The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-08-25
CHAPTER WI
Johnnie ereen-Match.Maker.

Johnnie Green gave an upward jerk
to the fryiM-pan and caught the fap-
jack as 1t descended.
''Fust and last call for breakfast in
the dining-cyar Come and get 1t, old
timer" he sang out to Clay.
That young man emerged from his
bedroom glowing. He was one or two
shades of tan lighter than when he
had reached the city, but the paint of
ArIzona's untempered sun still distin-
guished him from the native-born, If
there are any such among the inhabi-
tants Of upper New York.
you're one sure-enough cook" he
drawled to his satellite "Best flap
Jacks ever made in this town."
The Runt beamed all over, If he
had really been puppy he would
have wagged his tail Since he couldn't
do that he took 1t out in grinning. Any
word of praise from Clay made the
world a sunshiny one for him.
The two men were baching it. They
had little apartment in the Bronx
and Johnnie looked after it for his
friend. One Of Johnnie's vices-ac-
cordlng to the standard of the B-in-a-
Box boys-was that he was as neat
as an old maid. He liked to hang
around a mess-wagon and cook dough-
nuts and pies. His talent came In
handy now, for Clay was no house
keeper.
After the breakfast things were
cleared away Johnnie Jared forth to
certain house adjoining Riverside
drive, where he earned ten dollars
week as outdoors man. His business
was to do odd Jobs about the place.
He cut and watered the lawn. He
made small repairs. Beatrice had
rose garden, and under her direction
he dug, watered and fortified.
incidentally, the snub-nosed little
puncher with the unfinished features
adored his young mistress in the
dumb, uncritical fashion schoolboy
does Ty Cobb or an Eddie Collins.
In his heart he had hopes that Clay
would fall In love with and marry her.
But her actions worried him. Some
times he wondered II she really under
stood what a catch Clay was.
He tried to tell her his notions on
the subject the morning Clay praised
his flapjacks.
She was among the rose-bushes,
gloved and hated, clipping American
Beauties for the dining room, dainty
but very self-reliant little personality.
Miss Beatrice, l been thinkin' about
you and Clay" he told her. leaning on
his spade.
what have you been thinking about
us?" the girl asked, shipping off a big
rose.
How you're the best-lookin' couple
, that man would see anywheres."
Into her clear cheeks the color
flowed, IF thought nonsense like
that I wouldn't say It," she said quiet
I ". "Were not couple. He's man
; I'm a woman. like him and want Il
stay friends with him If youll let me.
"Sure. | know that, but" Johnnie
groped helplessly to try to explain
what he had meant. "Clay he like'
you a heap" he finished inadequately
The eyes of the girl began to dance
There was no use taking offense a
this simple soul. Does he? I'm sur,
I'm gratifled," she murmured, bus.
with her scissors among the roses.
"Yep. / never knowed Clay to lool
at a girl before. He sure thinks a heal
Of you"
She gave a queer little bubblin
laugh. you're gathering me-"
Honest, amt" Johnnie whispere
d secret across the rose bushes. essay
If you work 1t right l believe you ca
get him.
The girl sparkled. Here was ne'
slant on matrimonial desirability
Clearly the view of the little COW
puncher was that Clay had only {
crook his fingers to summon any gil
in the world that he desired.
"What would you advise me to dol
she dlmpled.
"Sho! dunno" He shyly III
burdened himself of the warning h
had been leading up to. But 1
tie can to that dude fellow that hans
around-the Bromfield guy. o. cour'
know he amt one, two, three wit
!. you while Clay's on earth, but I don
, reckon I'd take any chances, as IL
old sayin' is. Better get shet of II
J, dude"
q Miss Whitford bit her lip to kee
d from exploding in sudden gale
. mirth. But the sight of her self-a
It pointed chaperon set her off into pea
of laughter in spite of herself. II
] cry time she looked at Johnnie 81
went off into renewed chirrups. I
% was so homely and so deadly earnes
The little waif was staring at her
Is perplexed surprise, mouth open al
I, chin fallen. He could see no occasi'
t. for gayety at his suggestion. The
lie was nothing subtle about the Rur
J. In his social code wealth did not q
II