The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-02-07

| ~TfI Thursday" muttered the SIMS
ter voice Of old Stepho, who had ap
preached softly through the under.
growth al the sound Of voices, and had
overheard their parting. But when he
came to Periwinkle house, he gave no
sign to Nadine that he had overheard
| only talked Of Monsieur Boyce and
the fine dresses be would buy for her
| when she was his wife.
1t was long past noon when brace
reached the river.
The General had gone over into an
other parish 70 attend a stock sale
Tycie said; and when she had looked
at Drace more closely, at his torn
clothes, his muddy shoes. she sighed
and sat down beside him where on the
rustic bench he had dropped to rest
before going to his room.
Virgil" she said, there is some.
thing troubling you. Now, you needn't
tell me that 1t is business. l know
what business Is. I know all Of Its
tricks; but I also know love and all
of its tricks. Virgil, you are in love.
Let me hope that 1t is not that Nina
Spence. She isn't worthy Of you; and
besides, she doesn't belong to us. She
Is not Of our world. Virgil, I am so
sorry"
She put her hand on his arm, and he
took 1t and affectionately kissed 1t.
Aunt Tycie, | never saw the girl
you speak Of. ! am In the-the throes,
you might say. and have been-was,
before got here. but not with her."
''But Is It with anyone I known"
"YOu have seen her. I have heard
"Oh, you must tell me. II shall be
sacred with me. II you only knew how
people tell me their affairs OF the heart.
Even old Colonel Josh has told me.
Now. why won't you?'
II shall tell you. but must put you
on your honor. I said that you have
seen her. You have: yoI spoke OF
her. Nadine"
"Oh. Virgil But her fatheri"
"Yes. know. But let me tell you
my story.
A%t WV va As1o AOf[. tPt VI hEo kI-
theirs death-told her nothing Of his
oath; she listened enraptured; and
when he had finished. she mothered
him with her arms about his neck.
Ahout ten O'Clock next day. while
the family sat In the shade. up To the
gate drew q respondent carriage,
drawn by two black horses and driv-
en- by negro In livery. Out stepped a
man rs tall as Lincoln and wearing n
Ike the varnish of his eGuipaGe. Drace |
him as he came through the |
gate. taking of his gloves. and the |
General cried out:
'Tycie. wish I may die dead II II
isn't Liberty Shottle!"
Colonel Shottle. at your service"
replied Liberty. bowling and gesturing |
with his gloves In his hand.
"Well. Liberty" cried his aunt. Civ
Ing him hug Of welcome.
The General and brace grasPed him,
stroked his velvety raiment. urging
him Ia Il seat.
"Why all this, Colonel Shotrle?"-
rom the General. You don't mean to
tell me that you have sold your jute-
,tock?"
"Uncle Howard. sir. first Issue orders
o have my carriage stored. my horses
stabbed and my driver quartered.
please"
The order was issued. and they SAT
Waiting for Shottle to explain his
transformation.
"A simple story" he begnn. stretch
ne out his legs. But do not forestasl
ne. Poker. dice. roulette. faro. haz-
rt-all Of them failed"
"And this comes of legitimate In
estment," Tycie cried. IT knew II
-ould. oh. knew 1t Just had to come.
low tell US about II.
at was an investment, Aunt Tycie
Int let me not forestall myself. left
ere on a boat. got broke. Finally I
cached Tampa, Florida"
away down there. Liberty from
ycie.
Patience, my dear aunt Tampa.
nd broke! After day of hope with
q throat cut from ear 10 ear, got
n boat hound for Havana. The
oanish captain gave me passage for
.rvice. He WAS studying English. and
agreed 10 explain 20 him certain
ceties Of cur mother tongue. you nm
,rstand and nm sure that. reaching
,rt he knew more about Gimbliny
rms than he could have picked up In
yeur Of close study In one of our or
nary schools. He was appreciative.
nervous, and gave me n bonus Of five
liars. / went 10 a hotel. not of the
st class. and II WAS there that
ade my investment. The weather
Is warm and"
"For gracious sake. Liberty. tell us!"
: aunt urged him.
''Tbat Is my aim, but let us not be
petuous. I was eating
anlsb stew out on the sidewalk, the
,ather being warm. when along came
agent--not a man In distress, but
sular agent-and l invested with
n. I bought ticket In the Havana