-sm&E$mBQsm&as3Z8sg CAPTAIN JIM'S COURTSHIP 1 jjtj.j Rv A. R RICE. Portland ..... M9 . r v w I "" " " (Continual (ruin l.it Week.) Tho meaning of tho whoo strango proceeding llnahcJ through Barbara's mind, ami It appeared so nuicuuuR. eo grotesquely comical that tho culid placed tho lamp on tho floor anil bunt out In wild laughter. Captain Jim looked at her soveroly, which had tho effect of checking a second spasm. "I knows It," remarked tho child, her eyes sparkling with merriment. "I'll Jlst bet It's that old tree n-acrap-In' agin the shed." Ho scowled at her. Ho could scarce ly bellevo his sense. Tho Idea of this child ridiculing his assertion. "I tell you It be n wild beast, thats got In thar. Most likely drovo down from tho heights by tho snow. Dldi t It spring on tow tnoT Lookhora." Soino faint marks showed on his face. "JUt tho tlDa of thorn ferocious claws tetched rao, as I sprung back." Darbara's eyes expanded. 8ho took up tho lamp and looked at his faco. Ho stooped low to facllltato the ex amination. "Well," who said, feign ing astonishment. "I said as how that old trco would scratch somebody some day." Ho didn't relish tho way narbarn laughod at his experience. Angrily seizing a rocking chair he Jammed it against tho table, then turning to her ho said "I should think yor ma'd bo skecrt some, tow bo n llvln" horo alone." "I should opine." replied tho matter-of-fact young mlsd. "Sho wants to go away, but ain't got no rocks." rtnrh.. ithn kin n her nil tho rocks she wants," said Captain Jim, with n tinge or settled determination. "Sho kin?" nsked tho astonished child. "Sho kin!" reiterated he. "Do yor really mean UT" asked Bar bara, still doubting him. "Sartln," replied Jim. At that moment throo distinct knocks wero heard on tho front door. "The's tho old gal herself: I knows the taps." exclaimed the child. Sho placed tho lamp on a chair, then un locked nnd opened tho front door. Captain Jim had como prepared, an ticipating tho possibility of trouble with MacDonatd. His Imagination pic tured him as a powerful, passionate Individual. Had he mado Inquiries ho would probably haro discovered that MacDonald was a mero creation of Barbara's, or rather tho Joint creation of her ma's and Kitty's brains, for tho purpose of hoodwinking him. HU con scientious scruples checked any lean ing toward doubt of MacDonald's ex istence. His belief In Barbara's story, at the tlmo of Captain Tom's surprise party was absolute, so that when the taps sounded on tho front door be fished up a pistol from his back pocket. "Jeot as a precaution," partly to show MacDonald, In caso It was ho and not Annie, who was about to en ter, that ho (Jim. was armod, nnd partly to assure Annie, should It really bo hor, that ho was prepared to pro tect her and tho "chlllun." "Captain Jim here," said Annlo with evident satisfaction, upon entering. "I hurried homo to welcome you." Sho looked about tho disordered kitchen, as though astonished. "Why. what la all this about?" He flourish ed the pistol and frowned be cause ho imagined that under the present circumstances it conveyed an impression of courage "Annie." said he, "don't you bo skcert. You an tho Chilian bo safe." She was about to laugh, but checked herself, and appearing terrified, quick ly nsked, "Why, what is tho mnttor? Why aro'theso things piled against the door? And that pistol?" "Jest a precaution, tbet's all my dear. Thero be cats in tho shed," re plied Jim seriously. "Oh, Jim, you frighten me!" said Annie, und sho added timidly, "aro they torn cats?" Ma turned her back on Jim to conceal her effort to sup press n laugh. Captain Jim replied, "they bo wild cats or cou-Jars, I'm sar tln, but I bo a-goln' tow drive 'om off. though," wiping his brow with a blue handkerchief. "No, no, Jim," pleaded Annie, hor face still averted from him. "They'll kill you. How many are there?" "I swan thar whar two. I folt tho fur when they sprung on tow me," re plied tho dauntless captain. "Oh, Jim dear, are you hurt?" in quired Annie, with admirably affocted concern. "Jest a few scratches, but they ain't nuthln' tew what I'd go through for you dear." "I guess the old gal claw'd him." .aid Barbara, In an undertone. Tho .imark was heard by ma, who cast k sharp, meaning glance at tho child. Barbara understood It and added soft ly, "but I'm mum, I Is, 'causo he's coin' to como down with tho rocks." Annie could not control herself longer, and she burst out In a fit of laughter, which sho con cealed from Jim by turning her faco and wringing her hands as though In anguish. ''What shall I do; oh. what shall I do. And my poor children." Sho rushed off to tho bodroom and shut herself In, Captain Jim rushed after her, hut too late, the door was closed. Ho shouted through tho koyholo, "you put bo calm now, my dear." Barbara watchod the maneuver nnd remarked to herself, "tho old gal is a-plnyin' on him slick." Jim paced the floor In an agitated manner. "It's no use; I hev got tew . tacklo them critters myself, an' tow nnr't. Barb., bring roe a carvln' knife." IAJ 1J r - - - - m "Ain't got no enrvin' knife, (lot n bread knlfo." Sho took n knlfo from a smnll cupboard near tho Htovo and offered It to him. Ho graaped It, say lug. "thot'll do." Ho glanced at Its carving dimensions, tested tta stlffneas nnd felt its edge, but hts agitated mind was evidently tncnpablo of de termining its formidable- character, Barbara suggested tho use of nn um brella. "What for?" ndked Jim. "Why, to skeer thorn cats nwny," re plied tho surprised child. "Open It sudden like, an' they'll Jest scampor off. worse thnn whipped monkeys." "Peers sort o' possible." reflective ly remarked Captain Jim, "give mo the umbrella." Barbara handed him an old umbrella, and asked If ho didn't wnnt something to tlo about his neck, adding ominously, "them cntJ 'most anus do go for a roller a jug lar.". Jim laid tho knlfo nnd pistol down on tho floor, nnd proceeded to examine tho umbrella, saying, "yes, I reckon you bo right. Barb. I shud n-thlnk so." With tho remark, "I'll git aomctbtn." Barbara tripped lightly Into tho bed room nnd quickly returned with ono of ma's old colored walking skirts. "You Jest wrap this 'bout yer neck nn I'll hold tho Inmp." Cnptaln Jim wranped tho skirt about his neck, much as ho would a largo muffler, and feeling some con fidence In his armor ho said, "Barb., you wus born smart, you wus." Barbara grasped tho lamp nnd Impa tiently remarked. "Air you ready? Oh, I forgot, thorn things must bo pulled nway." Sho replaced tho lamp on the floor and removed tho chairs and table, piled against tho door. Jlra gripped tho knlfo between his teeth, hold tho umbrella with his left hand, and pistol with his right, thon said quietly, "I bo ready." At that moment ma looked out from tho bedroom. Tho dlght of Captain Jim in his war paint sent her back with screams of laughter. Barbara angrily shouted to ma, "If you don't stop that you'll scare them cats away." Jim looked at tho child aghast. "Damnod If tho gal ain't a-thlnkln' It be a picnic." Barbara having pushed tho barri cade away, again picked up tho lamp. "Now," said she. "now. whon I open the door you Jest bounce right In there llko a bolt o' Hghtnln. Come closer." Jim began to rcallzo his danger. It must be remembered that ho acted from conscientious motives. It had not occurred to htm that ho encounter ed any but wild animals In the wood shed. Barbara's ridicule seemed to him tho very essenco of Innocence, and It had tho effect of making him very de termined to drive tho animals away. He was also urged on by tho secret de sire to bo regardod by Annie as a hero, yet now, at the moment ho Is about to carry out bis determination, a quail Ing feeling came ovor him, for ho said softly and qulto seriously to himself. "don't reckon thct I dass tacklo them fr-oclous critters with them wecpons alone." Tho child heard htm and stared at him. "What, air you skcert already7 said sho astonished. Captain Jim returned tho child's stare for a moment, thon pulled his hat down over his eyebrows. Ho humped his back and bowed his head lo,w for a rush. "Count three, Barb., I bo a-goln' tew do or dlo for Annlo. I shud a-thlnk so." Barbara seized tho door knob with her right hand, then slowly said, "ono, two, tbrco, go," and pushed open tho door. Jim rushed Into tho shed, spreading tho umbrella and discharging the pis tol right through it, and yelling in tho rcoat frantic manner. When Barbara suddenly pushed open tho door, an Inrush of wind blew out the light. "Gracious," said she, "tho lamp's blow'd out. Whew, It's cold. I'll Jest git a match," and so flaying, she reached out and pulled tho door shut. Finding himself In sudden darkness. Jim backed up against tho outer wall and thon holding tho umbrella In front of him, as a shield, ducked hjs head under It for protection, and veiled "scat," at ovory thrust of his knife, which ho mado first on ono aldo, then on tho other as fast an pos sible. In tho meantime, whilo Barbara leisurely lit tho lamp, ma camo out of the bedroom and asked if Captain Jim was frightened. "I speck' ho id," answered tho child, "anyway ho's n-hollorln' llko n greased pig what's beln' kctched. Harken tow him." "Bring out tho light. Ynp, ynp!" yelled Jim, as ho stabbod tho air with tho bread knlfo. Barbara answered. "I's comln. you old hen." "Bo you a-goln' to be all night a-com-In'?" again called Jim from tho shod. "Scat. Yap, yap!" Barbara openod tho door slowly nnd entered tho shed. "Pshaw, tiler 'alnt nuthln' herd," sho said. Ma had followed the child to tho door, and on seeing Captain Jim's rid iculous position, sank on a chair near tho door, In a spasm of laughter. Barbara sententlously remarked to Jim, "must a druv rom out that door, I gUOtffl." Captain Jim quickly recovered his composure and Maid "I Jest reckon thoy got skcert and skunked off." Ho then cautiously moved to tho shed door and pultcd It shut. "Thar, Annies sick tew," shutting up tho umbrella. "Most llko a faint ed. Thct lectio drap of bra. tllo'll como In handy now, I shud n-thlnk so." ho then added lu nn un dertone. ''Barb., bring mo tho lamp." Sho did nn requested, but ho could not Und tho flask. Ho carefully scrnpod nvmy tho snow, looked behind tho woodpllo, nnd exclaimed. "Damned, It In nlu't gono." HIm astonishment mingled with nngor wns plain. Ho east n ahnrp, meaning look nt tho child. Sho returned his gam nnd natd slowly, "wot's gono?" Ho munrtly Hung tho umbrella on tho woodpile, put tho plHtol In bin pocket nnd proceeded to tho kitchen, saying n bit sternly to Barbara "como In." Captain Jim at onco turned to Annie who wns doubled up on tho chair, do ing hor utmost to control nnd con ceal tho wild fit of laughter that had sulxcd her. Ho bulluvod sho wad "scared tow fits." Ilia storn, ttxod ex pression of countunnnco relaxed, soft ened, nnd gnvo place ro nnxlety. "My Immaculate Annie," ho en dearingly oxclnlmcd. "I 'low'd it wild como night a prostrntlu' you." Ho tenderly lifted her up, cnrrlod hor ncross tho room and gently laid her on tho loungo. Thon thniBtlng his hand In his vest pocket, producod a silver dollar. "Barb., go tow tho nlghedt drug store for somo brandy," bo say. Ing. ho laid tho money on tho table. Barbara replied, "must go tow First street. Alnt no drug stores out this way. Want mo to go now?" "Yes." answered Captain Jim. "nn' git back quick as you kin." "All right." said tho child, ns she picked up tho coin from tho tablo, "I'll Jlst git iny coat nn' fly," "Barb." exclaimed he. flxlng hU eye meaningly on her, "a two-legged crit ter played thct game on me." "Must i-bln ono of them cou-Jars," responded Bnrbara, ".Mum! understand?" cautioned Jim. nt tho same tlmo ho slipped a four-bit piece In her hand. "Thet's fcr Christmas sweets, you an' tho chlllun." Barbara smiled hr-r sweetest -and exclaimed, "all right, papa, mum nlr tho word." 8ho thon hastened to the bedroom for her coat, Captain Jim then removed tho skirt from around his neck and laid it on n chair and placed hid hat on top of It. Ho then placed his hand on An- j nlo's forehead, and cxclalmod, "my , poor uariinv said? "ObTj. I'm 7o "glad you "are M""!"- " -" but. tall-.ntm- tins dally giving tho facta In regard to W vi int nn and Ho was so pleated that he at once tho portion affected with smallpox In sat bcsldo her. "Your own Jim be that city. Now all thone having It are olive yet. my dear." pracllially well of tho dUcaro. It hat "I was so frightened. You will not j,, coududed by tho board that no go away Jutt yet, will you? appealed neci(liity ttXi!t loT the further It.uanco fi"r frgnVothcrBu in"? ahTo .""V? " board fully U. Ho prwted close to her. The Invl- ' town It nowcntlrtlrlrw tatlon to stay a whllo with this fascl- rem tho dleeaw, having had no new natlng creaturo was rapturo Itself. Ho rate tlnco April 27, although there aro nnswercd with enthusiasm; "Annie, now several case In quarantine who I'd be astayln with you 'till reaurrec- wero exposed prior to that tlmo, ami a tlon day If you'd let me. I shud fow of them may yot l stricken down. n-thlnk so." And he gently encircled ij. her waist with his arm. p-rm ilMj, Wanted. "on, Jim, you are so goou ana brave, I do not know bow to thank you." "Jedt give me ono and I shud think rou thanked me a thousand times tew muck," ho replied, loaning over for a kiss. Sho suspected he would attempt to snatch one, and was not deceived, but she forestalled him by artfully lifting a small phial, so that It accidentally rubbed against his nose. He was Immediately seized with a violent fit of sneezing. Upon partial recovery ho said, "Annlo, thct bo a powerful smell." Annlo repressed a smile and explain ed, "only ammonia, Jim, my head ahes so." Barbara, having ineanwhllo entered from tho bedroom, was a witness to tho llttlo checkmating roovo by hor mother. Sho softly coughed. Ma turned quickly and exclaimed In a surprised tone, "Barbara." Tho child replied portly, "you needn't 'pol-l-glzo old fial." Ala frowned and ahnrply rejoined, "Barbara, how dare you." 8ho howev er, quickly altered nor ton, for she saw tho child was dressed to go out, and with unexcelled artfulness, said, "Why, whore nro you going?" Tho answer nppoarcd to astonldb hor, for Barbara replied stiffly, "ask dnd numbor two," nodding toward Captain Jim. A dead silence ensued, which was nt length broken by Jim coughing. He turned nnd dltcovorod Annlo looking nknnco nt him. "now, don't you be ask In' any questions, dear," anticipating hor spcoch and speaking In his most duavo and affable manner. "Thct be my affair. You Jest go right on, Barb.." and he waived his band for hor to go. ... "I'm n-movin' gov'nor," replied tho child. "I am afraid to let you go alone. Wild animal about, too," said ma, and sho looked at Jim. But Jim did not heed tho hint nnd romalnod discreetly silent, with his oye cast to the floor. Barbara proceeded to tho front door, stopped nnd lookod bnck at ma, "oh, I'm not skeert any," replied tho child. "Well, hasten homo ns soon as pot slblo." commanded her mother. "All right." and Barbara passed out into tho darknosa. "Bo you n-feolln' bettor, dear?" asked Captain Jim. "Yes, Jim, but I am In dread of that hatful MacDonald." replied Annlo. "Bo ho a worryln' of you much?" "Yos, Jim," nnd then with n cough, added a llttlo "fib," "Ho followod me tonight, I think." .... Pnntnln .Tim frowned and looked straight nt tho ooposlto wall, saying in nn undertone, "ho bo the vllllnn thet took tbet drap o' brandy." Annie instantly nsBumoa moai sin gular contortions. .... Jim became nlnrmoa, tninKing sne had taken a fit. (To be Continued.) . i I HAPPENINGS HERE IN OREGON PRUIT PROSI'HCTS IN LINN. CROP I'KOSIUICTS Prune Will Yield lilt:, but Pencil nnd Pears are IlllghtcU, Fiult moil report that tlio prune yield In f.lnn county this year will exceed that ol any previous season. Tim numerous large orchards around Albany Imvo lwon covered with blot poms, mid now tho fruit has not sumt fully. Tlio weather has I teen Jutt the kind needed, and nothing hut a Irevxo could now destroy It. Tim young 'rult l too far advanced to bo Injured by (rest, unless they were very heavy and continued for somo tlmu. There will be no peaches nrutiiid here. Of the fruits which may bo coutld ered a crop the yield In pear will prob ably bo tlio light"!, The (tear trees seem to lo blighted. Karly In the reason tho trees were covered with hloiwoins, but Jtut about tho time fur tho fruit to mt the mootoitiH withered and died. It doe not look llko the work cl frost, but Is pronounced bllKlit by orchard lit. Nothing but prolonged cold weather ran prevent tho large! fruit yield In tho history of Linn county. ItllADKO TOWARDS BURNS. Surveyors for Illcctrlc Road Start Out from Baker City. A surveying parly of 1-' people tinder Chief Knglneer Jlowo started from Bakor city recently to survey a route for an electrlo railway from that plare to tho John Day valley and 1'ralrln city. Maor J. U. Bout It having the survey made in tho Interest of tho Oregon Wonder mine. The promoters tay that tho road will nrentually pene- (rate Harney county at far an Burnt, Smallpox Under Control. t-,,. ,,. tiln. .., ,i. i.-..,! ni l...ltl. nff al.ak l ta-.! .! mIu ?" " "' '."." """"J " " "J Farm lian.U In Hattern O retro n are j scarce and farmers aro applying to em- Mlovtnent annuel at Portland lor tnoti. Thero will bo tteady employment throughout the wheat and fruit belt for a great many more men than are thero now, until alter the cropn aro gar nered. Marlon Crop Look Well. A heavy thower of warm rain fell In Marlon county last Saturday and great good will result to all growing rropt. Farmers report crop Konornlly in an excellent condition. Dredges for Oregon Rivers. Tho war department ha nw ardod to the Fcathoratono foundry nnd machine company, of Chicago, a contract for building two dredges for una In Oregon river. They will build ono drodgo for tho Upper Willamette and Yamhill rivers for (26,000, and another for tho Upper Columbia and Knako to cost 123,500, Both dredxea aro to bo ready for use within fix month. Preparing for Log-Rolllng. Tho Woodmen of the World are pro paring to havo a big log rolling n La Orando May 18 and 11), One hnndrod and twonty-flvo candidates will be In itiated Into tho order at that time. The program comprUet a parade of fraternal societies, competitive drill lor a trophy, log chopping and sawing contest. Itodiicod rates have boon se cured on tho railroads. Urtck Yard at Wetton Ruthed. Tho Weston brickyard It working its full capacity, turning out 40,000 brick per day, with more order than it can fill this summer and fall. Lumber and all klndt of building material Is short In this section on account of tho un usual number of now houiei Itolng built at Walla Walls, Pendleton and towns In this soctlon of Umatilla county. Union Depot Bxhlblt. Tiio board of trado of Dallas has tnkon stops to collect material for an exhibit to bo forwarded to tho Oregon Information bureau at tho Union depot In Portland. Tho board has contributed a good sum of monoy for tho purpnoo, and tho county court has contributed (60 for the purposo of acting In concert with tlio board of trado. Offers Fine Library Building. Tho ladles of tho Grants Pas woman's club havo succeeded In getting Mr, Oarnrgio to chango tho amount of his proposed donation for n library In that city from (6,000 to (10,000. Tho citlzons folt that thoy would rather erect a creditable building, ovon though tho cost of maintaining tho library it greater. (lt)OI). Itmtcrii Oregon drain drawers and I'rull. Ruber are Jubilant, Ko far the (rult nnd ufaln prnapoflt for this neamu's crop are exceedingly good In the eatteru part of tint state. The backward season has kept tho fruit back, k that the lato frost linvo not done any serious damage, Grain, es pecially wheat, I looking lino, tavtt for tint need of rain, which would Imv greatly appreciated by the dry land farmer Jtut now. Fruit grower Imvo Into front to fear nlway, In tho lininedlatn vicinity of linker City, but In I'lno ami F.aglo val ley the tenioii I from two to l-jur week ahead of the former neighbor hood and late front, owing to the lowtir altitude, aro nut so much to bo feared, Farmer nd Irulturower, who are prepared to Irrigate, are In clover title heaion, becatiMt them never wa inch an abundance of tnnw lu tho moun tain at there I (hit year. LAN I! COUNTY'S ROADS. Much Labor and Money II Made Them. I'lnett In the State. Tho matter of Improvement of roadt ha received iitortt attention In Jjino county than In any other county In the elate, aud tho In tercet which it now inanlfett In other counties I to a large xteut attributable to tho remit tht havo attended tho wffoitsj In lotto rountv for years patt. Ohrervlng vlt Itort have remarked repeatedly about the condition of tho Ijtne county road at compared with road In othor placet, and Micro remark have reunited In olbor taking up with tho work that- hat proven to ucceful, Clcan-Up on Hydraulic Placer. Borne (700 In gold duit and nugget, tho regular monthly clenu-up of the Kt. Helen A (lallco hydraulic, placer mined, of the Gallce dUlrlct, was brought Into Ortnt i'att a few days ago Thco pUcera have enjoyed a lino run thlt searon, and hate yot tvort weekt of work ahead of them Iteforo their water glvet out. They are build ing a huge toNtrvoIr and enlarging tholr dllchet, with the Intention ol deriving a water tupply whereby their giant ran bo ojMtrated tho whole year through. Wood Supply I Short. There I a very terlout thortago In tho tupply of firewood lu ftalem, and price are certain to bo high thlt turn mer and next winter. There It a pou la bility of what may almott bo a wood famlno, for tho amount of wood that hat been cut I far abort of tho quan tity that will bo needed for home une. A a confluence of thlt condition of affair there will be good money In tho wood butlnett for farmer who havo timber they can cut. Ilattcrn Oregon Normal draduatc. Tho graduating olaaa of tho U'oUm ttato normal tchtxtl next month will contiit of 12 young ladle and gentle men. Kxtentlvo preparation are Iwlng mado for tho commencement ex orclMt. Tho Wcalon col I ego ft ono of the largett, most iinpotlng and com plute school plant lu tho state. Pres ident French will tpnd hit vacation campaigning for an increased tcholar ship for next term. PORTLAND MARKETS. Wheat Walla Walla, 7071o; val ley, 757flc. BarleyFeed, (21.60 per toni brew ing, (23. Flour Bent grade, (3.05(34.25; gra ham, (3.4593.85. MllUtufft Oran, (10 per ton) in Id dllngt, (24; thortt, (10.60320; chop, (18, Oata-No. 1 white, (1.5101.80; grar, (ll.2JKai.15 por rental. Hay Timothy, (13I3.60 clover, (103H; cheat, (11012 per ton, Potatoes Beit llurbankt, 60o per tack; ordinary, 26i0o per cental, grower' price j Merced tweett, (3 A 3.60 per cental. rmiltry Chicken, mixed, lliU2o; young, 13Ho; hen, 12a; turktyt, live, 1017o; dressed, 2022c; ducks, (7.00(37.60 per dozen; groto, (00.60. Oheew Full cream, twlnt, 10K& 17o; Young America, 1717Kaj fact ory prices, llJt'c; lets. Butter Fancy croamorr. 22a 'ner pound; extra, 21o; dairy, 2022ic; store, 10 18c, Eggs 10QI7c per dozen. Hops Choice, 18320a per pound, Woll Volley 12Ji15j KatternOro gon, 814; mohair, 3530c. Beef Grott, cow, 3J4o por pound; steers, 4K6'o; drested, 7?c. Veal 88)c. Mutton Grots, 7Q7)io per pound; drested, 8Q9c. Lambt Grots, 4o per. pound ;(drosted,' 74 o, Hogt Gross, 7QK7o per pound; dressed, 838W. ms!issamsssfr-