Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-86.pdf/454

Rh "Thank you very much," said Emily. "It looks like a beauty. Won't you set it down?"

Thereupon Trainer advanced into the room and placed the melon on a chair. "Is that the new paper?" he asked, looking at the press.

"Yes," said Emily. "Would you like one?"

"I ain't much of a reader," he answered, eying with some misgiving the copy she held out to him. "But I'll take it back to the shop and have it layin' round when folks stop in—jest to show where I stand in this here matter."

He folded the paper and stuffed it into his trousers pocket. Then he gave a tentative little cough. "Ain't there anythin' else I can do to help you folks along?"

I looked up quickly. "Will you help me deliver these papers, Mr. Trainer? The regular men have quit, and I don't know how Mr. Burney'll get them taken to Petersham unless you and I lend a hand. It is n't hard work, but we may get called hard names."

"Hard names don't break no bones," said the blacksmith, with a slow smile. He glanced at Emily, who had bent again to her work. "I reckon you folks need me more'n the shop does to-day. I'm your man for the papers."

"Thank you ever so much, Mr. Trainer!" said Emily quickly; and I could see from his eyes that the smile which went with her words had paid him a thousandfold for the work he had offered to do.

"I'll stop for you at the shop," I said, "as soon as we've got the papers into the wagon. I don't think there'll be any trouble, but you might stick a pistol in your pocket, if you've got one lying around loose."

Trainer nodded. "I kin keer for that," said he. "Mornin' to you all," and he turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

I found Emily standing close beside me, her hand resting ever so lightly on my arm. "Dick, have you a revolver with you?" she whispered.

"Yes; I've been carrying it now for over two weeks."

"Oh, do be careful, please," she went on. "It's terrible to think that any of you may be hurt."

"Was n't Elmer hurt?" I asked, looking across at him, as he stood half hidden by the press.

"Yes, he was, and I'm so afraid the troubles have n't stopped there."

Perhaps I took unfair advantage of her alarm. I could not help myself. I put my hand on hers. "I'm almost glad you're afraid," I whispered, trusting to the noise of the press to hide my words. "Emily, some day I've a lot to tell you!"