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"I don't expect to have a thing to do with this un," was the eager reply "But I would just like to see if they really are countin' on a man of that sort tyin' himself on to a lay-out of their stripe Nobody in the valley believed Mr Mostyn had any such intention He was just killin' ti the store, Miss Sally-Lou strode briskly along the hot, dusty road toward Drake's Every now and then a low giggle would escape her lips, and she would put her thin, gnarled fingers to her mouth as if to hide her smile from some observer "John Webb wasn't tuck in by it, I'll bet," she , cool head on 'ih a mill-rock without lookin' in at the hole"

She found John near the front fence, lazily inspecting a row of beehives on a weather-beaten bench

"Think they are goin' to swarm?" Miss Sally-Lou inquired, in her ate and entered

"Wouldn't be a bit surprised," the bachelor returned, as he automatically touched his slouch hat "It is ti 'fore this"

"Has Dolly got home from school?" was the next question

"Yes'o She may be lyin' down She ain't as well as common; she looks sorter peaked; I told 'er she'd better take a tonic o' some sort She's stickin' too close over them books; she needs exercise, an' plenty of it"

"I hate to bother her if she ain't up an' about"--Miss Wartrace had the air of a maiden lady who had as soon chat with a bachelor as feast upon any sort of gossip--"but I'm makin' me a neaist, Mr John, an' I want to ask Dolly if she'd put big or little buttons on She has such good taste an' knohat the style is"

"By all ht sort, Miss Sally-Lou," Webb jested "If they are as big as nats' eyes, stick 'ereat tease," the spinster sin us poor women You make a lot of fun, but you like to see us look our best, I'll bound you"

John's freckled face bore vague evidence of denial, but he said nothing He moved toward the farthest hive and bent down as if to inspect the tiny entrance