White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1935-09-26

AA@AAA6Ss OA~S
twisted possible explanations this way
and that and would contentedly have
continued the pastime had not Eleazer
Croker knocked at the door.
Eleazer could not have chosen more
inopportune moment to drag her back
to earth.
With frown and deep sigh, Mar
cha went reluctantly to let him in.
oval, now amt it nice to find you
by yourself" was his greeting. 'The
kitchen looks cozy as can be. Where
was you settin'?"
IT was in the front room, but per-
haps we better drop down here SO !
can listen in case Mr.. Heath should
CALL"
Anywhere you say. Wherever you
are suits me-
"I'l just run in and put the screen
round the fire and get my mending, .
Marcia replied a trifle uneasily. "I'll
be right back"
| Left to himself, Eleazer smiled a
smile of satisfaction.
| The kitchen was warm, Marcia was
alone and apparently not busy. Gould
circumstances be more propitious? For
tune certainly was with him. Today
this very afternoon, he would take his
future in his hands and put to her
the question he had so often deter
mined to put.
When Marcia came back, he was
prined and ready to begin his declara-
ton
"Weather's been fine, amt it?" he
started out.
Marcia took up her sewing.
"Do you think SOP" questioned she
raising her brows. Seems to me we've
had lots of rain and fog"
oval, yes, now you mention it, de
recall a few thick days. Still, spring
is comm"
It'd like to shingle the south ell this
spring. announced Marcia, giving 6
disconcertingly practical twist to the
conversation. "How many shingles dt
you suppose it would take?"
Eleazer frowned The dialogue was
not proceeding along the lines he hae
mapped out.
"I'd have to reckon that out. It's 6
good notion, though, to make the ell
tight That's what the birds are dom
They're gettin' their nests built an
! kinder pickin' out their mates"
i did not realize you were so much
interested in birds, Eleazer," Marcia
exclaimed. II have fine bird book
! I must lend you. It's in the other
room. I'll fetch it,"
Springing up, she disappeared.
"Drat It'll" mllrmured Eleazer "Could
anything be more exasperatin'? An
me neither KNOWN nor carin' hang
whether a birds robin or a spar
row." He wandered to the window
| ooh, heavens, who's this comm? II
it amt 'Lish Winslow! Now what II
thunder does he want, buttin' IMP"
Eleazer threw open the door.
Before he could speak, however
Elisha, putting and out of breath
bawled:
where in the name of goodness die
you put the engine-house key, Eleazer:
Whipple's hen house is afire an we've
hunted high and low for it."
my soul and body" Eleazer gasped
II clean forgot to leave it. Must be ir
my pocket"
Wildly he began to search.
You're fine head of the fire de.
partment, you are!" roarer Elisha. I'll
you'd put your mind on town business
stead of on Marcia Howe, we'd all be
better off. Traipsin' over here to SEE
her in the middle of the day, palmin
off that telegraph as an excuse Yor
better go straight back to the village
fast as you can leg it an carry the
key with you," went on the accuser
Don't wait for nothin' I'll explain
matters to Marcia"
"But I've got to see her I've got
to speak to her private" protested the