White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-12-26


Bookie interrupted. Must have
been trouble at the Indian Massacre,
Pink Aren't you going to say hello
to your son-in-law?"
"The trouble couldn't have been
about me, Pink" Hugh shrugged de-
risively.
"Trouble" snorted the landlord Of
the Indian Massacre Hotel. 1T wasn't
what you'd call trouble. 1t was the
spring inventory of you and me. Kind
of roundup and thorough over
hauling of the stock, including de-
horning, delousing, vaccination and a
forced SALE"
How did it end?" asked Bookie,
not without slightly anxious glance
at Hugh.
"They sent me over to bring you
two to supper. 1t all started when
they see Hughie come along the street
with another one Of those damned
loads of dead junk. The missis is all
worked into lather again."
What did Jessie say?" asked Hugh
Mighty little, as far as that goes,
replied Jessies father. II don't under.
stand Jessie. Never did. Sometimes
| think she's entirely under her moth
er's thumb. Sometimes seems like
she never was under anybody &
thumb. One thing is certain. She and
her mother agree that Hughie and
amt any good"
"Do they clump you and Hughie to-
gether, as carelessly as that?" asked
Bookie, sardonically.
"Well, | don't see why not" re
turned Pink, belligerently. Il DOM
see that Hughie is making much more
of a fist of things than me. For al
the boasting you used to do about
him."
"This is what l call warm wei
come home" Hugh's smile was sad
der than 1t was resentful.
30 | amt criticizing you'll" exclaim
ed Pink, quickly. "Pm just showing
a fellow feeling for you. Which
Broad minded?" queried Hugh.
Sure. "You amt exactly making &
success of it with Jessie, are you
Hughie?'
eff Jessie would try to understand
my point of view, things would g
BETTER" replied his son-in-law.
Listen, Hughie, don't you lool
down on JESSIE" said Pink. Don
you think of yourself as brainier thar
she is. Because I'm telling you, you're
wrong. She gets brain from both sides
of the house"
Bookie gave sudden shout o
laughter Poor Jessie!" he exclaim
ed
He dropped a chunk of soft coal il
at the top of the heater, put the III
on carefully, then looking from Hug
to Pink Morgan he said in a tone o
indescribable derision:
"Marriage!"
"Pd rather be an Is than a Neve
Has Been" returned Pink. "At leas
Hugh and | had the nerve to under
take what you've always run from"
Come on" Hugh slipped from tn
counter Lets go to supper and b.
done with it,"
Pink, with groan, followed the tw'
tall figures out of the store. The In
dian Massacre, ramshackle two
story frame building, was directl.
across the sandy street. The three
stamped over the porch and in at thu
open door. The dining room, contain
ing single long table, was to the lef
Of the office Mrs. Morgan was sit
ting behind the coffee pot, but Hug
led his cohort firmly into the room.
Good evening, Mrs. Morgan" h
said.
Good evening, Hughie. Jessie an
l had given you up"
81 was making up for lost time wit
Uncle Bookie," returned Hugh, sliI
ping into the seat farthest from hi
mother-in-law and helping himself t.
cold beef and fried potatoes Mrs
Morgan looked him over with min
Cling of irritation and affection II
her eyes-the irritation finally dom
mating She was slender, with
small face that was pretty, despit
the thin firmness Of her lips. He
hair was light brown and her eye
were light brown and her skin wal
lightly tanned as the skin of even thu
most careful Fort Sioux woman ha:
to be. She had an eager, darting wa.
Of looking about her. There were
/ fine, nervous lines about her thil
lips, and her chan came to a sharl
little point
Jessie hasn't seen you yet, ha.
she" asked Mrs. Morgan.
1--WE only been home an hour,
protested Hugh.
Bookie chuckled. Hugh. Firs
apology. You're gone up, Hughie
I've noticed that as long as you re
fuse to apologize to Mrs. Pink sht
can't get hand hold. But you've
made an awful break, boy!"
Right! She'll have you hog tiled IL
ten minutes, Hughie," grunted Pink.
Mrs. Morgan turned on her husband
abruptly. There you go as usual
No sense of the fitness Of things. Pool
Jesse!"