn
g band on the chauffeur's arm. "Just
lie age of my own dear boyI'
When the evening shadows brought
spite from household duties, Jane
ole away to her favorlte garden re-
eat-to live again the scene of the =
Orning
Came the sound of a familiar step
ID Neighbor Peter stood before her.
With the old teasing laugh he shook
e fiower-laden boughs above her
ad. Before she could brush the
ngng petals from her hair he caught
r close in his arms.
TITS come. girl-the turn o. for
le's tidel I've found a buyer for
at shore property or rather''-his
try voice growing seriOus-"she
Ind me. It's the dear lady you gave
, flowers to. She's to build a bunga-
where she says her heart has
Ways been-near the sea Further
, says to watch our growing happi-
IS Will give her a new interest in
>"
Wen have a wedding the old town