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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1889)
WEST SHORE. 4:tl ' TWIXT GOLD AND SINEW. BOOK TWO PAUT VII. BY C. J. MK8SKR. DON'T you remember Dover?" asked Priscilla, half covering her face with her handkerchief, (i n Hi i:n .. 1 n,,.i...l " And the red-headed innii a-solling gold rings? " added Priscilln, with a giggle. Hill's Hush and a stealthy look at Miranda told that he did remember. Again Priscilla was unable to con trol her mirth. " Here's a pretty go! " snillled Miranda. " Dover V gold rings. There was an exceedingly baleful look in her eye. "I allers s'poHed Mr. Munsey's friends were respectable!" " Are you referring to me, ina'm?" asked Priscilla, in a shrill voice. Her face was Hushed, but not with laughter. " If there's anybody here as the shoo tits, let em wear it! " snapjwd Miranda, starting for the door. " Are you coin' to set there and see your wife in sulted?" asked the now thoroughly ungry Priscilla of her husband. " P'r'aps a little explanation by my friend il liam," sarcastically, "would set matters to rights" Mr. Durkeo answered, sitting very straight, partly from pique and partly on account of the collar which had aggravated his neck into a white blister. (Jh, indeed! " glaring at him. " What do you mean, you big turkey-buzzard? I knew Mr. Munsey seven year ago, aforo I ever set eyes on you, while you was living with your third or lifth or ninth or how many wives you've had! It's no business of yours if I did know him. so crawl in behind that there collar and don't let mo hear anything more from you! I know you, too! " pointing to Miranda. " I know that vou'vo been a scoonin' down on widderers these twenty years, like the old bald ncaaeu engio you nrei , you needn't bluster to me! on amt got a scar o hair of your own, nor a single tooth in yer head! You've missed a dozen widderers, and you re a goln to miss this one! " I aint used to such elegant language, said Mi randa, with tantalizing asperity. " I'll go into the kitchen till yer callers go, Mr. Munsey. " Don't yo let her go," warned Priscilla. " If v want to git rid of her, and ye look os though ye did, ye'd betttT git rid of her now! She's told me how much ye value her," snecringly. " I'll "g won't bother yo with no breach o' promise suit ir she does, I'll go on the stand and say my say, and it my belief she'll lose the case. When a woman gits jealous of a man aforo she's got him, 'n when lies a payin' of her wages, it makes mo ashamed for em. scornfully. . inn " P'raps ye're a little hasty," slighted Mr. Pur kee, meekly. All signs of anger had disappeared from his face. , ... " P'raps you'd better walk round tho burn till you get some sense back." Priscilla returned, icily. " I'm all right now, Priscilla," be said, humbly. " Course I was a fool ter call up anythin' as hn(s nHl when ye was a girl, and as ye say. I think this lady Coprriftilxi IM. aint done jest the right thing by Hill, s'longi Hills payin' o' her wages." " I owe her for a month," put in Hill. He kept his eyes away from Miranda. " I guess I'd better pay her arter what you've said." " Witlum Mmsey; don't ve forgit Miss West s old est bovl" solemnly warned Miranda. " Ho peeked from behind the dttor," explained Hill, nervously. " I don't know but what" " She'll never call on the West boy to testify, said Priscilla. " Don't you be afraid! " eying Miranda dis dainfully. , , Miranda changed her tactics. "Ain't I done every thin' I could for ye. Willum?" she said, tears of dis appointment rolling down her cheeks. " You've done too much," said tho merciless I ris cilia. . , " Arter what this ladv says I couldn t think o keepin'yo longer. Mirandy," said the hypocritical Hill, " I'll pay ye. V this ladv V gentleman 'II n J it. PWs ye'd Water git yer things together, n 1 11 tell the West Imv ter carry ye over to your brother s. Hill never looked at her. He talked with a nerv ous quickness, but went for the money with alacrity. " You're a nieddlin' hussey!" cried Miranda, white ' " Don't call me names!" shrieked Priscilla, spring ing toward her. VVW fulfil " IHiS'T Cl.t Ml U!" Lndies! ladies!" implored Mr. Durkec, stepping iH'tween them. Hill reappeared at (hi meiit. "She was a guin ter strike Priscilla,' said Mr. Durkee in alarm. "She's a violent w.m.an." " You set down!" commanded Priscilla, shar.ly. " I can take care o myVlf." " I'm sorry ye've len insulted In my home, said "ll Miranda ts.k the payment for her services with A very bad grace and slammed herself front the room. Pd take it kindly if ye'd stay till she s gone,' said Hill, with cowardly sinking of his heart. "Course we will!" said Mr. Durkw, no UiW con gratubttory. " Wo come W see ye righted, didn t we, Priscilla? . , , Priscilla turned on him ft bs.k of contempt. " Ye'd belter go along with her." she said. " Mr. Mutiny wants a housckce.er, snd I calculate I can